Nicola presents a quality service and believes that commissioning a portrait should happily meet a client's expectations of observing an interesting, creative process. With each project, the aim is to ensure a run of smooth and well structured developments along the course towards a grand and joyous unveiling.
General guide:
- Contact Nicola with an overview of your requirements - to set the brief. It can be useful to provide some initial photographs of the subject, along with an idea of the type of pose or composition in mind.
- The timescale and price is agreed, depending upon all the relevant factors.
- At this stage, a 20% deposit is paid, with the remaining balance due on completion.
- The meetings take place to connect with the client and/or sitter; for the necessary sketching, photography or other procurements.
- At regular intervals, an update will be given on the progress of your portrait, offering a chance to suggest any minor adjustments.
- A 'final proof' photograph of the end result is sent ahead to ensure that everything has been met with full delight and satisfaction.
- The finished painting is then sent to the framers and the remaining balance is paid.
- The artwork is delivered. (Worldwide shipping available).
Pricing guide: Click here
Commissioning a portrait can be intriguing, awaiting the formation of something that you have helped to create, albeit an experience with many aspects to consider.
A portrait that is hand painted will never be exact and will not produce a direct representation of a person or subject like with a photograph. A painting is unique because it is proudly the way of an artist to make a canvas sing with the soul and essence of the sitter, whereby the viewer is forever engaged with the subject through their expression, sense of life and lasting vibrancy. In this way, a portrait is magical.
Art is highly subjective, which is inconvenient given the fact that a portrait, personified, is conversely succeeding on many levels. There is a potency of innocence through being so personal on the one hand - then on the other hand, there is a blast of utter intensity, confrontation and garish egoism given from its statement of blatant self-expression. Yet all the while it sumptuously seduces, deeply engulfs and even at the same time stirs up an awakening to our own undeniable unification with divine human elements such as love, empathy and connection. It encourages emotions to surface that are heightened depending on one's impression of, or direct relationship to whom is being depicted.
It is arguably true, and perhaps worth noting when requesting a piece of art, that the personality and energy of the artist at play, works its way into the very fabric of the craftsmanship, regardless of medium, and this is something that certainly shines through. A good rapport and mutual understanding between artist and client/sitter is of course useful and practical. Yet, a genuine connection and worthwhile interaction is an excellent match and, with a portrait especially, goes a long way towards creating something truly special.
Portrait of Sarah Kerr-Dineen, departing Warden of Forest School, 2015. Oil on canvas (995 x 795 mm)
Featured Portrait
Portrait of departing warden Sarah Kerr-Dineen for Forest School in 2015 had an article featured locally in The Guardian. Click here to view.
‘I feel that working as an artist is comparable to being a wizard... my magic wand is the paintbrush.’
Nicola Gambin, 2021