Procedures for Portrait Commissions

Initial Consultation: The following are discussed: pose and composition, size of the canvas, pricing, dress, props and background. This may be done at my studio or at clients home. Time permitting, sketches will be drawn and photos will be taken. There is no cost for this initial work.

Sketch & Photo Session: If time permits, I will create some sketches to help establish the general pose before proceeding with a more refined sketch of the pose for approval. Photographs may also be taken as a supplementary reference. Abbreviated oil sketches do not include or require this preliminary work.

Selection & Refinement of Pose: If possible, a selected sketch of the head will be refined from life in another sitting or a detail reference will be chosen from photos. Once the pose and expression are agreed upon, an actual-size layout sketch, and color study when necessary, will be shown to the client for approval and a deposit will be requested prior to moving on to the paint stage. (All studies will kept by the artist).

Painting Stage: Once the layout and size have been approved, the design is then transferred to the canvas in preparation for painting. A monochromatic (single color) layout is executed in oils. Although this will be started using available references without the sitter, from this point on, it is imperative that Mr. Bogdan be able to finish the painting from life. The beauty inherent in the best traditional paintings derives from there having been painted from life. Photos lack much of the information and subtleties of life and produce distortion problems which may never be fixed properly, if not corrected from life.

Head & shoulder paintings for a single person will require at least 3 painting sessions from life with each session lasting approx. 1 ½ - 3 hrs. Portrait drawings require 1-2 sittings. However, for large, full length poses, some of the background and costume details may be done without the sitter. Obviously this is a participatory process and the sitter should see their time spent as an investment in a very personal work of art. Sitters may have a friend present and, depending on the pose, may even use a mini DVD player provided by Bogdan (and possibly a lab top computer). Once the portrait has been completed, delivered and approved by the client, the final payment will be due.

Framing, Delivery & Approval: I will recommend and supply a frame at an additional cost or the client may frame the work themselves. Usually this is decided as the portrait nears completion so that a frame will be ready by the time the painting is finished. Bogdan will offer to hang the artwork as well. A clear, low luster, protective varnish may be applied before the painting is framed or a few weeks following installation – this may be done on location, otherwise I will take the painting back to my studio to apply it. For out of state clients, a deposit may be required in advance and additional travel and/or shipping costs may also be necessary.

Backgrounds: Whether interior or exterior, allow the sitter to personalize the painting by providing a specific atmosphere which will help to tell a story about themselves. The alternative is a textured background.

Materials: High quality oils on linen canvas with a traditional, custom prepared ground, are used for paintings. Prices include stretchers but not exterior frames. Charcoal and pencil drawings are created on acid free paper and, if preferred, may be protected with a light spray fixative and packaged safely for transport.