Back when they were cute

[Karin Wells]

[quote]Thank you for showing interest, I know it is hard for the "seasoned pro

[Sharon Knettell]

Beth, one of the best ways to avoid this situation is never, ever, to look at the photos in the first place. When someone asks me even to look at one, I refuse to do so. I just tell them, politely, that I can never do a good job from anyone else's photography. I must take my own. That generally ends the temptation to grab the money and run right there.

As for the dreaded Holiday, do drawings for people. My niece is a fledgling artist and I have some water colors from her that I cherish more than anything. Don't feel you have to sacrifice your art supply money to buy expensive presents for other people.

Some of us have been in that situation before and have a few clunkers hanging on walls. The last picture I did, from someone else's photo, was a posthumous one. I can't tell you how dreadful that painting is. Fortunately, I signed it with an illegible cartouche and continue to deny its authorship. I don't even accept posthumous portraits any more.

As I am now concentrating on my own personal work, funds are a lot tighter than when I had a nice juicy fee coming in. All the states have some kind of artists' grants. Look into your state for some small grants to help you with your supplies.

Sincerely,

[Elizabeth Schott]

This might not be the smartest thing to do, but since it is the holidays and this photo stirred so much emotion, I decided to post the finished piece.

We knew this would not be a masterpiece from the start, but the client seemed to like it, and as all predicted it was a royal pain to do.

Note: the color looks really saturated in this post, I am not sure why. It is not really this intense.

[Leslie Ficcaglia]

Beth, a good job with poor material. At some point I might be able to be more particular about the reference material I work from but right now I'd rather be painting than not, especially if there's a guaranteed fee attached. People who post here have a whole range of professional experience and stature so I understand the dilemma you were facing. Had it been I, I would definitely have insisted on some other photos taken during the same period so that I wouldn't be limited to that reference photo. My explanation, when clients for posthumous portraits insist that this is the exact photo they want me to use, is that I need to get a feeling for the subject's personality, and the completed painting should be and will be much more than just a copy of a photo.

I can imagine the reactions I would have gotten here if I'd posted all the reference photos I had to cobble together for my last portrait. Clearly my practice differs from that of many others on this forum. The painting was to be a surprise for the subjects and I simply viewed it as a challenge. I enjoyed making a single cohesive piece from the sources and really like the finished painting. The client, who already had several commissioned portraits hanging in her home, was thrilled with the results and I'm hoping that the recipients will be also.

[Elizabeth Schott]

Leslie, thank you. Your words are kind, and what I needed.