[Chris Saper]

Hi, Mary!

I was actually also very interested in Karin's response about adding a background in to a subject photographed against a "non-background"..actually I have never done this and am not sure that I would try. I have tended to go quite in the opposite direction, that is, photographing a person against a specific background and then modifying the background to become more abstract; in my paintings, the background usually serves the function of using value and color to move the viewer's eye to the center of interest. Backgrounds may suggest a quiet interior or a sunny day or a garden setting, but not generally much more.

I think your approach to backgrounds just needs to one that suits your viewpoint,temperment and what you enjoy painting and seeing. If you add in a background from some other source, I think the main things to keep in mind are light direction, color and quality so that your subject is unified visually with the setting.

Because of my viewpoint about my backgrounds, I usually let clients know up front that they should leave that decision to me. However, if they have preferences, it is important for them to let me know in the beginning. My business is every bit as much a service as it is a product, and I enjoy tailoring each piece, to the extent possible, to meet a client's desires.

However, if the conversation starts with..."I want to be painted with the silk Aubusson carpet, brocade drapes, taffeta lining, grand piano...etc" I make certain they know what my style is like and that they are comfortable with my appproach. I have had a number of instances where the client wants a photo-realistic painting, edge to edge, corner to corner, and I will show them other artists' work, and provide contact information. I don't want to start down a road with a client where our expectations don't align, as we will both end up less than happy at the end.

I think that it is important to show the kind of work that you want to paint. I have a friend who says, "Maybe I need to paint a bunch of portraits of little blond girls, barefooted in white dresses..." I would say, only if that is what you like to paint, and want to paint more of.

Best, Chris