The first part of the process is to decide on the media: charcoal, pastel or oil; and the scale of the painting: how many people will be in the painting and will the painting include hands or the full figure. Olivia is happy to help with this part of the decision making process.
The artist will then meet with the person who is to have his or her portrait done and take lots of pictures. The meeting helps the artist get to know the sitter and the photographs help to supplement the sittings that usually come at the end of the project. Although a painting done entirely from life is preferable, it is not always realistic for most people’s schedules.
The portrait is begun in the studio. For a painting, compositional
sketches are drawn up for the client’s approval. Then the painting
is begun with an opportunity for feedback along the way from the sitter
or the person commissioning the portrait.