Portrait Artist Forum - View Single Post - How to get the in-come coming?

Sharon Knettell · 09-26-2004, 05:06 PM

Melanie,

I am probably not the one that should be replying here, but I really admire your work. It is so sensitive, human and honest.

It is, as I know, really difficult to survive doing figurative work these days.The only option that pops up, it seems is portraiture. Perhaps it is my personality, but I could not get beyond allowing the client control over my work. I did NOT care if the client liked my picture, I had to like it. I did and occasionally still do get a decent buck for a portrait, but the final straw came during a commission but a very prominent and wealthy Newport couple. They swore up and down that they would sit, that I had complete control over the portrait, that they would stay out of it decision wise.

After, I had spent a fair amount of money and time on the project, the client told me he wanted to pick the pictures I would paint from and that there would be no sittings. I had to finish the paintings, but I had ceased to care about them. They were professional, that's it. Ironically, since the gentleman was wearing a tuxedo, the pose he picked, made him look just like a waiter.

I do not like smiling portraits as well, whether they are children or adults and won't do them.

Promoting yourself as a portrait painter can be time consuming and as you found out very expensive. I don't know about your area, but the portrait market can be quite saturated. The portrait painters I know here in the Northeast are complaining of lack of commissions, no backlogs, some of whom are very good and well known.

I have concentrated on my own work and though the finances can be dicey, I am expressing my own point of view. My work has started to be noticed and it is some pretty flossy homes and I don't sell it cheap.

There are painters who are well suited to the business, really love it, are good at it and apparently do quite well. You have to decide if you really, really love it because it is something you have to devote a great deal of time and energy developing.

I just though I would present the other side of the coin.

09-26-2004, 05:06 PM	#20
Sharon Knettell Approved Member Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,730	Melanie, I am probably not the one that should be replying here, but I really admire your work. It is so sensitive, human and honest. It is, as I know, really difficult to survive doing figurative work these days.The only option that pops up, it seems is portraiture. Perhaps it is my personality, but I could not get beyond allowing the client control over my work. I did NOT care if the client liked my picture, I had to like it. I did and occasionally still do get a decent buck for a portrait, but the final straw came during a commission but a very prominent and wealthy Newport couple. They swore up and down that they would sit, that I had complete control over the portrait, that they would stay out of it decision wise. After, I had spent a fair amount of money and time on the project, the client told me he wanted to pick the pictures I would paint from and that there would be no sittings. I had to finish the paintings, but I had ceased to care about them. They were professional, that's it. Ironically, since the gentleman was wearing a tuxedo, the pose he picked, made him look just like a waiter. I do not like smiling portraits as well, whether they are children or adults and won't do them. Promoting yourself as a portrait painter can be time consuming and as you found out very expensive. I don't know about your area, but the portrait market can be quite saturated. The portrait painters I know here in the Northeast are complaining of lack of commissions, no backlogs, some of whom are very good and well known. I have concentrated on my own work and though the finances can be dicey, I am expressing my own point of view. My work has started to be noticed and it is some pretty flossy homes and I don't sell it cheap. There are painters who are well suited to the business, really love it, are good at it and apparently do quite well. You have to decide if you really, really love it because it is something you have to devote a great deal of time and energy developing. I just though I would present the other side of the coin.