Portrait Pricing Explained in Detail

Thank you so much for viewing and choosing JustJoszie's Fine Art. Here you will find more information. Inquiries are always welcomed and appreciated so that I can be more efficient for you.

If you are interested in a Custom painting or would like a price quote for any type of Portrait please feel free to reach out at your convenience I am only as good as the photo you provide. A Soft and Hard copy is needed for work to begin. 

All custom work is done by contract there are no exceptions as well as a 50% non-refundable deposit.

The artist will also let you know if your photo is suitable to be recreated, within 24 to 72 hours of receiving it. Most common is the photo is flat which means shadows and highlights over blend. Flat lighting illuminates the scene, however it does not bring out depth and detail, or add any intriguing character. In general, however, flat lighting makes a photo look rather dull and lifeless. The other most common issue is, it looks like a great photo but it is not of High resolution therefore the photo pixels defuse and distorts when enlarged the detail of the subject whether human or inanimate blurs. The easiest way to check is in any photo viewing program enlarge the photo to 50%, then to 100% and you will see if it is of my standard quality. If unsure feel free to send and we can personally discuss all your options.

*** Also if your photograph has been taken by a Professional person or Business, I the artist must have a written consent from said professional to render. Copyright falls to me the artist once created, if the professional wants initial credit for the capture as photographer he/she must do so specifically in writing. She/he must release copyrights, it is best to have them contact me directly so that they can see the quality of my work.

Pricing

This is hard for me to explain online the most common misunderstanding is that I am trying to over charge.  This is the furthest from the truth as I have meticulously made my own personal formula that best suits all Parties. Most people can see the intensity and beauty portrayed but do not understand the work or skill it needs to achieve. 

because of this I will try to break it down so you can see and understand how I work, why it works and how it gives each unique portrait it's own unique price. 

I start a base price  per square inch. I then incorporate an hourly rate So that you don't get sticker shock. Let me explain one thing before you proceed, a portrait is an heirloom to you and your family for generations to come. Past down from one family member to another over time. I can not sell your face to another buyer unless your famous as easily as the other work I produce. This is not just your photographed enlarged it is an intricate artistic skill- talent-gift to be able to achieve such realism. If all you want is an enlarged photo without offending please do so at your local photo shop. 

So, let's begin

Custom Combination Portraits  starting at $5.00 per square inch for a one-subject  (head  shot) portrait 

• 8 x 10
• 8.5 11
• 9 x 12
• 10 x 12
• 11 x 14 Most Popular Size 
• 16 x 20, 
• 18 x 24, 
• 20 x 28 inches for a portrait. 

These are standard for the convience of framing. I do not frame I can however suggest one. Other sizes are available by inquiry at $6.50 per square inch whether smaller than 11” x 14” or any other dimension in between up to 20” x 28” you must inquire for a rate above 20" x 28" 

The next most common question is why is there a difference when getting a background?

The simplest answer is time as well as a background is considered a painting in itself,

 like this :

Backgrounds are charged by flat rate by size

8 x 10             $100

8.5 x 11          $125

9 x 12             $150

10 x 12           $175

11 x 14           $200 

16 x 20           $300

18 x 24           $400

20 x 28           $500

This painting is currently listed for sale on it's own if I am to add you or your family members to this it comes to reason it would add an additional fee. 

To better explain I will do a side by side example 

"Lenny"Single Subject No background
Head to Mid Chest
11" x 14"
Combination (Charcoal 75% Carbon 20% Graphite 5%)
On Paper
All Rights Reserved

"Moody"
Single Subject with a background
Head to Mid Chest
11" x 14"Combination 75% Charcoal, 25% Graphite
On Paper
All Rights Reserved

For pricing sake let's make the comparisons 

To be fair to all clients I do not see how it would be fair to charge Lenny for a background he didn't get.

 If I was to set one do all end all flat rate I would have to charge All whether they were to get a background or not... makes no sense does it?

Ok, next point do a flat rate At Lenny's Price and when and if some wants a background I eat the difference in time? unfair to me? 

