Commissioning a Portrait (Traditional or Contemporary)

Dylan 1 Dylan 2

The process of commissioning a portrait is very easy; all you need to do is follow the steps below:

  1. Choose the size of portrait that you require, depending on whether you want a traditional or contemporary painting.  If you require head and shoulders only (normally between 10” x 8” and 16” x 12”) or full body (normally 16” x 12” and above) for traditional, however, contemporary portraits have no size restrictions as the box canvases are usually larger.  Also if there is to be more than one subject this will be added to the cost.  If you require any other sized portrait to those that are shown on my price list then please contact me and I can calculate the cost for you.

  2. Decide what type of medium you wish your portrait to be done in. There is a choice of pencil drawing in either plain graphite or colour on paper or an oil painting on either canvas board or box canvas.  The contemporary portraits are usually painted using acrylics but oils can be used if you prefer, this would be at an extra cost.

  3. Cost is obviously a major factor and is governed by both of the above. You can view my price list and decide which is most suitable for your budget. Any additional costs incurred would be for choice of canvas, if there is to be more than one subject and if you require a background. I have already added postage and packaging onto my prices for UK deliveries, however, deliveries anywhere outside the UK would be extra.

  4. I work from photographs, as I often find that if the portrait required is of a pet it is painted posthumously, so would need the best images that you have available to create a life like portrait. I usually work from one particular image that would be the basis of the portrait and then use other pictures to fill in detail that may not be particularly clear on the main photograph. If you require a background for your portrait then this can either be taken from the main image or I can insert one of your choice.  With the contemporary portraits it is the same procedure but you can choose the colour of your background.  Any photographs that you send to me will be returned to you along with the finished portrait.

  5. Once you have made your decision for the portrait you would like me to do, then you will need to contact me with all the relevant details. You can email me via the website or you can call me directly on 01746 710997 to discuss your requirements. Please feel free to contact me if there should be anything that you are unsure about and I will be happy to help.

Also See

You may also want to read about commissioning an abstract painting.