Your Portrait, Your Artistic Vision

A Collaborative Approach to Fine Art Portraiture

One of the most exciting aspects of commissioning an original portrait is the opportunity to create something that extends beyond the limitations of a photograph. Rather than simply reproducing the background, lighting, and composition of an existing image, Marco works with each client to develop a painting that reflects their individual tastes and artistic preferences.

During the creative process, you will have the opportunity to explore different approaches to composition, background design, color palettes, and overall atmosphere.

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Traditional & Classical Portraiture

For those who appreciate timeless elegance, Marco can create portraits inspired by the rich traditions of classical European painting. These compositions may incorporate deep, atmospheric backgrounds, warm earth tones, dramatic lighting, subtle color harmonies, and traditional portrait arrangements. The result is a sophisticated painting with a sense of depth, intimacy, and enduring beauty.

 

Modern & Contemporary Portraiture

For clients seeking a more contemporary aesthetic, Marco can incorporate bold colors, geometric patterns, stripes, checkered backgrounds, and distinctive visual contrasts. These elements can transform a conventional portrait into a striking contemporary work of art, introducing a modern artistic sensibility while maintaining the subject's likeness and individuality.

 

Color, Mood & Atmosphere

Every portrait tells a story, and the colors and atmosphere of a painting play an important role in expressing that story.

Whether you envision something dramatic and mysterious, warm and romantic, understated and elegant, or bold and expressive, Marco will help develop an artistic direction that complements both the subject and your personal preferences.

From the selection of background patterns to the relationship between skin tones, clothing, lighting, and surrounding colors, each element is carefully considered to create a harmonious composition. Your photographs provide the reference. Your preferences inspire the direction. Marco brings the painting to life through his artistic vision.

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The Commission Process

 

Your Complimentary Personal Consultation

 

Every portrait begins with a conversation.

 

Marco offers a complimentary initial consultation to discuss your vision, answer questions, and explain the commissioning process. Consultations may be arranged through a Zoom video meeting, a telephone conversation, or an in-person meeting at a local café, depending on location and availability.

 

During your consultation, Marco will discuss:

• The individual or individuals to be portrayed

• Your photographic references

• Preferred painting dimensions and composition

• Traditional or contemporary artistic styles

• Background designs, patterns, and color palettes

• Lighting, atmosphere, and overall mood

• Painting surfaces and professional framing options

• Estimated pricing and anticipated completion timeframe

 

Marco will also offer his artistic recommendations, helping you explore the possibilities for creating a portrait that is both personally meaningful and visually compelling. The purpose of this consultation is to make the creative experience enjoyable, collaborative, and comfortable from the very beginning.

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Providing Your Photographic References

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Following your consultation, you will be invited to submit several good-quality photographs of the individual you wish to have painted. Photographs should ideally provide clear views of the subject's facial features, expressions, and distinctive characteristics. Images taken from different angles and under natural lighting can be especially helpful. Professional photographs are not required, although clear, high-resolution images are strongly recommended.

Multiple photographs allow Marco to develop a better understanding of the subject's appearance, personality, and individual features. Your photographs will serve as artistic references rather than an exact composition to be reproduced.

The original photograph's background, lighting, clothing colors, and arrangement may be reinterpreted or redesigned according to the creative direction established during your consultation. This freedom allows Marco to transform an ordinary photograph into a distinctive, original portrait.

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Preliminary Pencil Sketch & Composition Approval

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Once your photographic references have been reviewed and the general artistic direction established, Marco will prepare a preliminary pencil sketch illustrating the proposed portrait composition. This initial drawing serves as a visual study of the painting's overall arrangement. It will provide an approximate representation of the subject's positioning, proportions, pose, and placement within the composition, along with an indication of the proposed background arrangement.

The sketch is intended to communicate the general structure and artistic direction of the painting, rather than serve as a fully developed portrait drawing. The preliminary composition will be shared with the client for review, giving the client the opportunity to discuss the proposed arrangement and request reasonable adjustments. One round of reasonable compositional revisions is included during this initial approval stage. The final colors, textures, lighting effects, and finer artistic details will be developed during the actual painting process, based on the agreed creative direction. The clients approval of the preliminary sketch is an important step in ensuring that the composition reflects your expectations before the painting begins.

