Jun 06 2012
Accepting the Challenge
Mr. Put-My-Parents-In-This-Picture also wanted to discuss price and size of his commissioned oil painting. Since I am tuned in to the business of art, I have a price list based on size. It doesn’t include added surcharges for rush jobs or requests to put one’s parents in the picture. Instead of negotiating for a price, the decisions are in the hands of the customer. How big? Then it is this much. Easy!
Mr. Put-My-Parents-In-This-Picture (PMPITP) pointed to a painting in my studio and said, “That’s what, $200? You can do it that size, right?”
Umm, no, it is $500.
Mr. PMPITP: “Well, could you do it for $300 if I paid you cash up front?”
Am I selling used cars here?? Umm, no. And I’d only like half down, thanks.
Mr. PMPITP: “What size can you do for $300?”
First, how about if we settle the issue of putting your parents in the picture? I’ve never painted a face, and when I accept portrait commissions, I charge a TON of money because it is REALLY REALLY hard to capture a likeness. And, I NEVER draw a face smaller than an egg.
Much discussion ensued. Here is the result so far:
Oil painting commission in progress
This is after 2 days of fretting and sweating. Things always look terrible the first several passes over the canvas. More will be revealed in the fullness of time.
Have you ever regretted accepting a challenge? (I’m not saying I regret this. I think.) Want to share here?
This project is looking good so far, Jana. You will do your best I know. Perhaps you could practice the faces on another swatch of canvas to figure out colors to use to get the skin tone and likenesses, etc? I remember when I was doing the portrait of my g-grandmother, my instructor showed me that doing the “layering” is better than just trying to mix the correct tone at the git-go. Your are really improving in your technique; stay true to it.
Thank you, Sophie, for your encouragement and for sharing your experience. Layering is my only hope for success in this project!