Typical Turn Around?

[Julianne Lowman]

Can anyone shed some light on the amount of time an artist should allow for completion of a portrait? I know that every artist is different, some may take longer on a specific piece than another. Do you take several commissions at one time and work on them at various stages, or take a commission, complete it, then start another? I realize that a portrait done in oil (painted in layers) takes significantly longer to dry than a pastel portrait that takes no time to dry. What then?

As a new professional, I'm finding it difficult to juggle the commissions I'm receiving (thank goodness I have new commissions ). and judging the time these pieces will be (or rather should be) completed. I'm also feeling rushed by the clients to be finished in time for Christmas.

Is there a "rule of thumb" for turn around time for portraits? How long should it take? Thanks in advance for the input.

[Cynthia Daniel]

Julianne,

There are lots of variables in this. I can only speak from my experience as a former portrait artist manager. His work was quite popular and we kept taking clients as they were ready to be scheduled. Right up front I told prospects that there was an 18+ month wait for delivery of the portrait. People were willing to wait. So, I think popularity and demand is a definite factor. A newer artist, of course, might not be able to get away with that. I think the higher the price, the more people expect to wait. Higher prices communicate "success" and people aren't surprised that there's quite a wait for a successful artist.

Portraits were completed according to the date the preparation was done and that was it. Once in a while we'd accept a "rush" job that wasn't according to the schedule.

I'm sure you'll get other very different feedback from others. But, I used our waiting period as a PR tool rather than a drawback...I never apologized for it. It was a measure of how much in demand he was.

[Michele Rushworth]

Cynthia, I seem to recall at one point you mentioned that Robert Schoeller would paint a head and shoulders portrait in about five to seven days. Is that right?

[Leslie Ficcaglia]

Julianne, everyone has a different timetable and method of working depending on style and a million other factors. An artist like Karin Wells who uses multiple glazes and paints in a very realistic and detailed style probably takes a great deal longer to complete a commission than someone whose work is very impressionistic. For example Debra Jones, who also posts here and was recognized for her talent by David Leffel in the December Artist's Magazine, can paint a portrait in a few days.

It takes me at least a month and usually more because I don't go into the studio every day; I also need time to let the oils dry and to think about what's going to happen next. Some artists have several pieces going at once; others focus on only one at a time. I would suspect that's again a matter of personal preference and style. I'm in the one-at-a-time category because I like to give all my attention to the work at hand, get a sense of closure, and only then move on. You need to find your own comfort level; if you feel too pressured you'll lose that lovely creative flow and portraits will become just another job. Horrors!

[Cynthia Daniel]

Michele,

Yes, 5-7 days is correct.

Sorry, I was addressing more how to juggle them once they are in rather than how long one took.