DANA HENDERSON OILS: January 2012

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Devil and the Deep opening, Changes to Pricing

Well, here's my long delayed update on the show : it went great! We had the medium sized gallery packed for the full 4 hour opening, and I raffled off some great prizes. Was a lot of fun, here are some photos from the event:

Also want to point out that my pricing has increased a bit; I lowered my prices quite a bit in 2011 to see if it would increase the amount of commissions I would receive. I ended up getting about the exact same number of commissions as previous years, just less money! I guess you can't just will more people with an interest in portraiture into existence. So I'm raising my prices back to a little under what I was charging in 2010 and earlier. Basic price guide is on the right.

Price and Timeline Guide

‘‘3 Hr Portrait’..........$90

12”x16”
One Week, 1 sitting

Special budget priced piece on heavy canvas paper; work from live model or photos to be completed in a single 3 hr sitting. No revisions, no additional features. SAMPLE

Sketch..........$160
16”x16” or 16”x20”
7-10 days, 2-3 sittings

A rough headshot with a simple toned background on a pre-stretched cotton duck canvas. To be completed in 2-3 live sittings or from photos. Small revisions possible. SAMPLE

Headshot..........$275
12”x16” to 16”x20”
2-3 weeks, 3-6 sittings

A fully rendered portrait with clothing and jewelry detailed and simple background elements on pre-stretched cotton duck canvas. To be completed in 3-6 live sittings with photo reference for completion of details or entirely from photos. Small revisions possible. SAMPLE

Portrait..........$500
18”x24” to 30”x36”
4-8 weeks, 5-10 sittings

A fully rendered head and shoulders portrait with jewelry and clothing as well as still-life props and simple background elements on hand-stretched cotton duck or linen canvas**. To be completed in 4-8 live sittings with photo reference for completion of details. Small revisions possible, larger revisions require an additional fee. Additional subjects can be included for an additional fee. SAMPLE

Highly Complex/Larger or Full body Portraits..........$750+
Any size (MAX 72”x72”)

Works at very large size or with highly complex posing/background elements/lighting etc. are negotiated on a per case basis. Hand stretched cotton duck or linen canvas.

All scheduling and pricing subject to change. Scheduling and pricing does not include shipping.
This is a basic pricing guide and does not represent all negotiable options.

Frequently Asked Questions

A hand painted oil portrait makes an exciting gift for yourself or loved ones. As a piece of decorative art, a personal memory and timeless family heirloom, a powerful connection to both the subject's and artist's basic spirit is manifest in a skillfully painted portrait.

What materials do you use?

My portraits are produced with high quality oil paints on hand stretched linen canvas, or a pre-stretched cotton duck canvas. Depending on the needs of the piece I can also work on wood, masonite or heavy paper.

All the materials are archival; so with proper care they will last for generations. After a one year drying period, at the owner's discretion, I will give the piece a coat of protective varnish at no additional charge.

How much does a portrait cost?

A Portrait's cost depends on the size and complexity of the piece. A rough guide to the pricing of various styles of portrait that I do can be found at my website. Currently portraits are priced from $80-1000; special commissions could cost more.

Payment is typically given in two installments, half at the beginning of the process and half when the painting is actually turned over. For larger commissions a longer plan with further installments can be worked out at the outset.

Do you paint from life or photographs?

I can, and have worked from either. Working from photos and working from life result in equally high quality -but different- types of paintings.

If I am working from photos it is my preference to take them myself so that I have control over lighting, posing and composition. If this is impossible I can work from any good clear photos of the subject.

How do I submit reference photos?

If a subject lives far away or for any reason unable to participate in sittings, I am happy to work from photos sent by email or regular post. Multiple slight changes in angle or pose are very helpful, but a single good shot is all that is strictly necessary. No flash photography please!

How long does it take?

If painting from life, the majority of the work will take place over the course of a number of 2-3 hour sittings for each person being painted (for multiple subjects sitters will sit individually); the number of sittings is based on the desired detail and complexity of the painting. These sittings are primarily to work on the face and hands. If necessary I will take photographs at these sittings in order to do further work on details, background, jewelry and clothing. The entire process can take anywhere from between one to eight weeks, dependent on the complexity of the piece as well as the schedules of myself and the subject. If there is a time limitation, a faster schedule can be worked out.

A general timeline for working from photos and from life is available in the price guide on my website.

Where do live sittings occur?

I can travel to my subject and work in house, but due to practical concerns it is generally easier if work occurs at my studio currently located in Milepost 5 building in Northeast Portland.

I do not live near your studio, can I have a portrait shipped to me?

Of course! Shipping rates will depend on the size and weight of the piece. For larger pieces the canvas can be removed from stretcher bars and rolled up for a much lower shipping cost. General timelines

Can I get a rush order?

Special requests can be made for a shorter working time (within reason). Rush orders will add an additional %15-30 depending on the amount of time to be cut.

Dana Henderson has worked as an artist his entire life, and is a graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art.

He has work hanging in Massachusetts, California, Oregon and Southern France, and has exhibited at galleries in Portland Oregon.

Danaoils.blogspot.com 617.888.3411