{"id":1447,"date":"2020-09-15T13:18:40","date_gmt":"2020-09-15T13:18:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/haenleystudio.com\/?p=1447"},"modified":"2020-11-06T08:41:49","modified_gmt":"2020-11-06T08:41:49","slug":"things-consider-oil-painting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/haenleystudio.com\/things-consider-oil-painting\/","title":{"rendered":"Looking to Commission a painting? 5 Tips to consider"},"content":{"rendered":"

We all have a set of expectations in life.<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

When it comes to artwork and commissioned paintings –\u00a0the clearer the expressed expectation, the better the result!<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"how-to-commission-your-portrait\"<\/a><\/p>\n

1. Reference Images <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

As a portrait painter, this is the most important point! I often get requests for portrait painting but the images quality provided are simply unworkable, thus I must decline.<\/p>\n

What constitutes a poor image? Let\u2019s look at some factors.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Low resolution<\/li>\n
  • Dark image, poor lighting<\/li>\n
  • Overly grainy or pixelated image<\/li>\n
  • Blurriness<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Portrait painting can range from a mere resemblance to near hyper-realistic reproductions. If your desire is the later, to achieve this feat you must have a high resolution reference image. Artists typically work from the reference image you provide and zooms in to get the micro-details. Before you submit a digital image for consideration, ask yourself – can I zoom in and see the details?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    \"photographs<\/p>\n

    Think about it:<\/strong> Now, we are easily able to print out our images. Have you noticed? For some printing companies, they require approval of your image before you can print. You\u2019ll often get a warning, \u201cto get a better print, you need a higher resolution image,\u201d especially if you’re printing on a larger scaled item. Think, how much more so, for an artist that\u2019s reproducing your image!<\/p>\n

    It\u2019s always best to submit a high resolution photo. That way, the artist is clearly able to see the image you\u2019re aiming for.<\/p>\n

    However, If you\u2019re okay with art-forms that are more expressive and are closer in the spectrum of abstract art, then your low-resolution image will be just fine!<\/p>\n

    Be clear on what you’re looking for!<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

     <\/p>\n

    2. Expectations<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

    Some of us, do indeed wish we were mind-readers to know exactly what you\u2019re thinking! This would be a great skill in the art industry and not just sci-fi books and shows. Unfortunately, artists are not mind-readers. When requesting commission work, be clear on what you want.<\/p>\n

    Give details, show examples, bring reference images!<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

    Examine previous work that the artist has done, use those as examples and reference sources. Since you can see work they\u2019ve completed before, you can get a general idea of what they do. While many artists have hidden skills and some love a challenge, artists who complete more abstract and figurative work generally don\u2019t do hyper-realism pieces. Some artists enjoy staying in the domain they feel most comfortable in i.e. working with only landscape pieces.<\/p>\n

    It\u2019s okay to ask questions!<\/strong><\/p>\n

    With this consideration in mind, if you prefer a particular style over another, ask the artist if they can achieve that style.
    \nThe digital artwork referenced above was done in a more cartoon-like reproduction style. I took out the background & added splashes of color in its place. Let\u2019s say you don\u2019t like the background in a particular reference image you provide, talk to the artist on how you’d like to replace the background.<\/p>\n

    This could include:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • cropping or removing a person, tree, building etc\u2026<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Having a solid color background<\/span><\/li>\n
    • A blended color background<\/span><\/li>\n
    • A landscape image you provide<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Some may request collages that require merging of reference images. Ask the artist if they\u2019re comfortable doing so! A general rule: anything that requires imagining items or changes incorporated in the commissioned painting that are not present in the reference image – ask the artist if they can achieve the look.<\/p>\n

      Keep in mind the more complex a request is, the more the cost!<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

      Regardless of the vision you have in your mind, clearly express those points to the commissioning artist.<\/p>\n

      3. Artist recommendation<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

      Requesting a commission piece requires some degree of consultation first! Refer back to the previously addressed points; an initial consultation must happen. The artist, having worked in the field of creating artwork generally has more experience than you, the commission agent. Be flexible and take in their suggestions. This doesn\u2019t mean abandoning your vision, it can be achieved through a more ideal route.<\/p>\n

