I apologize for this inconvenience. We are in the process of producing a brand new website and noticed the commissions web page, on the old site, had disappeared. Rather than reposting it, we decided to give you a sneak preview at the new colors, logos and links of our new site.

We also apologize because you MAY find that the only link that works, on this page, is the one back to the index (HOME page) where you will find links to my paintings. Hopefully, by the 15th of December, the new site will be up in tact.

I have been a professional portrait artist for twenty years. I started exhibiting at local art shows in northwest Indiana and ended up an international artist. I have a lot of experience in questions and can perhaps answer some here, as well as let you know how the financial end works.

ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED COMMISSION QUESTIONS.

1. Will you paint a picture of my car, dog or home?
   

   I am a portrait artist. While I do include animals in human portraits, I do not paint automobiles, animals alone or houses. There are many excellent artists who specialize in these subjects and will be happy to create a wonderful painting of your dog, car or home.
   

2. Do you paint from photographs? Isn't that cheating? Shouldn't you paint while I pose for you?



I would love to paint while you pose for me. I love to paint from a live model. However, most people do not have the fifty spare hours to spend seated in my studio, not answering your cell phone, not on the internet, not working.


3. Will you paint my child from his/her school photo?



The first issue is that professionally taken photographs require a signed release by the photographer before I can paint from them. This includes your wedding photos.
The second issue is the quality of the photo. Often, photos that look perfect to you will look flat to me and not result in the best portrait, which is our goal.
So, the answer is occasionally.


4. Do you charge to photograph me for my commission?



I do prefer to do my own photography but I also work from your photos, if they fulfill certain criteria.
I have a $50.00 charge, that will come off the commission price, to spend a half day with you doing photography. I do not watch the clock real closely. Living in Brown County, we can go out in a park or downtown Nashville, Indiana, or indoors, depending on what you are looking for.


I love to paint from natural settings, where the subject is relaxed and comfortable and am willing to travel to your home for same but will need to have travel expenses paid.


For this $50.00, you will have my services with a Nikon Digital Camera, dependant on a signed contract to do a painting. You will receive a CD of your photo session and will be able to go home and get about your life while I paint for the fifty or so hours a painting can take.


5. Why is there such a range in price for commissions?



I love to paint and I love to paint for everyone. I have always tried to work with people who are interested in owning a portrait by me. I have worked out payment plans also. I feel by having a wide range of prices, I am helping more people to own a piece of fine art.


Price is dependant on several factors:


I consider my work to be Impressionistic Realism. Let me stress that you will have an equally painting whether it is in oils, soft pastels or prismacolor pencils.


Pricing: Oil paintings are more refined and take longer to do, so cost more. Pastel work is my middle range and prismacolor pencil is the lowest price.


6. Will it cost more to have my dog, my aunt and three cousins in the picture?



This is the second consideration. Each person has their own personality and their own twinkle in the eye and will add to the cost of the painting.


7. Do you paint "romantic-non clothed" paintings?



Yes! I love painting human flesh. It is that simple. I feel that all people are beautiful, complete with wrinkles, flesh, roundness, thinness, missing body parts and all.


8. Do you supply framing?

No! Over the years, I have found that people prefer to have framing in their taste, not necessarily what I choose, but what will look comfortable in their home.
Oils take frames for oil canvases. Pastels and Prismacolors need to be matted with glass and a frame.

9. How much do you charge?



I will need $50 the day of photography, which will be deducted from the price of the painting.


All paintings are dependant on number of people, medium and size.


A Prismacolor, 18" x 24" one person portrait, with an impressionistic background ranges around $625.00.


A soft pastel, 18" x 24" one person portrait, with an impressionistic background ranges around $1,250.00.


An 18" x 24" oil painting portrait for one person is $2,500.00.


A 24" x 36" oil painting portrait for two people is $3,200.00.

10. How do I contact you?



If you will email me, at Sheryl @ SAVanVleck.com with an idea of what you want, I will have a price worked out and we can talk on the phone about details.