Sale of Commissioned Portraits

Commissioning a portrait should be an exciting experience, but sometimes it can turn out to be frustrating and disappointing.  As a portrait artist, I would like to offer a few considerations to make your portrait commission a wonderful experience.

  1. Look at the artist's work.  Their website should contain many examples of the artist's work, so that you can be sure the quality is consistent.
  2. Plan well in advance.  While some artists can do a pencil portrait in a couple of days, most professional artists have a number of other commissions they are working on.  While a portrait artist can slip you between other commissions to meet a deadline, it is better if you commission the portrait at least three (3) months in advance for oil portraits and at leadt two (2) months in advance for watercolor and acrylic portraits.
  3. Make sure you like the photos.  Normally, your portrait will be very close to what your photos looks like.  While the artist can make minor changes (such as removing a few stray hairs from the face), it is extremely difficult for an artist to make radical changes in age or appearance.
  4. Beware of oil paintings that are delivered in under 2 months.  Oils normally take at least 2 months to dry and fast drying oils a month before they can be varnished.  The varnish protects the oil paint from the atmosphere and is necessary for the longevity of your portrait.  You should expect your finished portrait to be varnished. If the oil portrait is shipped unvarnished, you will need to take it to a reputable frame shop to be varnished which can cost $50+.
  5. Beware of unstretched oil paintings.  Not only does an oil painting have a tendency to crack when shipped rolled, getting one stretched can be difficult.  Many framers will not do it and the ones that will often charge $75+ to do it.
  6. Beware of bargain portraits.  As the saying goes, "You get what you pay for."  Portraits do take time and materials to do and the more skilled an artist is, the more you will be expected to pay.  Occassionally, artists do list ridiculously low-priced portrait commissions either to generate new business or to fill out their portfolio, but this is the exception.
  7. Beware of a VERY photorealistic portrait.  Thanks to computers, artists now can print a photo directly onto a canvas or watercolor paper and then add highlights.  One problem with this 'trick' is that the inks will fade in 10-15 years and leave only the highlights bright and colorful.  While a few artists will tell a client this is how the portrait is completed, many more will not. Again, an unusually quick turn around time is an omen of future problems.
  8. Expect a good contract that protects both you and the artist.
    • Personal interaction with the subject(s) if possible.
    • Incremental payments.
    • Incremental approval process.
    • Provisions protecting you if you are not satisfied.
  9. Expect a portrature process that includes an approval process.
    • Preliminary discussion
    • Minimal up front deposit
    • Photo shoot if possible
    • One or hopefully two approval stages with partial payments
    • Before the artist ships the portrait - you should receive a final approval of the work.  This way you can have the artist make minor corrections without having to ship it back. Be aware that other than minor adjustments will often be an additional fee.
    • Upon your final approval and payment of the balance of commission, the painting will be shipped to you.
    • Packaging, insurance, and manner of shipping are a seperate expense and should be discussed and agreed upon at time of commissioning the work.
  10. Expect a guarantee.  Portrait artists live and die by their reputations, so most will do what they can to please a client.  In a few cases, this may mean more detailed and/or frequent reviews. Warning, changes not reflected in the original commissioning contract may result in additional expense.
  11. And most important of all, ask questions.  Most portrait artists will be glad to answer your questions before you purchase a commission.

Vennie Beeler's Portrait Procedure


Although a portrait can be accomplished through a series of photos and a general knowledge of a person when there is no other alternative -Vennie painting Carl

A portrait is more than just capturing a likeness of a person's physical features. A portrait is a unique blend of ones physical appearance and inward personality captured by the artist's response to the individual.

1. Initial contact by Email or phone - $100.00 deposit due..

2. An initial meeting, generally at the client's location, is scheduled to:

  • Meeting the client/subject
  • Seeing where the portrait will hang
  • Complete final contract
  • First photo session
  • Initial contract payment
3. Meeting and getting to know the subject prior to the photo session allows the artist to become familiar with the gestures and mannerisms of the subject. This allows the artist to capture not only the outward features of the subject but to also capture their inner personality.

4. If possible it is best if the location that the portrait will hang can be seen and photographed. This can affect background, color, and key of the painting. This is not required in order to do the portrait but is always preferred.

5. The final contract defining the commission and price are completed prior to scheduling the first photo session, generally later the same day.

6. The photo session generally takes two to three hours. Many photos are taken reflecting different poses and lighting conditions. Photos are used by the artist as reference material during the painting of the portrait. No single photo is used to compose the final portrait. Photos remain the property of the artist.


7. Initial 1/3 payment is made at the completion of the photo session plus any travel expenses.


8. After the artist has reviewed the photos and after discussion with the client, a final pose and general design of portrait are agreed to and the preliminary sketch is started. After the preliminary sketch is completed the client reviews it. After the drawing has been approved and the second 1/3 payment is made the final painting is started. All sketches and preliminary drawings and paintings remain the property of the artist.


9. The final painting is usually completed within three months after it is started. Upon completion it is reviewed by the client and delivered to them upon approval. Final payment is made at this time including any travel and or shipping expenses.


Portrait Fees
Fees are only for the original artwork and do not include copyrights or reproduction rights, which remain with the artist. Portraits are generally near life size thus pose and how much of the figure is shown will determine the size and price of the painting. Portraits are done in either oils, acrylics, or watercolors depending on the preference of the client.


Portraits generally have a neutral background. Elaborate backgrounds, additional figures, and pets are available at additional cost.


Copyright Issues
Clarification of Artist rights as protected by the Federal Copyright Act of 1976 and the Federal Visual Rights Act of 1991.
Purchase of a copyrighted artwork does not transfer the copyrights. The copyright to reproduce the works in copies, to produce derivative work based on the copyrighted image, and distribute copies is retained by the Artist. Any transfer of this copyright must be in writing expressly identifying what rights are being sold and for what purpose.


Works of art cannot be modified without the permission of the artist. Works cannot be distributed, mutilated or modified in any way that would prejudice the reputation of the Artist.

The following PDF files are the basic contracts required when commissioning a portrait by Vennie. Click on them and print them as needed.

Model Release Form

Required for ALL living individuals depicted.

Preliminary Commission Contract

Completed at first meeting

Prior to photo shoot