Portraits
Creating a portrait requires extra-daily energy, absolute absorption in the process: this special energy is transferred to the paper or canvas and lives there forever, creating a heritage work of art infused with the essence of a person at a particular moment in his or her life. See below for more details on process and pricing. Contact me to discuss your commission.
“Hannah’s work is truly exquisite—every detail reflects her artistic mastery and deep understanding of movement and emotion. This portrait has brought so much meaning to our home, adding both beauty and sentiment to our space. I wholeheartedly recommend Hannah to anyone seeking a unique and breathtaking piece of art.”
-Jhilam Biswas, Massachusetts
Portrait Pricing
(Prices given here are for standard artwork sizes; other sizes are possible.)
Soft Pastel or Oils
11x14” original portrait in soft pastel or oil paint: $500 for one person and an additional $150 for each additional person
12x16” original portrait in soft pastel or oil paint: $650 for one person and an additional $200 for each additional person
16x20” original portrait in soft pastel or oil paint: $850 for one person and an additional $200 for each additional person
18x24” original portrait in soft pastel or oil paint: $1000 for one person and an additional $250 for each additional person
Pencil or Charcoal
8x10” original pencil or charcoal portrait: $250 single subject
11x14” original pencil or charcoal portrait: $350 single subject, additional $150 for each additional person
12x16” original pencil or charcoal portrait: $500 single subject, additional $150 for each additional person
16x20” original pencil or charcoal portrait: $650 single subject, additional $200 for each additional person
The Process. How does commissioning a portrait work?
Initial Conversation.
We’ll start with a conversation by phone or zoom. I’ll want to understand your goals for the commission and make sure we’re on the same page. We’ll discuss both the forest and the trees. I want to know what your emotional goals are for the project. Is this a gift, or intended as a family heirloom, and how might that affect the ideal feel or style of the portrait? We’ll also discuss medium (pencil, charcoal, oils or soft pastel) and dimensions. We’ll determine the timeline for the project and what the cost will be. I’ll check in along the way to see if you are still interested in moving forward. If you are, we’ll decide our next steps.
Gathering source images or scheduling our in-person sessions. I work from both life and photos, and most of my work is from photos because of distance and scheduling. If distance allows, I love to come and take my own source photos to work with. This allows me to get the proper lighting and range of facial/physical expressions for the subject. It also gives me the chance to meet the subject(s) in person and get a real feel for their personality and spirit. If you are within about 100 miles from me, we would schedule a time (at least an hour) when I could come and take photos. In advance of this we would discuss clothing and setting(s) for the photos.
If an in-person photo session is not possible, I will ask you to send me images to work from.
Whether I’ve taken my own photos or are working from yours, we’ll agree (by phone or email) on which images I will use as my main source or sources.
I work! If questions arise during the process I may be in touch with process photos, but usually I just disappear into the images and emerge at the end with a finished piece.
Delivery. According to our timeline, I’ll either deliver the portrait by hand, you’ll come pick it up, or I will ship to you.