First of all, beware of scammers who use digital printers and Photoshop software to print "paintings' on canvas.  If they're offering you oil painted portraits for $89. or such, you're purchasing a photo press picture.

Commissioned Portraits

Commissioning a portrait painting is a significant undertaking. A portrait will last for generations, years after other décor has long since faded or been discarded. Regardless of the degree of complexity of the painting you commission, I always strive to create an heirloom quality masterpiece.

Since a portrait painting is a collaborative effort between patron and artist, the first step is to establish a dialogue and determine the scope of the painting you desire. I will do my very best to accommodate both your vision and your budget.

Portrait fees range from $1200. to $3500.  If you’ve investigated portrait commissions, you will see that I am on the low spectrum of pricing.  Shipping fees are additional.  The cost of a portrait painting is based on the following criteria: the number of people or pets in the painting; how much of each subject is depicted; the size of the actual painting; the intricacy of clothing, jewelry and props; and the complexity of the background setting.

My influences range from Courbet, Degas, and Whistler to Modernists such as Picasso and Warhol.

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Each portrait  begins with alla prima primers that are covered with layer upon layer of semi-transparent glazes to achieve a rich, deep surface.  Each glaze needs to dry for four or five days before the next one is applied.  A portrait takes approximately 30 to 40 hours to complete over a period of a month.