Commissioning a Painting

Portrait commissions are one of the things I most enjoy doing. It is always fascinating to spend time with a portrait sitter and try to capture in paint, in what may need to be a very short time, some essence of their personality.
Despite often using photography for reference I much prefer to paint from life as I do for my self-portraits. The animation of the sitter, the constant minute facial movements and changes in expression are nuances impossible to capture in single image photography, but play a large part in the success of a good painted portrait.

Commissioning a portrait can be quite daunting. It is important to think through carefully what you, the sitter, want or expect from the experience and to discuss this thoroughly with the artist. I often find it useful to meet the subject first and get to know them and their ideas a little before work starts in the studio or in the person's home.

If you would like to discuss the possibility of commissioning a painting please email me or call me at (858)780-9552.