Materials
One of the first things you have to think about when ordering a portrait, is the medium. What kind of expression are you looking for, should it be black/white or should it contain color? Further more each of these media have different looks and should be treated differently. I use three kinds: Charcoal, pastel and acrylics.
Charcoal and Pencil
Charcoal and pencil is the simplest form of medium to pick. It is grey-toned but still holds a lot of expression. Because of this it is very timeless and classic and the object is in focus.
This form is the cheapest, as it is easier for me, as I only need to concentrate on the form and light, and not on color. Also the cost of materials are lower than pastel and acrylic.
I use a different variety of pencils and charcoal in pencil form from Derwent as I create these, but because of the dusty charcoal it needs to be fixated when finished, and it is not recommendable to touch them. Because of this pictures like these should be framed with glass.
As standard these portraits will have a blank white background, but you have the possibility to get some shading or pattern added to it. If you are looking for a detailed background, contact me for a specific price.
Pastel
Pastel portraits are created using both pastel in pencil and stick-form from Faber Castell and Stabilio CarbOthello. Pastels are pure pigment compressed and to day they make the colors very vibrant and long-lasting, which will make for a beautiful portrait.
The strength of the pastel portraits are the colors and the soft feel. This is created by blending the colors together and making soft transitions. Furthermore, there are great opportunities for a strong contrast and these pictures can be both dramatic and realistic.
When drawing in pastel the cost of both paper and pastel itself is more expensive than pencil, and the amount of time spent on a portrait is higher due to the color-scheme and the detail. Hence the price of these portraits are higher.
Because the pigment is loose, the portrait needs to be fixated as charcoal, and should also be framed with glass.
These portraits will come with a colored background of your choice, but you can also add a detailed background.
Acrylic Paint
Acrylic is a form of water-based paint. This means that you can mix the colors with water or put in on alone. It dries a lot faster than oil, and when dry it is water-resistant.
Furhermore the paint will keep it's color longer than oil paint, that has a tendency to yellow as it ages.
I prefer to paint on a canvas in paper form, as the structure of the paper form is gentler than the ones you see hold tight by wood. This will give the portrait a very realistic look, and I can control the intensity of the brushstrokes. I seal these portraits with a clear varnish that can be both matt or shinny, which will add to the expression of the painting.
Acrylic is very good for detailed portraits and will give a classic feel. If money is no object, this would be the medium I recommend, as it has it all: vibrant colors, a classic and majestic look and a long lifespan.
This medium is the most long-lasting of them all and does not have to be framed in glass, as it dries solid and can be touched.
These portraits will come with a colored background of your choice, but you can also add a detailed background.