Commission a Portrait
The process of commissioning a portrait is simple, and we will walk you through from start to finish. Client to artist communication is very important in producing a beautiful portrait or custom painting. This page is a comprehensive overview. If this is too much for you, just call us at 770-461-5787 and we'll be happy to talk to you about your project or portrait.
Below you will find an outline of the Process and Procedures of commissioning a portrait, along with the Terms and Conditions that will apply to each commission. If you agree with the terms and conditions, please proceed through to the Quick Sketch Form, Commission Form, or the Printable Commission Form links at the bottom of the page. If you will be using the Printable Commission Form, please see these instructions for Mailing Copies of Your Photographs.
Check out the Photography Tips page for helpful hints and ideas for creating your own photographs. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
Commission
Process and Procedures
Selecting your Photographs: We recommend choosing photographs that speak to you and really reflect the essence of the person or pet. Even snapshots with busy backgrounds will work. We will work with you in narrowing down your selection, and creating a beautiful composition from the materials that you present to us. Please send us multiple images if possible. If you have an idea for a portrait, but do not have a photograph, please see the Photography Tips page for helpful hints and ideas. Please be aware that our clients will be fully responsible for copyright restrictions on any photographs that are sent to us. If you wish to commission a professionally done photograph from our photographer, please contact us for more information. If you have an image that was taken in a photography studio, then you must acquire written copyright release or permission to use it for a derivative work.
If you would like additional information on sending or downloading photographs, please click here.
Initial
Contact:
Contact us via
phone, e-mail, or post. Please include a Commission Form, filled out
to the best of your ability, as well as any copies of photographs/examples that
would help us have an idea of your style and vision. By submitting a
Commission Form, you are confirming that you have read, understand and agree to
the Terms and Conditions of commissioning The
Brown Brush, especially involving copyrighted photographs. We welcome
you to contact us at any time with questions, ideas or concerns.
Consultation:
The consultation
is simply a way for us to connect and discuss the topics covered in your
Commission Form, including your ideas, photographs and style. Your
consultation session can be done at your home or over the phone if distance
restricts a personal visit. We will want to know about the person we are
painting (and meet them if possible), as well as your ideas for the finished
piece. We will discuss where you are hanging the piece, framing and other
options to enhance your portrait. We prefer to record all consultations so we can take accurate notes
later, allowing us to participate more fully in the conversation. In
lieu of recording, you may opt to type and e-mail a fully detailed recount of
your requests and ideas from our consultation, including any revisions that
you’d like to make to your original Commission Form. From this, we will
prepare a Commission Proposal, which outlines the final decisions, vision
and goals for your portrait.
Commission Proposal: We will contact you with a written version of our conversation, called the Commission Proposal, which will provide the details of the portrait from our discussions. Your Proposal will reflect the price of the painting with a 50% deposit due upon your approval of the Commission Proposal. A returned and signed proposal and/or a 50% non-refundable deposit confirm the commission, and reserve a place for you on our calendar. Any changes that are requested after the Proposal is confirmed must be submitted in written form. These will be written up as a Change Order and may involve additional costs and time allowances over and above the original Proposal.
Sketches: A signed Proposal includes up to 2 sketches free of charge. Sketches requested prior to a Proposal will be billed at $75 each. All sketches and artwork remain the copyrighted property of the Brown Brush and the artist who created them.
Final Approval: When your painting is complete, you will receive an 8x10 proof and/or an e-mail copy of your portrait to look over. We may confer on any changes that you'd like to make, and we'll work until you're happy with the final piece. Final approval, or any requested changes should be made in writing. If we discuss changes over the phone, we may submit a written copy of your requests as verification. Additional proofs will be sent out following any changes until you are happy with your portrait. Please be aware that depending on the extent of the requests, the time line may need to be extended on the portrait. We may also discuss options such as framing, reproductions of your portrait, installation, or other products or services that interest you. Once you give final approval, the remainder of the balance is due in full. Once final approval is granted, any changes that you request will entail additional charges. Your portrait is then finished with a UV coating, framed (if indicated on your order), and shipped or delivered.
Delivery:
Standard
Ground delivery with professional packaging will be quoted for each commission.
If you’d like to upgrade to a Rush Service, we will quote a price at the
time of shipping. The entire portrait process takes anywhere from 2
weeks for Sketches to up to 12 weeks for Masterpiece portraiture, and can take
longer in the case of revisions.
Rush
Orders: As we only have a limited number of
commissions that we can accept per month, we cannot always accommodate Rush
Orders, especially around holidays. Every portrait is meticulously
completed by hand and requires many, many hours of time. Since your
finished artwork will most likely become a cherished focal point, we strongly
recommend not rushing the process. Please contact
us for more details.
Presentation: Every portrait will be professionally packaged for delivery. If your portrait is a gift, or you would like to make a special presentation, please see the presentation drapes for sale or rent in the Store
Reproductions:
Please visit the Store for
d
Special
Considerations:
Please
consider the following details, which you will find on the Commission Form.
These are essential in establishing a working plan for your portrait:
Style
guidelines: An
idea of what style of artwork most appeals to you.
Do you have a favorite painting or artist?
Are you casual or formal? The
more information that you can give us (photos, magazine clippings, favorite
artworks, etc.), the better!
Other
Helpful Information:
Style of Décor: Photographs of the room(s) in your home where you are considering displaying the portrait. This helps us establish a sense of your style when working on the piece and when advising on frame selection.
Subject Details: Photographs of the person(s) being painted at a similar age and angle as the original. Sometimes the original photograph may capture a wonderful pose and expression, but details are lost because of lighting. Alternative photographs allow us to best capture every detail.
Other
Details:
If the
clothing/jewelry will be a special feature in the portrait, it is especially
helpful to have additional photographs. A picture of the dress or outfit
in which the person was photographed, straight on from the front and back, or
close-ups of special jewelry are very helpful in filling in details which may
be lost in the original photograph.
Please
feel free to contact us at any time during the portrait process with additional
ideas, inspirations, or questions. We
look forward to working with you on what will become a very special part of your
family heritage.
Terms and Conditions
Please read the terms and conditions below which apply to all
custom and commissioned orders. By submitting a Commission Form or
photograph to The Brown Brush, you
are confirming that you have read, understand and will abide by the terms and
conditions below:
1.
The Brown Brush is committed to your
personal privacy. Your name and information will never be resold or
shared with other companies.
2.
The Brown Brush retains all the
rights to the final artwork. Copies of your artwork may be featured in our
portfolio, on marketing materials and on our website. For your privacy,
surnames will not be used in any part of the portrait title or published in
the materials mentioned above.
3.
We recommend that all photographs be sent in e-mails in high resolution .jpeg
format, or mailed in traceable packages (e.g. delivery confirmation).
Please do not send negatives or irreplaceable original photographs through the
mail, as we cannot be responsible if they are lost or damaged in transit.
Your original photographs will be returned to you with your portrait.
4.
A 50% non-refundable deposit is required upon approval of your initial sketch
and with the returned/signed contract to commission. The remaining
balance of your portrait is due in full at final approval before the painting
ships.
5. By submitting a photograph for commission, the client confirms they have full rights to the image or have permission to copy the image and subject(s), and agree to indemnify The Brown Brush from any claims to the contrary.
I agree with the terms above and would like to Commission a Quick Sketch
I agree with the terms above and would like to Commission a Portrait