The Commission Process
When the commission is confirmed, a meeting with the client is scheduled which would include an interview, decisions such as the subject’s wardrobe and the location or background of the portrait. After that, two sittings are usually adequate for the artist to obtain enough reference material to make photographs and sketches with which to complete the portrait. An average of two days is required of the subjects time for the sittings, and the painting would then be completed by the artist in the studio using the sketches and photographs. Fees range from $3,000 to $24,000 depending on the size and medium of the portrait. Travel, framing and shipping expenses are additional.