So if you want extra sprinkles there's an additional fee. Fair to all 

So, for example, an 11” x 14” single subject no back ground portrait (Lenny)  is a total of 154 square inches at My current rate of $5.00 per square inch the price $5.00 times 154= $770.00

Proportion

The photo below shows proportion of Subject Please understand each arrow indicates approximately 4 hours of work above the a standard head shot a head shot which is approximately 22 hours of work start to finish on an 11 x14 surface at my going rate of $40.00 per hour totaling $770.00 or square inch of $5.00 at 11 x 14 = the same $770.00 . Therefore an additional rate will be added respectfully. At one forth  my hourly rate of $10.00 so you would add $40.00 per arrow below of additional subject. 

• per arrow indicated above
•    Total for Head to Neck               4 hrs        $40.00 + $770.00 = $810.00
•  Total for Head to Shoulders          8 hrs       $80.00 + $770.00 = $850.00
•    Total for Head to Upper Chest    12 hrs    $120.00 + $770.00 = $890.00
•  Total for Head to Mid Chest        16 hrs     $160.00 + $770.00 = $930.00
•  Total for Head to Waist                22 hrs    $200.00 + $770.00 = $970.00
•   Total for Head to Hips                 24 hrs    $240.00 + $770.00 = $1,010.00
• Total for Head to  Knees              28 hrs    $280.00 + $770.00 = $1,050.00
• Total for Head to Feet                  32 hrs    $320.00 + $770.00 = $1,090.00

The example above is for 11" x 14" at $770.00

Lil Ms. Ella"
12" x 10" 
Head to Shoulders
total hours 26
Combination (75% Charcoal 15% Carbon 10% Graphite) 

Ella added $40.00 above the base price

Ella's background was not intricate So one third of the 10 x 12 background price was Added at only $60.00

"Caden"
12" x 10"
Head to Knees
total hours 125
Combination (Graphite, Charcoal & Carbon)

Caden Added Head to Knees $280.00

Caden also added a Background $175.00 above the base price

"Lil Ms Hailey"
 12" x 10 "  Head to feet.
Total hours 58
Combination 1 (70% Charcoal 20% Carbon and 10 % graphite)

Haliey Head to feet Added $320.00 above the base price

Hailey's background was not intricate one third of the 10 x 12 background price was Added at only $60.00

For the example of just proportion each segment of the figure taking the average of 4 hours You can now see in this visual the difference. 

SUBJECTS 

Up to this point we have only mentioned SINGLE SUBJECT PORTRAITS

I am now going to explain the last factor in pricing as more than one subject like this example

Bella & Cole
11" x 14"
Two Subject
bella Head to Mid Chest
Cole Head to Upper Chest
Combination Portrait with a moderate Background
$1599.00
total hours 68
(80% Charcoal, 10% Carbon, 10% Graphite) 
All Rights Reserved

A two subject Portrait is $8.50 a square inch and what ever additional items you wish to incorporate and so on as the chart below describes

this may be hard to see if you have difficulty and are considering a portrait Please feel free to contact me. I am here to help. A precious portrait is just that they each have they're own unique expression I will work with anyone to have my work Proudly hung in your home. 

These next portrait have intricate background and intense detail. Structures (as in Houses) or elements (as in Cars) aslo play a roll...

"Eris Cappas"
Commissioned Posthumous Portrait 
18" x 24"
Combination: (55%Charcoal, 25%Carbon, 10% Graphite 10% Pastel)
2 figures with background, 3 Elements (Truck, motorcycle & fence) and 1 Structure

The Tasco's at the Washington Monument
8" x 10" Two Subject Melody head to Feet
John Head to feet
With background and structure
$855.00
Combination (Cahrcoal, Graphite, & Carbon)

Commissioned Memorial Portrait
18" x 24"
Carbon & Charcoal & Graphite Combination
Head to Mid Chest with Background & Element

Also Specific items like toys, dolls, keepsakes, or jewelry 

"Ginger"
Photo-realism Portrait
10" x 12" 
Charcoal on Premium Arches Oil Paper
Single Subject Head to Mid Chest
with background & toy
$825.00
30 hours
8/09/2012

Please be aware there is a a waiting period, as portraits and custom work is on a First come first served basis and then the processing time to create your piece. I take great pride in every piece if an item must be rushed for holiday or occasion extra fees may be applied. 

Thank you in advance

Joszie