With a soft ping, my inbox frequently spills over with a request for a commissioned handmade portrait. I can never tell if the person reaching out will present a treasure trove of high-quality references or if they’ll challenge me to conjure something wonderful from a single cell phone snapshot. Despite the challenges, however, the creative journey is always rewarding.
Carol reached out to me from another city in Florida with her heartfelt request: a classic oil portrait of her granddaughter. Right away, I suggested we speak over the phone. There’s something about a live conversation that allows the nuances of a commissioned handmade portrait to come to life. It also makes it easier to understand the subject’s unique qualities and to discuss pricing. Carol didn’t hesitate—she called me immediately. Within minutes, we had all the key points worked out.
She had already prearranged a series of photos for this portrait a year earlier when her granddaughter was 14. We agreed that she would get 2 sets of prints made and mail one to me. Then, we scheduled a conference call to review them together.
When the day came, Carol’s daughter, Bette, joined us on the call. The three of us pored over the photos, each holding identical prints in our hands. This proved invaluable. Compare this to looking at images on different screens where subtle variations in color can lead to misunderstandings. But with prints in hand, we were all literally in sync. Carol pointed out the most striking features—her granddaughter’s sparkling eyes, the soft tones of her hair and skin. Since I had the same prints, I could fully grasp her vision. It was a bonus that I could later refer to these prints while painting. By the end of the call Carol was thrilled. She said we had captured exactly what she wanted.
I asked to connect with the photographer for copyright permission to use his photos as references. He was happy to grant the request and also sent me the original high-resolution digital files. From these I could glean a lot of detail that would be important for my painting.
Carol soon emailed me a selection of poignant photos of her granddaughter from over the years. These images were deeply touching and a source of inspiration as I worked on the portrait.
The Commisioned Handmade Portrait Is Started
From that point on, everything flowed smoothly. I gave Carol a rough estimate of when the portrait would be completed. She assured me there was no rush. We kept in touch a couple of times during the process, exchanging updates and enthusiasm.
When the portrait was finished, I asked Carol if she still planned to visit my studio. Would she prefer that I send her a preview via email, or would she like to see it first in person? Her reply was brimming with anticipation: “How exciting! I’m sure it is beautiful. We’re trying to coordinate a date to come down and get the portrait, so I’ll be back in touch shortly. We prefer to wait for the surprise.”
Soon, the day arrived. Carol, her daughter, and her granddaughter came to my studio. It was a moment I had been looking forward to—finally seeing that familiar face in real life, and meeting the three generations of women who had been part of this journey. As the curtain was drawn back to reveal the commissioned handmade portrait that they were waiting for, there were tears of happiness. The room was filled with joy.
The experience was everything we could have hoped for. The excitement in planning, the thrill of the first reveal, and the deep connection of generations acknowledged through the portrait. And I—was truly rewarded to have contributed to an important family memory.
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