Sitting for a Portrait

The portraiture process can be tailored to accommodate any commission. Although preferably modeled as much as possible from life, portraits can be completed using 3d scans, photographs, drawings, and measurements taken by the artist or others. Typical commissions require four (2) hour sessions, but sittings can be limited to an initial (2) hour session, and a final (1-1/2) to (3) hour session. As the sculptural process can be quite time-intensive, the majority of the work is done in the artist's studio; however, the subject is not required to be present during much of this work. In general, the subject is only needed in the beginning, occasionally to check the progress mid-process, and finally to finish the clay work.

The portrait subject is not required to sit absolutely still during these sessions. In fact, relaxed and natural interaction between the artist and subject helps reveal the subject's personality and interests. Likeness depends more on demeanor and expression than rigid appearance. The subject needs to hold still for only brief moments while the artist studies the details of the face or the pose. When sculpting small children, the sessions are typically shortened, and the children given activities to occupy their attention. Post-humous portraits can be done solely from photographs if the photos show enough information.

The sittings can occur at a time and place of the subject's convenience; indeed, an individual is more apt to be him or herself in familiar surroundings. To accommodate this, the artist is willing to travel to the subject if required. Instructions for photographs and measurements can be relayed to the subject for those who wish to avoid the added expense that such travel involves.