- Portrait Procedure

A portrait is a quality production of the most personal nature. Therefore, it’s very important to meet with the prospective client to discuss the parameters of the work to be done. What pose, what background and what mood are to be portrayed? How large will the completed piece be and where will it eventually hang? After discussion of these issues, the feasibility of a series of live sittings is explored. For those blessed with an abundance of time, I am always willing to do the vast majority of work from a sitting. This is preferred as greater personal contact eventuates in a richer experience. However, due to time and circumstance this may not be possible and in such cases a photography session is suggested. This takes approximately one hour.

Upon review the quality elements are determined and potential directions can be explored. These can be clarified with thumbnail sketches that foreshadow the completed work. As direction begins to take form, I can create a more detailed rendering, in color for pastel and oil projects. This foreshadows the final piece that much more.

At this point I retire to the studio to advance and complete the commission. Interested parties are welcome to visit in order to see the progress being made. As the project nears completion, it’s helpful to work from a live sitting. This tends to breathe added life into the piece. For posthumous portraits, or whenever necessary due to circumstance, I am able to work entirely from a photograph. Likeness is absolutely guaranteed!

- Custom Portraits

Highlighting one’s career, passion, hobby or business is the inspiration behind the custom portrait. A sitting or photo is combined with other elements for a broader personal statement and representation. Due to compositional issues, these portraits tend to be more head and shoulder representations. As with the portrait procedure outlined above, a series of sittings or a photo session can be arranged. Whatever else is desired to augment the portrait can usually be facilitated with existing photographs.

- Animals and Pets

Animal and pet commissions are done by photograph only. Over the years I’ve found that most animals are averse to posing at length in a studio and following directions. Photos can be supplied to me or a photo session can be arranged. If a photo is given to me, I am not bound by its apparent limitations. By this I mean that I can remove other elements not pertaining to the commission be they extraneous people or other animals. A different, more desirable background can be substituted for a more pleasing overall look.

Please feel free to contact me for more information.