      Personally, as a portrait painter, unless it\u2019s a digital request, all my portrait paintings are done using oil paint. Acrylic paint is cheaper for a number of reasons from oil paint and thereby will be overall cheaper than a commissioned oil painting. However, as the artist, through experience I can confirm oil paint is more suitable for portrait paintings. As the artist, I can readily achieve a near hyper-realism reproduction with oil paint. It\u2019s for example more malleable, great for blending and building needed texture, it gives more of a glossy finish and so much more. Thus, I will refer my clients to oil commissions.<\/p>\n

      When presented with an artist\u2019s recommendation, don\u2019t be afraid to ask questions and perhaps request visuals for the proposed suggestion.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

       <\/p>\n

      4. Time-frame Deadlines <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

      Depending on the medium used, your requested commission will take time to complete. For physical canvases, the drying time for example differs depending on whether the artist used watercolor, acrylic or oil paint. Oil painting has the longest drying time of the 3 mediums mentioned, it can take anywhere from days to months to fully dry. Acrylic paint dries within minutes after it\u2019s applied to the canvas.<\/p>\n

      \"compass With these points in mind, do the following:<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • \n
          \n
        • be clear if you have a deadline to meet<\/li>\n
        • Give time for the work to be completed<\/li>\n
        • Make request months in advance<\/li>\n
        • Ask the artist to provide a time-schedule<\/li>\n
        • For physical reproductions, anticipate drying time delays<\/li>\n
        • Plan for added shipping and delivery time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          5. Keep an open mind. <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

          The final product may not be exactly as you envisioned it. But hey you might just like it!
          \nTo prevent complete dissatisfaction, ask the artist if they\u2019re able to provide previews along the process. It\u2019s best when the piece is just about 2\/3rd complete.<\/p>\n

          Working in oil for example, the beginning stages of an artwork doesn’t look like much and for an inexperienced eye can be disappointing to look at, but don\u2019t lose heart! There\u2019s more work to be done!<\/p>\n

          If you\u2019ve requested a portrait commission, ask the artist if they can send you an update picture. Set parameters, like an update of the face near completion. Give feedback about the background then take a seat back and wait!<\/p>\n

          Often, before surrendering the completed work to you, the artist will ask if you want an alteration. Be aware, depending on what you ask, there might, be an additional cost.<\/p>\n

          Let\u2019s look at this scenario:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

          The artist completed the physical painted canvas and presented it to commissioning agent A.<\/p>\n

          A says: \u201cThis is beautiful, but I want the person to be centered more in the middle of the canvas.\u201dThe portrait painting does indeed, visibly leans more towards the left or right side of the canvas.<\/p>\n

          This modification request is impossible to do, without starting from scratch. You, the commission agent, might either have to pay for another commissioned piece or another alternative might be to get 2 other commissioned pieces with similar sized canvases (height remaining the same, but a smaller width) and add it to the overall painting set. The original painting will be in the middle and the other two be on its sides.<\/p>\n

          Commissioning a painting is exciting!<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
          \n

          Remember to be clear and transparent about your expectations and the vision you want to accomplish.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n

          Follow the steps above and that\u2019ll increase the likelihood of walking away thoroughly satisfied.<\/p>\n

          May your painting visions come to life!<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

           <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          We all have a set of expectations in life. When it comes to artwork and commissioned paintings –\u00a0the clearer the expressed expectation, the better the result!   1. Reference Images As a portrait painter, this is the most important point! I often get requests for portrait painting but the images quality provided are simply unworkable, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1583,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nLooking to Commission a painting? 5 Tips to consider - Haenley Studio<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/haenleystudio.com\/things-consider-oil-painting\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Looking to Commission a painting? 5 Tips to consider - Haenley Studio\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"We all have a set of expectations in life. When it comes to artwork and commissioned paintings –\u00a0the clearer the expressed expectation, the better the result!   1. Reference Images As a portrait painter, this is the most important point! 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