Client request for nude commission
 

Recently, I attended a show of a friend of mine who paints landscapes. While at the show I had the opportunity to chat with many of the guests. During a conversation, my friend introduced me as a portrait artist to a woman who took quite an interest.

After the group mingled elsewhere, she informed me that she would like a portrait painted of her completely nude. She was excited and more than happy to pay top price. However, after further discussion, I found out she wanted to surprise her husband with the painting. Hmmm... Well, she finally ended her speech and asked what I thought. So, my questions for her were, 1. Where will you hang this painting? Her reply: In the living room, I'd be proud of it. (Of course, why didn't I think of that) 2. What will you do when company comes over? Her reply: Oh, put it in the bedroom...on a wall.....no....behind a door....or in a drawer. 3. What will your husband think of you posing nude without his OK? Her reply: Well?

I laid out some design ideas and explained some posing tricks that would allow her the "suggestive look" she was looking for yet, still give her a tasteful, artistic rendering of her. She could hang it anywhere in her home and I may still get referrals from it. I want as many people as possible to view my paintings. I would shudder to think that my hard work would have to be hidden every time someone came to the door.

Dear Morris,

I think I would approach this client the same way that I might approach any client: try to understand how she want to have her image conveyed, what she might have in mind, what of her physical appearance (no difference, face or body), she likes best. You might offer the option of shooting true nudes as well as more "boudoir" images.

I don't think you should worry about what her husband thinks, as long as she is happy, he will be, too ( or regret saying otherwise). I also don't think you should worry about where it might hang. If she is happy with the painting, she will be sure to show it to others.

What I do think you should think about is the non-refundable down-payment you require when you take the photos. This I say from personal experience. Some years ago I wanted to do the same thing for my husband. When I saw the photos I was aghast! I thought, "Who is that woman and what is she doing in my living room!?" I decided not to go forward with the commission. While I think I could trust myself to know how I would want my figure to be perceived, I just wasn't sure that a middle-aged male painter, no matter that he was very highly skilled, could udnderstand what I would want from him.

Just a brief reminder about the Forum's No Nudes policy, regarding the posting of nude images. You might take a look at some of Pino's semi-clothed images which are very lovely. I will hunt for a link later today.

Chris,

Great suggestions. Of all the figure classes I've taken, this is the first request I've had to deal with. Your ideas will be a great help. Also, something I failed to mention....later, I met her husband and he is a past business affiliate. I'm sure it would have been a very big surprise.

And I have about a two year jump on you with Pino. I read the story of his life, and have been viewing his paintings. I really enjoy going through his inventory.

Also, I am very aware of the policy here for nudes. I'm not really sure they fall into the "portrait" category anyway.

Hi Morris,

I would first research paintings of nudes to be able to show the woman the kind of tasteful, graceful work you have in mind for her.

Unless your client is very sure of her husband's gentle nature, I'd try to convince the woman to involve her husband in the process. He could either supply ideas or be there for the actual photo shoot. I know a sculptor who always has a third party in the room when he works with women.

My other advice is to be sure you would be able to find the woman attractive and to paint her that way. Personally, I think this is a key, visceral component of any good portrait painting. "Attractive" doesn't mean perfect or young. The older your client the more compassion you should show to her. I'm sure you'll do a wonderful job.

I second Linda's suggestion. I'd be wary about how you approach the photo shoot and the actual posing. There are people out there who might conceivably expect an intimate encounter as a side benefit to the production of the portrait, especially with this theme, and in today's litigious society you should tread carefully. Having worked as a psychologist in public schools until I retired a few years ago, I had to learn to keep barriers up and to call for backups when a situation looked as though it had the potential to blow up. It's very sad when one can no longer put a reassuring hand on a child's shoulder, but we were constantly being advised not to do so. Similarly, male psychologists or social workers avoided transporting female students without a third person along.

That said, it sounds like an interesting commission and I'll be interested in hearing how it goes. Do keep us posted!

Yes, yes, and again, yes.

A third party is a must! This is keeping with professional standards that are almost unique to this industry. I've worked and learned this from Cable Spence in his figure classes. He is strickly serious about the work and how to properly hold the classes.

I won't show the painting here (or maybe not the whole painting), but I'll let everyone know how it goes. It may be a good topic for instruction.

Whew! I'm glad to hear that this advice is already out there and widely recognized.

As the commission proceeds, why don't you give us a link to your site and do previews for us. Unless that, too, is against forum rules? Michele?

Links to sites with nudes are okay.

Great thread, I've always felt that nudes or any part of the body can be considered a portrait. Even a picture of someone's hands, I would consider a portrait of the person. Let's say at an extreme, a picture of old hands, slightly curled due to pain or some type of deformity, can be a portrait of my grandmother. I think once the picture is about something beyond the person, then it may fall from being a portrait. If the pic were meant to be obscene, and the obscenity is more important than the model, then it may no longer qualify as a portrait. Unless ofcourse, being obscene is the person's personality. :o

I have someone interested in posing nude just to have for herself, ofcourse I get to take pictures to use for my own portfolio. I would definitely consider them portraits as I always try to stress the person's personality through the work. Just my opinion ofcourse.