Commissioning a Portrait
". . .
creating bronze portrait sculptures or cremation urns of a beloved person or
pet is a privilege for me . . ." |
COMMISSIONING A PORTRAIT:
ARTIST
STATEMENT:
Creating a portrait or sculpture of another
human being is a privilege for me and it requires certain conditions.
To be successful in capturing a likeness, I most definitely prefer to
work from LIFE in a one - on - one situation so that my subject's natural
presence can be felt and be clear to me.
What is as important as
creating a likeness is the feeling that is evoked from the work that we,
the viewer identify with. That is what is exciting for me; to be able to
capture my subject's essence or soul and this can only be done in the subject's
presence. It is then my responsibility to record my impressions in clay, a
synthesis of feelings and observation.
The artist working from life during a
demonstration at the Sundog Arts and Crafts Festival, Saskatoon Sk. December,
2004 |
THE SITTING:
Once the client
agrees to a commissioned portrait or sculpture, a simple contract will be
drawn up between the client and the artist and a deposit made to innate the
commission.
As stated the artist prefers to work directly from
life. Unlike sitting for a painting or drawing, the sitter is comparatively
free to move about. Their presence is what is required.
The artist is
willing to travel to any location or have the sitter travel to his
studio.
The artist requires a full day, at least eight hours, to
create and model the sitter's likeness. Changes can be made throughout the
modelling session. The artist encourages the client and his or her family to
take an active role of informing him of their opinion as to the resemblance of
the developing clay/plasticine during the sitting. At the conclusion of the
session the client can the approve the work.
The artist usually works
in clay or plasticine over a supporting armature. Once the portrait is
completed and approved, it can be either cast to bronze or plaster.
Upon approval and the next deposit, the artist proceeds to mold
making and casting the work to bronze or plaster.
WORKING FROM PHOTOGRAPHS:
The
artist /sculptor will attempt a likeness from photographs only if the
individual is no longer living.
A skilled eye will always detect
the difference between works from life or from photos.
When it
is absolutely necessary to work from photographs, the artist ideally
requires three 8x10 photographs, the left profile, the right profile and one
straight-on or frontal photograph. Also, any photographs describing the
individual at or about the preferred age should be provided. Photographs of the
person smiling are not accepted. If the client is unable to provide the 8x10
photographs it must be left up to the discretion of the artist to judge from
the other photographs provided if he is able to produce a likeness. As a note,
there is more information described for the artist from the profile than from
the straight-on and most of us are not usually photographed from the profile.
Digital images can be posted by the client by email. Via the internet, the
client may forward photographs for scrutiny by the artist to determine if he is
able to proceed to describe a likeness.
When the artist and the
client agree to attempt the likeness from photographs, the artist begins
the portrait and regularly photographs the work and forwards the photos by
email to the client for their approval and input. When the client approves the
portrait from those photographs, the artist only then proceeds to mold making
and casting to bronze or plaster.
TIMELINE:
The artist usually
works in clay or plasticine over a supporting armature. Once the portrait
is completed and approved, it can be either cast to bronze or plaster.
If cast to bronze, an average portrait bust may take up to 3 to
4 months to complete.
If cast to plaster the portrait may take up
to 4 to 6 weeks to complete. Plaster works can be very unique as they reflect
the light so beautifully and are considerably cheaper than cast
bronze.
Other commissions and larger works will need to be
planned with the foundry to ensure completion on the schedule of the
client.
PATINAS:
Cast bronze work is
patinated using chemicals applied under direct heat. The patinas can range
between black, red, brown and green. The bronze work is then sealed and is
mounted in various ways to suit the piece such as renaissance or
traditional.
Plaster works are patinated and sealed with
sculpture wax and, with care, can last many years.
FEE STRUCTURE:
COMMISSIONING A CAST BRONZE
PORTRAIT:
To commission a cast bronze portrait or memorial
portrait urn which includes the whole process from modelling to final patinated
cast bronze portrait is $5,000.00 U.S.
International Currency
Converter Shipping, travel, accommodation or mounting to an
appropriate base are extra and are the responsibility of the client.
Thirty percent ($1,500.00) is required to
innate the commission and another thirty percent ($1,500.00) is required upon completion and approval of the modelled
likeness in clay.
The remaining balance of forty percent
($2,000.00) is due upon receipt of the cast bronze
portrait by the client. (see sample contract below.)
COMMISSIONING A CAST PLASTER
PORTRAIT:
The whole process from modelling to final
patinated plaster cast is $2000.00 U.S.
Shipping, travel, accommodation or mounting to an appropriate
base are extra and are the responsibility of the client.
Thirty
percent ($600.00) is required to innate the
commission, 30% ($600.00) is required upon completion
and approval of the modelled likeness in plasticine and the remaining balance
of 40% ($800.00) is due upon receipt of the cast plaster
portrait by the client.
PAYMENT:
Payment may be made
by money order or a certified cheque.
For all other commissioned
works, fees are by arrangement with the artist and HOLTKAMP Fine Art
Bronze.
REFUNDS:
Because of the skill and
amount of work involved, the initial 30% (the fee for innating the
commission) is not refundable. Every effort is applied to accommodate the
client. Once the portrait is approved, there should be no problem in satisfying
the client.
COPYRIGHT:
Commissioned Portrait
or Memorial Portrait Urn - The copyright to the work remains with the
client, unless otherwise agreed to. The artist with permission granted by the
client may use the images of the sitter's likeness.
All Other Works
- The copyright remains with the artist.
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY:
HOLTKAMP
Fine Art Bronze offers quality bronze workmanship backed up by a
Certificate of Authenticity. Following is a sample copy of a
Certificate of Authenticity
CONTRACT:
Following is a copy of a
simple contract between the client and the artist.
Sample
Contract
DESCRIPTION of a SITTING:
Read an entertaining
description of a sitting
from a client's point
of view. |
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