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Commission Agreement & Retainer

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Following approval of the preliminary composition, Marco will prepare a personalized commission agreement outlining the details of your portrait. The agreement will identify the painting's dimensions, selected medium, composition, materials, total commission price, estimated completion timeframe, payment arrangements, and any additional services such as framing or delivery. A 25% retainer of the agreed painting price is required upon signing the commission agreement.

This retainer is applied toward the total commission price and helps cover the cost of professional art materials while reserving dedicated studio time for your painting. The remaining balance is payable upon completion, in accordance with the terms of the commission agreement. Once the agreement has been signed and the retainer received, Marco will begin creating your original portrait.

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Creating Your Original Painting

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With the approved composition and photographic references as a foundation, Marco begins the painting process in his studio.

Working in traditional oils or acrylics, he carefully develops the portrait, paying particular attention to the subject's likeness, character, expression, and individuality. Throughout the creative process, Marco applies his artistic judgment to the painting's composition, color relationships, lighting, textures, and overall visual atmosphere. The objective is not to reproduce a photograph, but to create a compelling original painting that captures the essence of the person portrayed. Each portrait is individually painted by hand using professional-quality fine art materials selected for their beauty, durability, and longevity.

Marco works diligently to complete each commission within the agreed timeframe, while allowing the necessary time for careful artistic execution, drying, and finishing.

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Professional Framing & Presentation

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Marco believes that the presentation of a painting is an essential part of the artwork itself. A thoughtfully selected frame enhances the composition, complements the painting's colors and character, and brings the finished portrait together as a complete work of fine art. For this reason, professional framing is strongly recommended for every commissioned portrait.

Clients will have the opportunity to explore a selection of framing styles, including contemporary floating frames, elegant minimalist wooden frames, and more traditional decorative mouldings. Marco will personally offer guidance in selecting a frame that complements the artistic style, color palette, and intended display environment of the painting.

Framing options and associated costs will be discussed during the consultation and may be incorporated into the final commission agreement.

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Completion & Delivery

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Upon completion of your portrait, Marco will coordinate the final presentation, payment, and delivery arrangements.

Depending on your location and the details of the commission, arrangements may include local pickup, personal delivery where available, or professional shipping. Oil paintings may require additional drying time before framing or transport, which will be considered when establishing the anticipated delivery date. Every completed portrait is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Marco Alex, identifying it as an original work of fine art. Whether commissioned for your own home or presented as a meaningful gift, the completed painting is intended to become a cherished family heirloom.

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Portrait Sizes & Pricing

Original hand-painted portrait commissions begin at $1,250 for a single subject.

Canvas SizeStarting Price:

 

• 16 × 20 inches$1,250

• 18 × 24 inches$1,600

• 20 × 24 inches$1,800

• 24 × 30 inches$2,650

• 30 × 40 inches$4,100

• 36 × 48 inches$5,800

Starting prices include a single-subject portrait painted on professional-quality linen canvas stretched over ⅞-inch-deep wooden stretcher bars.

 

Fine Art Surfaces & Materials

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All portraits are created using professional fine art materials. Clients may select from the following painting surfaces:

• Fine Linen Canvas — ⅞-inch Depth: Professional-quality linen stretched over wooden stretcher bars. Included in the base commission price and suitable for a wide variety of traditional and contemporary frames.

• Gallery-Wrapped Fine Linen — 1.5-inch Depth: A deeper linen canvas profile, particularly well suited for contemporary floater frames. Available at an additional cost.

• Linen-Wrapped Wood Panels: Fine linen mounted over a rigid wooden panel, providing a stable painting surface with a refined texture. Pricing available upon request.

• Wood Panels: Smooth, professionally prepared wooden painting surfaces suitable for both traditional and contemporary portraiture. Pricing available upon request.

 

Additional Pricing Details

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Multiple Subjects: Portraits featuring two or more individuals generally begin at 20 × 24 inches. Additional subjects start at $450 each, depending on composition and complexity. Custom Compositions: Elaborate backgrounds, intricate patterns, and special artistic requests may affect the final commission price. Professional Framing: Custom framing is strongly recommended and available at an additional cost. Marco will personally assist with frame selections to complement the finished painting. Payment: A 25% retainer is required following approval of the preliminary composition and signing of the commission agreement. The remaining balance is due upon completion.