High Roller Life Magazine
Lifestyle Portraits:
Commissioning a Portrait Need Not Be A Crap-Shoot
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Portraiture is experiencing a revival, especially with the affluent and upwardly mobile. Understanding the process of this time honored symbol of status and culture will help you enjoy the co-creative process with a professional artist.
Your best poker face, your partner, child, pet, precious object or even that winning hand, can be savored forever in an original work of art. Recognizing someone's interests and efforts, including your own, is probably not as expensive as you might think. You'll be supporting the arts in a very personal way where prices range from quite modest to astronomical, usually based on talent, reputation and popularity. It is a great privilege for any artist to be commissioned to paint a portrait for posterity. Commissioning a portrait, for no other reason than adoration, shows the highest regard for that person, which is often the motivation behind political, judicial, military, academic, religious, corporate and VIP portraits. The new resurgence has seen the trend toward 'Lifestyle' portraits. Honoring an individuals' passionate pursuit can serve as inspiration for the visions we hold of our loved one or ourselves. An unexpected element of my own career portrait is that I have found it serves to remind me of who I am on those days when I am feeling less than at the top of my game. Portraiture asks a ot of the artist. As one of the most historically significant branches of the fine arts, it is also one of the most challenging to master. It is our charge to create a sensitive and compelling work of art that portrays the subject with authenticity. It is my passion to capture the human spirit on canvas. It's an engaging, multi-dimensional experience for both the subject and the artist. As artists, we understand our energy infuses the work to some degree, which is why original works of art enhance a room in a way prints and photographs cannot. One sign of a truly skillful artist is their ability to create an image strong enough to attract a stranger to the painting. |
In choosing a portrait style, whether it's traditional, romantic, formal, lifestyle career oriented, not only is the content and concept important, decisions made in the early stages are crucial to the spirit of portraiture. Once a moment is gone, it cannot be recaptured, so the painting becomes more precious with each passing day. While not traditional portrait styles, "My Secret Garden" reflects a woman's personal connection to her favorite childhood book, whereas "Lance's Armor" captures a moment in a young man's life with a compelling image that is true to his spirit.
Regardless of the type of portrait you desire, first and foremost, pick an artist who's style you like. There area as many styles as there are artists. Establish your budget. Knowing where and how the piece will be displayed will help you determine the size and shape. Think about what you want to achieve visually. Let the artist be creative and provide you with comprehensive sketches prior to starting the painting. Some artists work solely from live sittings, others only photos, while most prefer both. If you want to catch even the most fleeting moment, more are working from on-screen digital images. Every element contributes to how a portrait tells it's story, but the true magic is in the skill of the artist to breathe life into a flat surface.
If you would like to locate an artist by style or proximity, The Portrait Society of America is available to assist you with over 2200 member artists nationally. Dedicated to the mission of educating the public on the industry, they can provide information on various standards of practice. Their ranks include all levels of professionals, from emerging to internationally recognized celebrity portrait artists. Another professional resource is portrait brokers. They present their artists styles to you and escort you through the entire process with a particular artist. - Sonja: 2005
Regardless of the type of portrait you desire, first and foremost, pick an artist who's style you like. There area as many styles as there are artists. Establish your budget. Knowing where and how the piece will be displayed will help you determine the size and shape. Think about what you want to achieve visually. Let the artist be creative and provide you with comprehensive sketches prior to starting the painting. Some artists work solely from live sittings, others only photos, while most prefer both. If you want to catch even the most fleeting moment, more are working from on-screen digital images. Every element contributes to how a portrait tells it's story, but the true magic is in the skill of the artist to breathe life into a flat surface.
If you would like to locate an artist by style or proximity, The Portrait Society of America is available to assist you with over 2200 member artists nationally. Dedicated to the mission of educating the public on the industry, they can provide information on various standards of practice. Their ranks include all levels of professionals, from emerging to internationally recognized celebrity portrait artists. Another professional resource is portrait brokers. They present their artists styles to you and escort you through the entire process with a particular artist. - Sonja: 2005
