Portrait "Mr. C. Vaghts"
 

Ok, here goes. This portrait is a writer and I was sent 2 horrible reference photos. The client is a collector of mine. I will post the digital photo, but I did not scan the other. The second one shows the man about 15 years younger. They wanted me to see if I could make him look a bit younger since in the present-day photo he looks older than he does in person. This is true, I have met him. Not to mention that he is quite ruddy-skinned, not so light as the photo. The angle of the shot seems to make his head look smaller than it is, so I simply tried to lightly add more hair. I am not sure how I suceeded, since I am quite sure I should not have taken the commission in the first place. I had no clue what to do with that back chair leg. Go ahead, hit me with it!

I almost forgot, it is oil, 20x24"
Here is the primary reference photo

Kimberly, I know you could do some great portraits if you took your own photos. When clients ask if I can do a portrait from a photo they provide, I always turn it down.

Check out the threads in the reference photo section of this site and you will see some very useful suggestions on how to photograph your own subjects.

Michele,

Thank you for responding.

I agree that I should turn down the commissions that are not perfect, but sometimes 'baby needs new brushes.'

You're right, the reference photo threads are very informative. I am still trying to read all the posts, there is a lot of information there.

Having a high quality reputation and high quality portfolio pieces are much more important to you as a portrait artist in the long term than the money that a portrait that is not your best work would gain you in the short term. And a portrait out there in a collector's home that falls far short of what you could be cabable of can haunt you for years!