Paintings from Photos

[IMGONNABE40!]

I am thinking of having a painting done from a photograph of DS. The quote I have is $1000 to do a painting from a photo I already have. This sounds a bit high to me. Anyone ever have this done? Better yet, does anyone do this? What info can you give on pricing? Thanks.

 

[janette]

I've thought of having one of my nieces that does oils do a painting for me and that is about what I've estimated it would cost. She said she does them for $10 an hour, it depends on the picture how long it takes.

 

[MeanLaureen]

Wow, your niece is selling herself short only charging $10 an hour! When I was doing pet portraits I was getting $40 an hour. Of course I was very fast and it rarely took much more than an hour..lol

 

[EsmeraldaX]

That does seem very high.

Just a thought but do you have any art colleges or programs near you? I bet you could find a very talented artist who does portraits who could do it for you. Consider putting up signs at these places or at local art stores. Name your price.

When you get some responses, ask to see the person's other paintings and see if you like their style.

A lot of artists looking to make a name for themselves would probably jump at an oppurtunity like this.

 

[snoopy]

It would depend on the medium. Pastels are cheaper than oils and oils are cheaper than watercolors, generally. Also to take into consideration is the size of the painting. I paint with watercolors and my paintings are very large, but generally painting a portrait using a photograph I would charge about $2000.

Depending on the medium and the size of the painting, I think you are getting a good deal.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I know snoopy here would have great input, she has done them, and is very good, knows her art.

****Came back to add an edit.....and there she is. ****

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Thank you one and all. I am thinking about 16 x 20 or thereabouts. I assumed oil. I like your idea, EsmereldaX.
After posting this thread this AM I googled and came up with several places that do this sort of thing for about 1/3 the price I was quoted. Of course the problem is getting something like this done using an online vendor who requires prepayment...

 

[snoopy]

Honestly, I would caution you to go with the artist you know. I could never in good conscience tell you to go with someone online -- you just never know what you might end up with. I can't tell you the number of clients I've had over the years who ended up coming to me after they were ripped off online, or just given an unsatisfactory painting.

 

[JayBee]

snoopy, I'm curious how you advertise for work? Is it "word of mouth" or on the internet, or newspaper?

(Right now I'm trying to market something I make and so I'm very interested. )

 

[snoopy]

JayBee, I work with a couple of galleries, but most of my advertising is done by good old fashioned word of mouth. I had a friend who tried to talk me into marketing my paintings on the Internet, but then I figured I would actually have to be committed to churning them out. Not my cup of tea.

Are you still doing the stained glass?

 

[JayBee]

No.....it was very labor intensive & sometimes bloody.

I now scour antique stores for old wood windows, I then make a shadow box and make flower arrangements using all naturals....when you hang the window on your wall, it seems as if you're looking out at a garden.

 

[Grog]

That's a pretty good deal. I have a couple of friends who are artists (one also sculpts) and that would actually be a little bit lower than what they would charge for something comparable.

 

[snoopy]

That sounds lovely, JayBee. Would love to see a pic!

 

[Auggietina]

My dh has had 2 done, the cost $25 each.

BUT he is currently living in Iraq and they were done by Iraqi locals.

They are beautiful though!