How Commissions with me work

Commissions can be a challenging experience, and I take on very few. I have detailed a bit about my procerss in order for you to decide if this is the right fit for you. Ultimately, commissions are best decided upon through discussions with me.

1. I retain all creative and compositional control. It is fine if you have ideas, and reference material, but ultimately I have to be the one that considers how the piece is best put together. Although you may have many good ideas, there are a lot of things I don't do, and that won't read well in painting.

2. I often get asked if portraits can be painted with the sitter smiling. In general, no. Smiling is something brought on by modern photography, and I don't typically find that it works well in painting. I define what I am willing to do as a "pleasant expression". Humans experience many emotions, and I opt to paint many of the other ones that photography is less capable of.

3. Commissions can take time. I only am able to take on one or two per year. If you need something urgently, your price may change. The more time you can give me, the better.

4. Look at my other work. If you don't like it, you will likely be unhappy with a commission.

5. I generally need to meet the person I am painting and take my own photographs for reference material.