Commissioning a Painting

There are several popular types of custom paintings outlined in more detail in the sections which follow.

• Animal Companions
• Family Portraits
• Recreation and Custom-Finish
• Homes and Unique Locations
• Synthetic Impressionism

Information on painting styles, scheduling and pricing options appears below.

Once we agree on the style, composition and price, the deposit is made and work can begin. A minimum of seven layer update shots are shared by email or text, patron input is encouraged. It's also possible to view painting live via webcam.

Animal Companions

Natural lighting, lively expression and full-body are important considerations if you are providing your own photo.

Family Portraits

• If you are providing photos, flash photography is usually not advised.
• Additional people, animals, hands or backgrounds may increase the price.
• Travel charges of 15% may apply, or appointments combined with art shows.
• Posthumous portraits are accepted, two or more photos preferred.

Once we agree on location and background, a photo session is scheduled. Looking to create timeless appeal, access to wardrobe is important. Hundreds of photos can be taken in a few hours, with varying poses, and two or three wardrobe changes.

Recreation and Custom-Finish

Recreations are new versions of existing compositions, including those by other artists. Custom finish works are artist-started paintings completed to patron preference. As the drawing aspect of the composition is established, further development of color relationships, tonal variation and lighting are possible. Using slideshows of hundreds of color and contrast composition versions, different effects of light and detail are discovered.

Homes and Unique Locations

The patron may provide multiple sunny photos of seasons and daytimes, or contact Charles immediately with the location so he can determine the best time to do a photo shoot. The photos are composed and cropped to provide options to choose from.

Synthetic Impressionism

These works require extra time for preparatory drawing and more interaction between artist and patron.

• A preparatory drawing is created, capturing color scheme and artistic exaggerations.
• A surcharge of 15% covers the time of creating the sketch, emailing or texting process photos for patron approval.

Painting Styles

Color Realist Seven-Layer Style

• Detail and realism are derived from a multi-layer paint process.
• First thin layers of color are applied with turpentine, then each successive layer has more oil.
• The final layer is entirely varnish, oil, and pigment, making for a luminous transparent surface alive with changing light.
• The drying time between layers makes this technique slower, but allows careful modulation of color and tone.

Affordable "a la Prima" Style

• Literally "at the first," these impressionist works are simplified to one or two quick underlayers with a final mostly-opaque impasto layer.
• The immediacy of the brushwork is exhilarating and decisive.
• This is a great option for small detailed or large decorative works.
• Patrons are required to be fully "on-hand" during paint day for immediate approvals of brushwork and composition.

Scheduling

• The standard completion time for seven-layer works is five months.
• A 10% discount is available for a ten month allowance.
• A 20% rush charge applies for paintings due in less than three months.
• Affordable half-day or full-day artist sessions are available for "a la prima" style paintings.

Pricing Options

• A 10% discount is available for patron-provided photos.
• A 50% deposit is required at the start of commission, the final payment of 50% is due when the painting is complete.
• 6.35% Connecticut sales tax applies to commissions.
• For seven-layer works, minimum size is 18x24 inches, with a base price of $3200.
• A la prima works are $800 for a 4-hour artist session, or $1200 for a full-day.

updated: 5/9/2018