Much as I love the power of a printed image, a painted portrait conveys a certain elegance that may be exactly what you need for one of your rooms. A commissioned portrait is, indeed, a wonderful tribute to someone you want to honor, but if it´s going to live in your home, you must be strategic and selective about the artist you choose. Keep in mind that you´re looking not just for a good likeness but also for a work that has artistic merit and will fit your environment.
Before you commission a portrait, which requires some commitment of time as well as expense, you must plan ahead. Here are five important points to consider:
Decide Where the Painting Will Live Unlike photographs, which we´re likely to change over time, a painted portrait usually has a permanent place in a room. Figuring out its location early will help you narrow down which artist and style you prefer for the portraiture.
Choose a Medium Knowing in advance whether you prefer charcoal to watercolor or ink to oil will help you find the best artist for the job.
Select a Size Determine the dimensions you desire as early as possible. This is one of the first questions the artist will have for you.
Get to Know the Artist´s Work Take a long, hard look at various artists´ previous work by visiting their studio or gallery, viewing photographs of finished portraits, or checking out a website where their work is on display. The portrait that you commission would be unique, of course, but each artist has a distinctive style and that´s unlikely to change much from one work to the next. Make sure their style appeals to you and get recommendations, if possible, before you make a final choice.
Find Out How Much Time is Needed Some artists will only work from life, and if you want an oil portrait, it may require multiple sittings, either in a studio or in your own home. This isn´t a realistic option for young children who will having trouble sitting still. Some artists do work from photographs, but might need a sitting before putting on the finishing touches.
For more tips on how to capture your best memories and other home decor advice, check out my book LIVING WITH WHAT YOU LOVE.
[Painted portrait by Napoleone Parisani courtesy of Wikimedia]
Published on August 9, 2010
While there are many sites today dedicated to the pursuit of fashion and style, here at MRK Style we approach these subjects through a collector’s lens. Through exploring how people relate to Art, Family, Fashion, Food, Film and Travel—essentially life’s various, everyday obsessions—we reflect on how we all live with the things we love. 
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