Custom portrait in old masters style?

February 6, 2013 4:37 PM

I'm interested in getting a modern painted picture in the Old Masters style, probably oil but open to other mediums, probably a portrait of someone (either custom or just a generic portrait). Any suggestions?

I've looked around on etsy and deviantart, and haven't really come up with an artist that fits the bill. I'm definitely not looking for artists that stray into fantasy or sci-fi (unless it is a extremely well concealed TARDIS) or cutesy paintings. Any suggestions? My goal is to keep it in the middle hundreds, but if the only good options are in the thousands, please let me know - I'll bookmark for when I get a couple of raises!

posted by arnicae to media & arts (12 answers total)

Have a sniff around conceptart.org.
posted by run"monty at 4:49 PM on February 6

I have a 4-digit/5-digit oil portrait painter in my posse. works from photos. i'm sending her website link to you via memail. happy to answer questions, if you have any, and i am sure she is, too.

good oil portraits are not cheap, and it's not just a photo in a different medium.
posted by FauxScot at 4:50 PM on February 6

Via a local attelier, perhaps?

I'm definitely not looking for artists that stray into fantasy or sci-fi (unless it is a extremely well concealed TARDIS)

A lot of skilled concept artists can do a good oil painting.
posted by sebastienbailard at 5:19 PM on February 6

You may want to mention your location, by the way.
posted by sebastienbailard at 5:20 PM on February 6

Eric Michelson. His own website seems to be down, but the National Academy folks should have his contact info.
posted by Sidhedevil at 5:34 PM on February 6

Might take a look at some of the instructors at the Palette & Chisel, Chicago. No idea as to fees, but I suspect 'middle hundreds' is low for a custom portrait...on the other hand, most of the artists I know have lots of 'generic portraits' around, because, you know, practice, practice, practice. So something from inventory might be quite a bit cheaper.
posted by Bron at 5:45 PM on February 6

Court Jones.
posted by Ostara at 5:54 PM on February 6

Depending on which and what aspects you want to adhere to an Old Masters style, contact me. The valuable part is really the quality and endurance of the materials, handmade or not, because the methods should last for centuries with minimal care. Lots of different factors, but it sounds like you are asking for a capable craftsman. The devil is in the details, which is not hard to quantify.
posted by provoliminal at 6:58 PM on February 6

With the caveat that I've never tried it myself, I've been intrigued by stories I've read about buying/commissioning copies of paintings (or paintings in the style of other paintings) from Shenzen, China. There are a bunch of these sites, such as this one or this one. There are a number of things one might find objectionable about this, but it's also kind of interesting.
posted by judith at 8:34 PM on February 6

Hmm, you may want to specify whether you're looking for a painter who will work from life or exclusively from photographs - which will produce very different results, aside from the style of the artist. Typically an artist will work partly from photographs or digital images, exclusively so if you take the route above... but you won't do that, right? (Right.)
posted by infinite joy at 8:37 PM on February 6

Check with local MFA graduate students. Undergrads typically won't have the skills, but at least half of all second- or third-year MFA students in decent programs should be able to do this, and will charge less than a more established artist.

Also, generally the smaller the canvas size the lower the cost. I'd be surprised if middle hundreds could buy larger than 24x36" or so, and even that's super cheap for that size. 18x24" or 16x20" might hit the sweet spot.
posted by vegartanipla at 9:14 PM on February 6

I've been intrigued by stories I've read about buying/commissioning copies of paintings (or paintings in the style of other paintings) from Shenzen, China.

Tried that when I was in undergrad - paid something like $125 (which seemed expensive at the time, being 18) for a copy of a famous work. I ended up with an interesting painting (which I still have) which bears only casual resemblance to the work it was supposed to mirror exactly (down to missing elements, etc.) So...I wouldn't recommend Shenzen's painters unless you're ready to spin the bottle and see what you get, treating the original painting as the inspiration only for the work you'll receive. Also - getting the canvas stretched then framed was surprisingly expensive, FWIW.


If anyone is wildly curious, memail me and I'll send you a picture of the original painting and a picture of the "exact replica".
posted by arnicae at 8:51 PM on February 7