Why Portrait Artists Sometimes Say “NO”, or Too Late…
During the Holidays one of the gifts that is so very heart warming is a Painted Portrait.
Many years ago I had a lovely Husky Mix named Tasha. My, what a beautiful dog and wonderful ever faith companion she was, lovely coat and what blue eyes she had. My husband (at the time a boyfriend) visited me one day and brought along his camera and photographed Tasha….I mean he must have taken 100 photographs….every angle you can possibly think of. Christmas Eve that year at my house, Michael was there and presented me with a nicely wrapped gift. I opened it and there in front of me was a 16×20 pastel portrait of my dog. Very heart warming indeed….to this day that really was one of the best gifts I have ever received.
Little did I know that many years later I would be painting portraits. At the time I did not think about the time, work the Artist put into the portrait of my beloved Tasha. The Artists instructions given to Michael were very precise about what the photographs should look like….in focus, close ups, etc. I give the very same instructions to those inquiring about portraits…if using images from the past or sadly, the individual or pet is deceased and all that is left is images with little detail it is then very difficult to work with. Many Artists will just not work with a poor image.
The minds eye is amazing….viewing an image of a deceased loved one you will most likely remember things that are not actually in the image…..the color of the eyes, skin tone…..to the artist viewing the image….well, what a job they have before them. It will take longer to complete and many times the clients are unhappy with the results, which is why so often many Artists will refuse to take on such a job.
I try not to say No, especially if the subject is deceased….I work with a proofing system…..working this way costs more but it gives the Artists a way to communicate with the client for just stating someone has blue, green or brown eyes….well truth be told eyes are amazing and never just blue, green or brown. Still, even for me there are those times when sadly….there is just not enough detail in the image to work with.
I know I have written this a thousand times… use your cameras, especially when you have a family gathering such as around the Holidays. Take Group shots, individual shots…..we are in the digital age and you will know right then and there if crisp clear and in focus…..always best to take more then one photograph of each subject. Most importantly, as my boyfriend of many years ago did….think a head. This is a gift that requires time and should not be left to the last minute, especially around the Holiday season. Paintings will take longer to complete due to the Artists busy schedule.
