WWA PORTRAIT PAINTERS

Representing the Best Portrait Painters in WV and the United States
ABOUT FEES & PROCEDURE
PRICING
 



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        We represent a wide selection of artists.  Their starting prices range from $300 - $45,000 per figure.  As of January 2008, Wendy Wassink's portraits in Pastel or Watercolor start at $2,800.00 per figure and her Oil portraits start at $7,000.  Her apprentice, Patrick, works for less as he builds his portfolio under Wendy's supervision.

        For those on a budget, we can place clients with some of Wendy's students, former students and/or other artists represented by our agency who can work for much less than our more established artists.

        Painting styles amoung our artists vary from tight photo-realism to "painterly" and loose.  Many paint in only one medium such as Oil, and some paint in several media, including Watercolor, Pastel, Pen & Ink, Charcoal, Colored Pencil, and mixed media.

        Prices vary significantly from artist to artist according to their experience, reputation, skill, media, and/or styles.  Those who are young in their careers charge much less than Wendy's median price, while investment artists charge much more. 

        Though we represent a few students and rising artists, most of our portraitists are professionals with years of skill and experience.  For those who wish to invest for the sake of future appreciation, our top artists are contemporary masters – the best in the country – widely acknowledged with multiple awards and prestigious commissions. 

        At initial consultation we can show the client all available options that fit the project.  We will be happy to provide samples and fully detailed fees schedules for any of our appropriate artists at that time.       

 

There are many variables to consider -- we are happy to guide you in finding the right artist for your portrait investment.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 * WHAT SIZE WILL THE PORTRAIT BE? 
As close to life-size as possible, as is standard with traditional, classical portraiture.  If size is an issue, smaller portraiture is an option.
* HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
We will need to check with the chosen artist to determine his/her waiting list.  Each artist has a different calendar determined by order of client deposit.  Most professionals are booked for at least a year, and a 2+ yr. wait common for a popular artist.   On occasion, we can find an artist who can complete a portrait within 6-8 months.  For all portraitists, placing deposit determines approximate finish date by securing a place on the schedule. 

* DOES THE ARTIST PAINT FROM LIVE SITTINGS OR A PHOTOGRAPH?
While live sittings are an option, most clients are too busy and prefer to have their portraits done from photography.  Professional artists prefer to shoot their own photography and may take 200-300+ shots for portraits larger than Head & Shoulders.  Then 10-20 of the best photos are chosen to make an optimum composition by working from parts of each.  On occasion, the artist may approve candid photography provided by the client if the resolution, composition, and general appeal are worthy of the client'sinvestment and the artist's time.
* WHAT WILL IT COST?   
Pricing varies according to the artist (skill level & demand), medium, figure composition, complexity of the composition, and number of figures in the portrait, among other things.  An Oil painting  takes much longer than a Pastel, for example.  A head and shoulders portrait can be finished much sooner than a full-length portrait showing hands and feet.  The level of background detail also affects completion time, as it can be simple or complex depending on the vision of the client -- a flat, photo studio-style background can be finished much sooner than one depicting complex textures and patterns such as lace, intricate rug designs, and other décor details.  Other cost components may include such variables as additional subjects in one painting – adding extra figures is the equivalent of commissioning multiple portraits and therefore increases the time and cost requirements of the job.  Most professional portraitists have a standard pricing schedule wherein these variables are associated with a specific price. A Consultant can guide you through the cost estimation process and provide an initial portrait quote specific to your choices. .

* IS FRAMING INCLUDED?
Framing is an additional cost which will vary according to the frame components chosen by the client.  For example, a less expensive mass-market frame for a 20x24 painting will typically cost about $150-$450 (frame only).  A genuine gold-leaf, hand-crafted frame of the same size will cost from $900 - $1800+.  In addition to the frame itself, other frame component choices must be made by the client -- works on paper require more choices than Oil portraits because they must have 100% rag materials (mats, mounting, etc.) and special glass to protect the portrait.   WWA Portraits will provide a frame quote detailing these choices.  If possible and reasonable, WWA Portraits prefers to provide all framing for work by the artists it represents in order to insure portrait longevity for its artists and clients.  An improperly framed work will deteriorate rapidly.  As a conservation framer, WWA Portraits provides museum-quality framing at competitive (and often lower) prices with an offer to match lower costs from any other framer.
* WHAT OTHER COSTS ARE INVOLVED?   
All travel, lodging, meals, and shipping/delivery costs associated with the completion of a portrait usually incur additional cost, though that can vary from artist to artist.


OTHER POINTS OF PROCEDURE:
* MORE THAN ONE FIGURE IN THE PORTRAIT
For most of our artists, additional figures are extra, as detailed in their Fees schedules.  Typically, additional figures are priced at less than the first figure in a standard, multiple figure reduction rate.

* PORTRAITS  FROM LIVE SITTINGS
This option is offered by some of our artists and in most cases (but not always) incurs extra cost.
* AMOUNT OF DEPOSIT REQUIRED
One third to one half deposit is typically required to reserve calendar time for the completion of a portrait. Deposits cover the artist's initial consultation time, pay for materials to start the portrait, and otherwise fund the start of the painting.  Deposits are typically non-refundable.

* WHEN IS DEPOSIT DUE?
The deposit is usually placed at time of reference photography submission to the artist or at the beginning of the process if painting is to be rendered from live sittings.  A commission agreement contract is drawn up at that time detailing the specifics of the portrait project (most artists)e deposit effects client placement on artist’s waiting list, as portraits are completed in order of deposit.  As is typical for professional portrait commissions, all deposits are non-refundable.
* SKETCH APPROVAL BEFORE STARTING  
A portrait "Sketch" is usually submitted by the artist for approval before the painting is started so that the client knows exactly what to expect in terms of composition, color, and overall look.  Not all artists provide this service.

* FRAMING   
At the WWA Portrait Studio, we provide conservation, museum-quality framing to insure optimum longevity of the work.