How would you handle multiple portraits?

Mary Sparrow · 11-28-2003, 10:31 AM

I recently recieved a request to develop a "portrait wall". This client has a 7 and 9 year old, boy and girl.

They have a large wall in their home and want a series of portraits of their two children at various ages all throughout their lives from birth on!! Obviously I would have to use their photos from earlier ages, and continue to add yearly!!

I don't even begin to know how to respond to this request!

First, how would you handle the first several years? Second, would you suggest doing them in various mediums or all in the same medium? And last, how about pricing? Would I offer a discount off the bat? or just give my fee list to them and assume they are willing to pay that unless they ask otherwise? (Which I know for a fact that money is NOT an issue with this crew.) I was never expecting such a job!

Any advice on how you would move on with this is much appreciated!

Michele Rushworth · 11-28-2003, 11:47 AM

What a terrific (and challenging) opportunity! Congratulations!

Since all these paintings are going to hang together, and since they will be from widely varying reference, I think you'll need to work hard to make them look right on the same wall. I would paint them in the same medium. I would also try to have a unifying color scheme with them all. (I am currently working on just two portraits of a boy and a girl and I go back and forth between them to make sure they "go" together.)

On pricing, I would suggest you work from your regular price sheet. If you currently offer a discount for multiple subjects or multiple portraits done at the same time, you should offer that of course, but since this will be a monumental undertaking with challenges of its own, I wouldn't discount further.

Keep us posted as you progress on this exciting project!

Mary Sparrow · 11-28-2003, 01:17 PM

You do know I mean a portrait wall...to HANG portraits on!

Mike McCarty · 11-28-2003, 09:23 PM

I misunderstood, I've had a lot to eat. I'll eliminate my confused post.

Richard Huante · 11-29-2003, 12:02 AM

Hi Mary,

Congratulations on this unique opportunity. Just curious...will the clients have you paint their childrens' portraits as they grow older? Based on the theme, it would seem natural, at least until they reach adulthood. If so, the quality of the finished pieces will probably have a significant difference between now (and later) and the kids' earlier ages, mainly because of photo reference material. That's assuming, of course, you take your own photos for the current and future paintings. Then there's the issue of you adjusting your prices as your skills and career advance. Will your clients be aware of this?

Hope I didn't add any confusion to an already complex project, but these questions came to mind when I read your post. Best of luck on your commission; please show us some of the completed pieces!

Kindly,

Mary Sparrow · 11-29-2003, 07:32 AM

The points you make are all things that have crossed my mind. I am sure that these people would continue to have the portraits painted, especially since the children are so young.

And you are right, there (better) be much improvement in my work over the years! I am not concerned with their ability to pay, I do not see that being an issue at all. I do though worry if I am up to such a challenge.

Mike McCarty · 11-29-2003, 11:21 AM

Mary,

I guess its human nature to want to see things in their totality, with all the complexity we can hoist upon them. This to me would be one portrait at a time, each one approached the same way you would any other. If the early photos are good you use them, if they are not you don't. The same challenges, the same solutions, one at a time. Imagine a big wall in a museum, full of paintings, was each artist aware of the painting's final destination? Do the paintings look good on the wall? Of course there's a good chance that I still don't understand.