Original Art
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Ordering A Portrait
Nothing can capture someone's essence quite like a portrait. It can also be a very special gift, treasured possession and future heirloom. The task of commissioning a portrait can seem quite onerous to someone who has never had their portrait created before, but it is really quite easy if you take the time to prepare and build a good creative relationship with the portrait artist of your choice.
Lead time can vary enormously. You can get a very nice pastel portrait done in less than an hour or wait a decade for a work in oils by a famous artist. You can pay from $25 through to $250,000. The best way to start is just to do a search on 'portrait artist' on Google and look through the portrait artists' portfolios that appear to get feel for the media and style of portrait that you most like. Typically, graphite pencil or pastels will be at the bottom of the price spectrum and oils at the top.
The artists' websites will give you an idea of their lead time and other requirements such as whether or not they will require personal sittings. If the artist lives a long way from your home it is customary to reimburse any expense they incur in travelling to your home for sittings. It could be that they need you to come to their studio instead. If you are getting the portrait done for a loved one, the sittings will obviously remove any element of surprise, unless the entire process is part of the present you are giving them. Alternatively you can choose an artist who works from photographs.
It is vital to establish a relationship of mutual respect with the portraitist of your choice from the outset. A written contract is vital in achieving a mutual understanding of the prerequisites and deliverables. A deposit of up to half the cost of the portrait will normally be requested. The deposit is to safeguard the artist as your portrait will not be saleable to anyone else should you default. Stage payments are a possibility with larger, more complex pieces. It is normal for the artist to retain copyright, but this can be purchased in exceptional circumstances. Modern giclee printing technology means that you can have affordable prints of your portrait to give to friends and relatives.
Where photographs are to be used, these need to be of good quality. The best way is to have them taken professionally. A good artist will want you involved every step of the way and to sign off on each change as it is requested. This is vital because some media make it very difficult or even impossible to make changes. With some media, oils for instance, you can literally change everything, but this will be the equivalent of commissioning a new work and provisions to charge for such changes will be incorporated in the contract. A close liaison with the artist should prevent the need for changes arising. Furthermore a good relationship between artist and client can last a lifetime and result in many more treasured possessions and heirlooms.
Other considerations include how the finished portrait will be packed and shipped, how it will be framed and even where it will be hung. There is no point in having a large, multi subject portrait commissioned if the recipient has nowhere to hang it. A small portrait may well fit into the recipient's home much better - particularly if they have a den or study. Although pigments have become more lightfast over the last few years, it is a very good idea not to hang a portrait in direct sunlight, even at northerly latitudes.
If you build the relationship with your artist and follow the process step by step, the result will be a wonderful gift and a possession that will be cherished for generations.
Copyright Johanna C. Pieterman 2011.
Who copies original art work?
I have a friend who is an artist. He would like to make reproductions of original works to sell.
He can not use places like Staples and photo shops because they would like to copy digital work (like a photo).
Is there a place where he can take or ship his art work to be reprinted any size?
His artwork is on canvas, how do we transfer them into prints to sell?
Any professional printer can make reproductions of original work based on a good photographic transparency or high-res digital image.
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