Your figure portrait from photo or from life
Firstly, here is an example painted from a photo.
Come and model in person!
I welcome commissions to draw and paint from life. It is a really interesting experience to pose for an artist, and allows me to convey more of your true personality and colour. You can watch and steer the portrait as it emerges, and the final picture will transport you back to our time together. See my blog about the value of working from life here.
You can of course be fully clothed, or if you prefer you can try the liberating experience of ‘life modelling’, the choice is yours:
Many people find it highly memorable, even life-changing, to pose in front of an artist. Simply being still, and ‘seen’ for an extended period (with comfort breaks of course!) can be surprisingly moving. From my point of view it is the traditional way, resulting in a more serene, loosely painted, less ‘photographic’ reflection of the true self.
A few examples from life
There are times when a reference photo is more suitable, for example if you want a beaming smile, or are not able to be still for the necessary time. Angela (above) is the only person I know who can hold a beaming smile for an hour!
If you are not local, why not combine your modelling sessions with a city break in Bristol? My studio is round the corner from the independent shopping heaven Gloucester Road. Stretch your legs between sittings with a walk on Durdham Downs, or over the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Cabot Circus shopping centre, the bustling Harbourside, and countless independent eateries await your pleasure.
“I loved having my portrait painted by you Gail. You are such a talented, gentle artist, nothing was too much trouble, and the finished result is better than we ever imagined. It is in pride of place, and always makes us smile. Happy memories of a wonderful experience, that we will treasure forever”
How does it work?
The process works very much like any other commission, I use traditional portraiture skills to capture a great likeness, and the essence of your spirit… with a couple of extra considerations:
Privacy - I do not, of course, identify clients by name, nor share reference photos, without consent. I share my work in progress with an online audience, in a respectfully curated way, but will obscure any identifying features unless we have agreed otherwise. This means you may have a video/photo record of the portrait construction, which can be a great souvenir.
If you choose to identify yourself by commenting on or sharing my content, please be aware that whilst greatly beneficial to me, it is an irrevocable association between you and your portrait image!
Should you opt for a nude portrait, and permit me to share the painting without obscuring features (although technically the copyright is mine, there is by no means an obligation to share if you would prefer it kept private), I offer a 25% discount on the unframed price, as a thank you for helping me build my portfolio.
Taking advantage of this discount, a 10x8” portrait from life can be comfortably less than £500. Contact me to discuss options without obligation.
Decency - I consider myself very liberally minded with subject matter, constrained only by what is legally acceptable behaviour for consenting adults in the UK. I only accept nude photos from the subject themselves, and only having receiving a confirmed (paid) commission order. This is an unfortunate consequence of experience!
