Albert Slark Painting a portrait
?Procedure as follows:
A general meeting with the client to go over, the size, colour, canvas or panel, composition, what key the portrait is to be painted in, i.e. high key or low key? Where the portrait will hang, and most important of all, what they are looking for in a portrait and whether or not I am able to meet their demands.
On the second meeting a non-refundable deposit of 35% is required and a photo shoot is set up, from there a contact sheet is sent to the client to review.
After they have chosen their favorite shot, a colour sketch is painted and presented to the client, if possible a sitting from life is preferred at this stage. The sketch is for sale at an additional price, it is the property of the artist.
After the sketch is approved by the client, work on the portrait begins.
Stage 1. The Drawing
A through drawing of the subject is executed in pencil; this establishes the “likeness” and sets a foundation for the artist to build on.
Stage 2.The Underpainting
A thin wash? of pigment known as an imprimatura is washed over the canvas, this sets up the underpainting. After that is dry, the undepainting begins..? thin layers of oil paint are scrubbed over the drawing, indicating the shadows, mid tones and lights. The background colour is lightly painted in.
Stage 3. Over painting
After the underpainting is dry, the finishing begins. Subtle modeling on the face,
Detailing the features, painting the clothes and finishing the background.
Stage 4. Finishing
The final and most exciting part of the painting is the finishing stage where thin glazes of colour, high lights, accents and scumbles are gently applied over the entire canvas.
Once the painting is dry, a coat of retouch varnish is applied to the surface. The finished painting is presented to the client and upon acceptance the balance owing is paid.
