Showing Works-in-Progress

Valerie Gudorf · 05-07-2003, 11:55 PM

While perusing the SOG galleries, I noted that some artists like to maintain very close contact with their clients during all phases of the commission, allowing them to periodically view the work-in-progress.

Recently, I promised a prospective client that I would give him progress updates via e-mail photos. It was not until after I'd given it further thought, that I wondered about the wisdom of making this available. All of my paintings go through what might be called an "ugly stage" before they begin to look like something the average person could view with appreciation. The appreciation stage usually doesn't appear until somewhere close to the work being finished. Now I worry that WIP photos might only serve to instill doubt in the mind of my client.

Karen Wells, states on her web page that she prefers not to give clients access to the work-in-progress. I can only assume that she has had some negative experience in this regard.

What is your opinion concerning this practice? What has been your experience?

Michele Rushworth · 05-08-2003, 01:17 AM

I don't invite clients to view works-in-progress, for the reason you outlined above. Clients do see and approve the reference photos I will use and they see and approve a small black and white sketch.

Leslie Ficcaglia · 05-08-2003, 07:24 AM

Valerie, I try to have the client over to view the portrait right after I get it blocked in, while it's still in what I call the "blue" phase since I use ultramarine for that purpose. That way he or she can see how the composition we've agreed upon actually looks on the canvas and at that point it's still rough enough that I could make changes readily if they were necessary.

I tend to work in stages, from large masses all over the canvas to more and more refinement throughout, so the painting is almost like an image loading progressively on the web, becoming clearer and clearer. I do focus on the face first, though, and the likeness is there even in the blue phase.

The client knows that I've only spent one session on the work at that point and so he or she isn't expecting a finished product. So far this practice has worked well for me, and I really enjoy the feedback. The only other person who's as excited about the developing painting as I am is the client, so I like to show them how it's progressing.

H · 05-10-2003, 12:58 PM

It works perfect for me!

I always show work-in-progress in e-mail to my clients all the time. And although sometimes the painting shows an ugly stage, the clients love to see how the painting grows.

What I do is this: I show three pictures in one e-mail, each in a different stage. So the client can see and compare the progress. I describe what I'm doing at every stage of the painting.

At the end of the e-mail I write: To be continued. If you have any questions or suggestions about this, please feel free to ask. After doing this for a year now, no one ever complained or expected a finished painting right away.

Most people expect a finished painting at first, but if you clearly explain to them that it takes several stages, they will understand.

Good luck.

Michael Georges · 05-10-2003, 01:38 PM

One thing I always do is set my client's expectations - telling them that the painting builds to a finish - it does not all come together at once. To emphasize this point, I show them progress pics of another portrait commission before we get started so they can see how their portrait will progress.

I find that showing them progress pictures gets them into the process and sets their expectations for what they will see at the end - which is important, IMO.

Leslie Ficcaglia · 05-10-2003, 04:39 PM

I have a page on my site entitled "Portrait Process" where I discuss procedure and prices and also show a sample portrait in three stages: blocking in or "blue" phase, first colors, and completed. So clients know what to expect as the painting develops. It seems similar to what you do, Michael.

I usually make a point of showing the client the painting twice: the first at the blue phase and the second when it's just about finished. I don't give them a running exhibit the way you do, Hulya, but I'll bet they appreciate that.

Timothy C. Tyler · 05-10-2003, 08:19 PM

"Don't let them look behind the curtain."

Don't give away the magic. Besides it's human nature to say later, "yes, but I liked it better before, remember honey?" Everyone's paintings look ugly in the middle. Furthermore, what is a non-painter going to see?

Give them a sketch (before) and maybe show the in-progress stuff after the check clears, after you are quite done and they are quite pleased.

Valerie Gudorf · 05-11-2003, 02:55 AM

Thanks everyone,

There are compelling arguments to be made on both sides of this question. It does appear that, with careful client education, WIP photos will not sabotage a commission. However, I'm beginning to think that Tim is onto something about not revealing "what's behind the curtain".

Running a portrait painting business is a LOT of work under the best of circumstances. Having to constantly "hold a client's hand" with the use of work-in-progress photos, along with careful explanations of each stage, is starting to strike me as somewhat onerous. I do understand that some clients can be particularly demanding once they've plunked down a deposit, and thereby need some extra reassurance that everything is going as planned. But I'm not sure that WIP photos will neccessarily accomplish that.

It could set the expectation that the client has the right to editorialize about the artist's every aesthetic decision. If the client had an artist's sensibilities, he could probably paint his own portrait. Otherwise, he should leave the making of art to the artist.

After all, when you order an entree at a fine restaurant, you don't stand over the chef's shoulder to make sure it's "done right". When you order a custom sedan at the Lexus Dealership, you don't get to demand WIP photos from the factory. It really does come down to trusting that the artist knows what he's doing.

Leslie Ficcaglia · 05-11-2003, 08:07 AM

Valerie, I think that in the final analysis it's what the artist him or herself is comfortable with. When I began doing commissions I couldn't wait to show the work to the client because I was so pleased with the way it was developing. I really enjoy that part of the process. If you don't, then by all means set up your procedures differently.

I also depart drastically from usual practice by not accepting money until the client has seen and approved the final portrait. This keeps the pressure off both of us. Were I ever to be extremely busy I would rethink that policy, but at present, as a part-time professional, I'm just as happy to have a commission which offers me a subject which I wouldn't have otherwise, and each one represents an exciting adventure to me. And I've never had a rejection of a completed work - yet.

Portraiture is indeed different strokes for different folks.

Mike McCarty · 05-11-2003, 11:34 AM

I personally can't imagine anything good coming from showing a half-finished painting to a client.

As Tim said, every painting will look like a disaster in the middle stages. Can this possibly instill a sense of well being in a client who is not familiar with the process? They may smile and give an understanding air, but privately think, "Is it too late to get out of this?"

If your goal is to be an instructor (a separate matter, it seems to me) then use a series of "in process" photos of a previous painting to describe the process. This could be interesting to the client without having the potential for an unexpected reaction.

If I am working towards a well-defined and understood goal then there should be no need to give someone occasion to tweak the process.