So, what are my options here?

Essentially, there are three types of commissions:

1. This is the vibe I want, e.g.:

   • “I’m looking for a drawing of a man in business attire who looks defeated by the eldritch horror of capitalism”

   • “I would like a partially nude female figure drawing that fits with a sort of spa vibe and will hang well in a sage green room”

   • “I need the kind of nude figure painting that ensures nobody knows what to do with their face when they walk into my living room”

2. This is the subject I want, e.g.:

   • “This is my brother-in-law, Phil, who knows that I am ordering this piece and is available to be lighted and posed for reference material as necessary. Please commit Phil to paper for posterity”

   • “I want you to draw me like one of your French girls” — Rose, from Titanic

3. This is the image I want, e.g.:

   • “This is a beautiful photo of my late grandmother and I’d like you to make it into a painting that would honor her memory.”

   • “I love this vacation photo of my children and would like a drawing of it.”

Once you know what you are looking for, the rest is easy. I work principally in graphite, trois crayon, pen and ink, or oil paint at the size of your choice. Works on paper will be delivered matted unless otherwise specified. I also build my own frames and can deliver fully ready-to-hang art for additional cost. Canvases and wood panels can also be framed in a handmade floating frame for additional cost.

What commissions do I typically accept?

While I would love to have the time to accept every inquiry that came my way, I also realize that I am not the best artist to realize every dream. The commissions I most often accept are “vibe” and “subject” commissions. For pieces based on specific subjects, I always prefer to work from life (especially in the initial stage), but realize that it is not always an option and that reference photos will be required. With respect to “image” commissions, I will work from high-quality reference photos if they are studio-style images where the subject is Rembrandt lit and wearing a relatively neutral expression. Some naturally lit candid images are also suitable. Unfortunately, flash-based, smartphone photos with big, toothy grins are not within my wheelhouse to execute. At this time, I am not accepting animal portraits or work involving portraits of children under 2.

What is Rembrandt lighting?

Rembrandt lighting is a superb way to make everybody look good. It delivers a moody and dramatic effect by placing the subject at the center of a dark background with a single source of light placed on a 45 degree offset from the subject, approximately 5 feet away. The light source should be positioned roughly two feet higher than eye level and angled slightly downward. A reflector can be used if you happen to have one to create softer and more natural lighting. Flash compensation should be used to ensure camera flash does not impact the lighting effect. I am always happy to walk you through this lighting over zoom, take the reference photos myself if you are based in Northern Virginia/Washington, D.C., or answer questions.

What is the turnaround time for commissions?

For drawings, expect a two-to-four week window from order to shipping. If you have a specific model request, turnaround will depend on the ability to book that model and will be communicated to you as early as possible. Drawings can be expedited for additional cost.

For paintings, expect a three-to-six month window from order to shipping. Oil paints take time to dry and must be varnished before they are shipped. There are some things I can do to speed up the drying time of an oil painting, but I need to know that before I start painting. If you are working within a shorter time constraint (especially for local folks), let’s have a conversation about what we can realistically make happen.

What is it going to cost?

Cost depends on size, material, number of figures/complexity, matting/framing needs, and turnaround time. Drawings will run from $100 to $350 typically, with pen and ink being more expensive than graphite. Oil paintings will run from $300 to $1500, and can be painted on canvas that I stretch myself or wood panels. I do also paint on copper, but my wife has forbidden me from using a blowtorch in the home studio (lame). However, I am always looking for business cases to overrule her, so if you are interested in copper painting, that is something we can arrange. Copper will be more expensive than canvas or wood, due to added material and preparation fees. There is a small surcharge for plaid/lace or other complex, repeating fabric patterns that you would like to have replicated in detail in the artwork that will be built into the quoted price.