Commissioning a Portrait Sketch.

Effective communication with my customers is essential to creating a successful portrait. When you commission a portrait, we’ll discuss your vision to ensure it aligns with your expectations, and I’ll assist you in selecting a suitable photo for reference.

This website features a comprehensive guide to commissioning a portrait. It includes tips on capturing suitable reference photos and detailed information about the entire process, from start to finish.

The Process

For many of my customers, commissioning a portrait is a completely new experience and can feel a bit uncertain. To make things easier, here’s an overview of the portrait commissioning process.

01

Feel free to reach out with any questions or to request a quote—I'm always happy to chat without any obligation. If you choose to proceed, we’ll discuss the details of your portrait, such as size, pose, and other preferences, via phone or email. Take a look through the gallery and let me know if any specific portraits resonate with the style you have in mind.

02

Take several photos to provide a well-rounded view of the subject, so we can select one key image for me to work from. I’ll need a high-quality picture taken with a digital camera (rather than a phone) that is clear and close-up. You can find detailed guidance on choosing suitable photographs here or through the links at the bottom of the page.

Once you have some potential options, email them to me, and we’ll discuss which one works best. It often takes several conversations or emails to finalize the reference photo, but this is an essential part of the process and well worth the effort. Once we’ve chosen the key photo, I’ll start working on the portrait. Typically, no deposit is required until you’ve seen and approved the finished artwork, depending on the nature of the commission.

03

When I believe the portrait is nearing completion, I’ll create a scan and email it to you for review. This gives you the opportunity to assess the likeness and let me know if there’s anything you’d like adjusted. I’ll make any requested changes and provide updated scans for your approval. Once you’re completely satisfied, you can make the payment, and I’ll promptly send your finished portrait to you.

Choosing a Picture

Some people prefer to choose a favorite photograph of their child looking straight ahead with a cheerful smile for me to work from.

Others might opt for a more thoughtful and contemplative expression, capturing the child in a quiet moment. This approach can create a unique and artistic feel, offering something different from a typical photograph. Consider poses such as looking downward, gazing off to the side in a three-quarter view, or glancing back over the shoulder. Browsing the drawing gallery can provide inspiration with various examples.

Choosing the Pose

Choosing the pose for your subject is entirely a personal decision—there’s no right or wrong answer. It’s about how you want the subject to be represented. If the subject is your child, think about what aspect of their personality you’d like to highlight.

How to take a great picture:

-Natural light works best for capturing clear and detailed photos, as artificial light can often cause graininess.

-Take your photos outdoors, but try to avoid very bright sunlight, which can make the subject squint and create harsh shadows.

-Don’t worry about the background—I’ll disregard it unless you specifically want it included.

How many photos do I need?

I create a detailed copy from one main photograph to achieve a highly accurate likeness of a subject I haven’t met in person. I’ll work closely with you to select the best image for this primary reference.

That said, a single photo can occasionally be a bit misleading. To ensure I capture the subject’s full appearance, it’s helpful to have a couple of additional photos for reference.

  • Depends on which medium i use, and the size of the portrait.

    Usually my quicker medium is either acrylic on board, or graphite which usually takes a week.

  • No, I value the customer’s privacy, unless they ask, then I might decide to post it.

  • I initially developed my drawing skills through life drawing classes with nude models, so I’m comfortable working with such subjects as long as they are tasteful and not explicit. Rest assured, I handle all reference photographs with the utmost discretion and will delete them completely once the portrait is finished.

  • After communicating with the customer about sizing and medium using, itll be easier to advocate the pricing.

  • My most preferred mediums are graphite and acrylic. However, I have been learning watercolour and charcoal.

  • If you leave near the Cardiff county, then yes, however it would be easier to just through the post.

  • I have only been doing portraiture for 3 years, so my skill improves each portrait I do.

  • No, I mainly intend my portraits to be monochromatic as I think they are more effective and can include more detail.