Commissioned Portraits

I work from my studio to create finished portraits from your photographs or mine. Paintings can be done in one color (monochrome) to create an antique look:

charcoal grey

burnt sienna

or in the usual manner on white or colored paper:

white paper

colored paper

Using your photographs

The quality of the reference photo(s) from which I work are very important. Before accepting any commission, I will evaluate your photo to see if a suitable painting can be created. (Outdoor photos seem to work the best.) If you have more than one photo of your subject, please select your favorite, but by all means send them all. What one photo lacks in color, facial expression or resolution, another may provide. You can either e-mail or snail-mail your photos to me.

E-Mail: If you do not have access to a digital camera (for new photos), or a scanner to convert your existing photo into a digital format, many copying or photo developing services such as Kinko's, Office Depot, or local camera shops will convert your photo for a small fee. Acceptable formats for digital photo files are .JPEG, .TIFF and .BMP. The file size should be 5MB or less as most Internet Service Providers will not accept anything larger when you e-mail. Send your photo to pharris@pharris-studio.com.

Snail-Mail: Please protect your photograph for mailing by either sending it in a rigid, cardboard mailer designed for multi-media (available at the post office for a small fee), or by surrounding it with pieces of cardboard. If you are concerned about the photograph becoming lost, please send it Registered Mail, Return Receipt Requested. This service provides tracing and also notifies you upon the photo's receipt. After evaluation, I will return your photo via the method in which it was sent, or with the finished portrait.

Please contact me by email for mailing address.

Using my photographs

Although slightly more expensive because of the travel and sitting times involved, this is the best possible way to create a finished portrait from a photograph. If you happen to live within Central Florida, I will be happy to travel to your home and take photos in the setting of your choice. (Outdoor photos seem to work the best.) From among the numerous shots I will take of the subject in various poses, you will choose your favorite. These "proofs" can be sent to you via e-mail or regular mail. Not only does this method provide better communication between artist and subject, it provides better inspiration. . . What a difference it makes when the artist, because of first-hand knowledge, is able to infuse your portrait with personality!

Types of portraits and fees

Click here for description of Types of Portraits

Click here for Fee Schedule

Longevity

All portraits are painted with premium quality watercolors. I use only the finest archival* materials to ensure that, with proper care, your painting will endure for many generations. When permanent colors are used on pure rag watercolor paper and the painting is kept under normal conditions as other objects of art, watercolor is as permanent as any other medium. Contrary to popular myth, modern watercolor paints are not subject to fading from sunlight—at least not any more than other media. True, there are semi-permanent and "fugitive" (borderline) pigments that will fade when exposed to direct sunlight, but at no greater rate than the same pigments in oil, acrylic, pastel, etc. To be on the safe side, however, and to preserve all colors intact, I recommend that no painting be exposed to extremes of moisture or direct sunlight.

Waiting time and guarantee

Please note that I often have a waiting list, so if you plan to give your portrait as a gift on a special occasion or holiday, plan well in advance. You should allow at least three to four months from start to finish. Please see the Fee Schedule page for further detail on interim approvals and satisfaction guaranteed policy.

*presentation quality mat provided with finished painting.