A percentage of WHAT? What the selling price will be? Sells for $3000, he gets $300? something like that? I think he charges about $300-$500 for full rights to the photos already...that may not be very appealing to him. This is the first time I've used someone elses ref. photos, but at least I went about it the right way..I found online something that I really loved and then contacted him, made him aware of what I wanted and got to this point without paying a dime. But, although I assured him I would not sell it, I am regretting that statement. I do believe I'm going to go back to him about this.

Knowing how much he charges, do you still say a percentage and if so, what percent? again, do you mean that percent of the selling price?

I'm getting a little ahead of myself..I need to see if I can even pull this thing off first!

Percentage of sale, yes. You're not asking for full rights (I assume you mean transfer of copyright, correct?) - just rights to use the photo as artistic reference, and sell the resulting painting.

I don't really know how to work the deal, though. Maybe someone else can advise you.

If I could offer my spare change ...

Regarding the size of the painting - I would paint the cropped version large, giving her generous room on all sides. More room than your cropped version indicates.

If you will calculate her head to be life size, say something in the 7" range, then let the rest of her body be driven by that head calculation. After doing that, give her plenty of room on all four sides and then you'll have it. Don't worry about the standard canvas sizes, in my opinion I think this may calculate to be something un-standard.

Mike,

Thanks for your suggestions about sizing. This photo has only been released to me to use as a reference from the photographer, not to sell. I know, I know....it's all I've got at this point, lol...Therefore, It very well may be hanging in my house for the rest of my life....That being said, and also knowing that I have standard ceilings in this house...this painting will not be done life size, :) My house has to be able to accomodate it, somehow! :sunnysmil

I've chosen 24" x 30"....small, I know, but the largest I've done so far...remember, I'm relatively a beginner..in fact, this will be my 2nd oil painting of a human being! My first one, Rebecca, turned out pretty nice, so I'm gearing up for this attempt to see if I can come up with something nice.

I've started this today, in fact, and am heading to the WIP oil thread to post today's progress...keep an eye on me...it looks like you are a pretty seasoned artist and I love eyes on my work. It truly helps refine my pieces, especially at this early stage of my career...I'm like a living sponge! I soak up anything and everything I set my eyes on to help to progress and develop this gift of art that I have been given. When you get time, skip over and check out what I've done with this photo.

Thanks again!

I'm still trying to come up with a strategy of how to handle this...hey, I have to see if I pull this painting off, first. I'm doing something MUCH different than I'm used to! Thanks for the tips! I started this painting today and am headed to post it in the WIP oil forum here.

Thanks!

FINALLY got back to this painting...need it finished and framed by May 1st!!

(p.s. I know there are shoulder issues, width needs to be fixed, they aren't correct yet.)

Monique,
Wow! This is only your second human figure? You will be bowling people over in the future. This painting has a great presence. You are handling the subject with a great deal of feeling. It goes beyond a depiction and into the soul. Well done. Can't wait to see the finished product.

In oils, that is...I've done a hand full of watercolor portraits, but this is my second OIL person...did a few flowers for a friend for her kitchen, but I'm enjoying the portraiture side of oils tremendously!! Thanks so very much for your comments!

Richard, I can't believe I posted the painting in this thread, I didn't even notice it was the ref. photo thread, not the WIP or any kind of painting thread! I am doing a WIP on this in the appropriate place on here (oil portrait WIP) and it will be there that you can check my progress on this painting. I just posted an update where I started the background. I apologize for incorrectly posting the painting on this particular thread!! I'll pay closer attention next time.

Thanks again for your comments and you can jump over there to check my progress.

Monique