About Portrait Commissions
If you are interested in commissioning a portrait or painting from me, please send an email to tess AT tessmyers.com with your proposed reference pictures (no more than 20) and a size request. I will work with you to determine if the portrait can be painted and we can sort out the details from there. Below is some information you will likely find useful.
See my human portraits here, and pet portraits here
See my human portraits here, and pet portraits here
Prices (USD)
Size |
One face |
Two faces |
Single pet / Double pet |
9x12" |
$225 |
$350 |
$125 / $160 |
12x16" |
$275 |
$400 |
$175 / $210 |
16x20" |
$475 |
$650 |
$300 / $375 |
I work on high quality cold-press 100% cotton archival paper with a square cut edge. Other sizes and types of paper are available on request, as is framing and matting. Shipping will depend on the portrait size, your location, and framing.
Reference Pictures
Not all photographs make for good portraits. Often a good photograph doesn’t make for a great portrait, and sometimes an uninspiring photo makes for a thrilling portrait. Here are some suggestions for selecting and taking promising reference photos. Beyond the first quality requirements, these guidelines are all flexible, and I will work with you to pick out the best photo for the portrait.
Basic quality requirements
Good focus and resolution (not pixelated), and sufficient lighting to clearly make out the subject’s features. If the pic doesn’t satisfy these conditions I probably can’t work with it. Ideally the subject’s entire head and shoulders or area to be painted will be included in the shot, but there are cases when I can extrapolate to complete a shoulder or hair that isn't shown. This doesn’t always go well though, so it’s best to provide a pic with everything important already in the frame.
Lighting
Soft directional lighting is better than diffuse lighting. Diffuse lighting tends to flatten the features, which makes it harder to see and represent the unique planes of the subject’s face. Really harsh directional lighting can look cool, but the strong shadows tend to obscure facial subtleties. In my experience, the most compelling portraits contain both warm and cool light.
Expression
I tend to prefer the classic portrait presentation, with the subject looking straight on with a neutral expression. I find that neutral expressions contain the most intrigue, but ultimately the subject should be pictured looking like themselves, whether that be smiling, pensive, or otherwise.
Makeup
Given the option I always prefer to paint the subject with a bare face. Filters are similarly discouraged because they reduce facial nuance and character. However, the subject should be comfortable and not discontent with their appearance. A photo doesn’t always show the beauty and individuality that lies in every face, but ideally the portrait will.
Selfies
Close up selfies often have a bit of fish-eye distortion that doesn’t translate well to paint. Sometimes selfies will also cut off the top or side of the subject’s head, which is not ideal. You can certainly take your own picture, but it’s best to take it further than arm’s length away. Try using a timer or a selfie stick!
Basic quality requirements
Good focus and resolution (not pixelated), and sufficient lighting to clearly make out the subject’s features. If the pic doesn’t satisfy these conditions I probably can’t work with it. Ideally the subject’s entire head and shoulders or area to be painted will be included in the shot, but there are cases when I can extrapolate to complete a shoulder or hair that isn't shown. This doesn’t always go well though, so it’s best to provide a pic with everything important already in the frame.
Lighting
Soft directional lighting is better than diffuse lighting. Diffuse lighting tends to flatten the features, which makes it harder to see and represent the unique planes of the subject’s face. Really harsh directional lighting can look cool, but the strong shadows tend to obscure facial subtleties. In my experience, the most compelling portraits contain both warm and cool light.
Expression
I tend to prefer the classic portrait presentation, with the subject looking straight on with a neutral expression. I find that neutral expressions contain the most intrigue, but ultimately the subject should be pictured looking like themselves, whether that be smiling, pensive, or otherwise.
Makeup
Given the option I always prefer to paint the subject with a bare face. Filters are similarly discouraged because they reduce facial nuance and character. However, the subject should be comfortable and not discontent with their appearance. A photo doesn’t always show the beauty and individuality that lies in every face, but ideally the portrait will.
Selfies
Close up selfies often have a bit of fish-eye distortion that doesn’t translate well to paint. Sometimes selfies will also cut off the top or side of the subject’s head, which is not ideal. You can certainly take your own picture, but it’s best to take it further than arm’s length away. Try using a timer or a selfie stick!
What about other subjects?
I am open to house portraits and landscape commissions, at my discretion. At this point I am not taking portrait commissions for small children, simply because I feel like I cannot do the subject justice; babies are difficult to paint and no one likes it when their little angel comes out looking suspiciously like an old man.