Art World New York-Family Portrait Commissions-David Pena-Elinore Schnurr

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Commissioning A Portrait

Most people seldom think about the process by which a portrait is commissioned and painted. It is important for you, as the subject or sitter, to think of the portrait as a reflection of your personality, encompassing your physical likeness, character, gesture and expression.

Being a sitter does not require any special skills or expertise. You will want to relax, be yourself and project your most positive character traits. Ask questions and share your insights about the painting in progress with your portraitist, family and friends.

There are four basic procedures involved in crafting a fine portrait:

1) Painting exclusively from life sessions.

2) Combining limited life sessions with photo reference and correspondence.

3) Exclusively from photo reference.

4) Photo reference with body double as figure model. (This method is appropriate in posthumous portraits or where sittings are impossible and photographs limited.)

How long does one sit for a portrait?

The length and exact time of sittings varies. On average, an oil sketch can be completed in 90 minutes; with photographs to supplement and chronicle this procedure, much can be done in this format. Correspondence on the progress of the portrait via Email, maintains your involvement throughout production to completion. Barring photography, the average portrait painted from life sessions requires approximately three to ten days, depending on complexity. Each process provides you with an active role in the portrait's production, allowing you and others to monitor the portrait through all the phases to completion.

What can you, as the sitter and subject of the portrait, do to make the process of life sittings more enjoyable?

Engage in conversation with the artist, have friends or family visit after sessions, listen to music or books on tape and take intermittent breaks.

Does the artist travel?

Yes, as your surroundings very often reflect your personality. Sittings can also be scheduled at the artist's studio.

FAMILY PORTRAITS

Eunice Lotter with Daughters
by David Beynon Pena

The Coster Family Portrait
by David Pena

Howell Heflin (former Senator)
by David Beynon Pena

Renee
by David Pena

David Beynon Pena, Portrait Artist, does large oils that render his subject in lively and life-like vividness.

David Pena's paintings display an easy familiarity with his materials, his fine sense of color and broad brush strokes lending his work a look of spontaneity that can only be attained after long hours of studying one's craft.

There is an immediacy and a "sense of place" in his motifs -- whether of interior, or town landscape -- that strongly suggests on-site studies, an at-home familiarity with the subjects he chooses

Portrait of
Jameson Morgan
by Elinore Schnurr

Elinore Schnurr, Portrait Artist, has made many paintings on location during her travels. Occasionally, a patron would request that he or she be included in the painting. This has led to many casual portraits on commission.

This oil on canvas shown is 12" x 16"in size. Elinore charges $1,800 for a portrait of comparable size.

Portrait of Issac
by Elinore Schnurr

The Artist and his Dog
by Elinore Schnurr

Elinore Schnurr, Portrait Artist: "A portrait, to me, is a dialogue between the sitter and myself, the artist. I seek, step by step, to capture the sitter in visual terms, a sort of magical procedure whereby various aspects of the sitter reveal themselves and are captured as the portrait moves along.

"I came to make portraits through the discipline of figurative painting. My strength in portraiture lies in merging the painterly qualities of composition, mass, color and line with the ability to capture a likeness.

"Except for single head portraits, I prefer to work on location in the place of the subject's choosing, usually in the subject's home. I usually start with a photo session to determine the best pose and location; photographs are especially useful when dealing with groups. Color studies and life sittings may take place as the painting moves along. Live sittings depend on the client's time and access. I take the painting as far as I can to finish, share it with the client and make any adjustments that are necessary."

Prices vary with size, type of portrait (three-quarter, full body, etc.), number of people involved. Please EMAIL Elinore Schnurr through this web site for price list and/or discussion of an individual commission.

Portrait Painting is a reasonable
and natural consequence of affection.

21st Century Portraitists with their probing of human character.

Gretta Waiting
by Anna Feld

Portrait of Myron Heise
Anna Feld,
Portrait Artist

Georgette Contemplating
by Anna Feld