Photography for Portrait Commissions
I am happy to paint from good quality photographs, but the best photos don’t always serve as a great reference for a painting. Here are my tips for taking great images for a commission:
Lighting: Use natural light whenever possible. Outdoor light can be very flat so try sitting your subject inside next to a window, remembering to switch off any overhead lighting. Although direct sunlight can produce some fun effects, its best to stick to a soft light for a more flattering image.
Expression: Keep the expression natural and fairly neutral. It’s good to capture the sitters personality as much as possible but in my opinion paintings work best from a natural pose. It helps if the sitter imagines they are actually sitting for an oil portrait and may need to hold the expression for several hours. In particular it’s best to avoid big toothy grins which can make a lovely photograph but doesn’t always translate well into a painting.
Clothing: Be aware that light or bright coloured clothing will reflect light and colour back onto the face. This is not always a bad thing, but if you are commissioning a head and shoulders portrait (where the clothing will not be included in the portrait) I would advise the subject to wear a dark colour to avoid refected light.
Angles: Take multiple shots from different angles. This allows you to capture the subject's features more accurately and provides you with a variety of perspectives to choose from. I love to receive a few photos so I can get a good sense of the subjects features and character.
Resolution: Ensure the photographs are high resolution. Clear, detailed images will help me capture subtle features in the final artwork. Most smartphones are capable of producing a good quality image to paint from.
These tips should help you get the best reference images for your portrait commission. If you are unsure whether a photo is suitable for a commission please contact me and I will have a look! I am always happy to give specific advice and guidance for getting the best reference photos. Alternatively I can travel to your location and take the images myself. This can be a great way for me to get to know the subject and capture their unique qualities in the finished painting.