Commissions
The Portrait
When painting the portrait, my style is based on the traditional oil painting methods of the old masters. Using these techniques can take time as the picture is painted in several different stages. From the initial drawings and underpainting before moving to the dead colour stage and first and second painting stages. This is then followed by various layers of glazing and fine detail, before applying a varnish.
I work with artist grade oils only and am happy to work on either canvas or wooden panels. Oil painting is the undisputed & deserved leader of painting techniques. Today, thanks to it, centuries later we can still see many of the greatest paintings from the past.
Clients usually approach me to commission a portrait for themselves, members of their family, acquaintances or even their family pet.
Whatever the portrait, whatever the reason, I am happy to discuss the process with you.
Step 1: Get in touch
First thing to do, is get in touch. We can discuss your initial ideas & requirements over email or phone or, if convenient, you are more than welcome to visit me at my Belfast or Donegal Studios. During the initial chat I should get an idea of the following…
The sitter or sitter’s who are being painted
Composition ideas (e.g. head & shoulders, half length, full length & background etc)
Canvas size and shape
Whether the portrait is to be painted from life or a photograph
Potential dates for sittings & approximate timescale for painting to be completed
After finalising the brief, I will be able to provide you with a quote and client agreement that will detail the full cost of the portrait along with any agreed expenses.
Normally I ask for 25% of the commission fee to be paid before I start the painting or prior to the first sitting. This is followed by remaining 75% when the painting is completed
When you are happy with the quote and client agreement the first sitting can be organised for a time convenient with the sitter, or I can begin the painting if working from a photo you have provided.
Step 2: The Sitting
Painting from a photograph
If you would like your portrait to be painted from a photograph, I always advise that we meet up for a sitting where I can take some planned shots. This means I can carefully plan the pose, composition, and lighting so I have the best reference images to work from.
If photographs can’t be taken in person, or the location of my studio is too far to travel, then I can work from your photographs. You can email me your photographs and we can discuss what areas you may want kept in, taken out or changed. In some cases, I can work from different photographs and incorporate in the same painting. I require good quality images to work from.
Painting from Life – Sitting for a Portrait
At the first sitting I will typically make initial reference sketches, take photographs, and potentially complete a colour study in oils. The portrait composition will be planned further considering lighting and a potential colour strategy for the piece.
The following sittings will work through different stages of the portrait generally working from larger forms through to the modelling of lights and details.
Depending on what we have agreed and the sitter’s availability I may work on the painting from reference photographs in between sittings.
Framing
Throughout the process, I will be happy to offer you framing advice and if you prefer, I can also oversee the framing of a portrait with one of my recommended framing partners. This will incur an additional cost that we can discuss at the time.
Other Commissions
For any enquires about getting a commission of a Landscape, Seascape, Still Life or Old Masters reproduction, please get in touch.