• focuses attention on character and personality by filtering out color as a distraction
• intricate shading highlights expressive features, like eyes, mouth and smiles.
• graphite pencil depicts and contrasts textures; smooth skin & liquid eyes, wiry curls & soft fur.
• captures the 3 dimensional aspects of a subject that literally pops them off the page
• on occasion, with your consent, I suggest adding colour to key features such as the eyes.
  

At each step of the drawing process, I send you an updated e-photo of the drawing, and future steps can be discussed. Your enthusiastic input not only infuses more energy into the project but ensures that the finished Portrait is one you will love.

I work from a main photograph, with a few others as reference. The standard Portrait contract scenario, to which the prices on the Sample Graphite Prices page refers is a Portrait of 1 photo of 1 subject.

I can merge subjects from 2-3 photographs into one Portrait. Keep in mind that drawing in 2-3 photos is not just drawing the various subjects/items ... I draw so that they are all part of the same time space reality. I can draw items in, and leave others out. I can set items subtly into the background, and bounce others off the page in the foreground.
As you can imagine, this increases the planning, layout and drawing times, thereby increasing the price, although in most instances, if your pictures and ideas are clear, this is a minimal amount. Another factor that may increase the project time when dealing with merging numerous photos, is drawing all the components to reflect the same light source, which is what dictates all of the highlights and shadows, depicting the 3 dimensional properties.
All time lines and costs are confirmed within the initial contract.
*At any stage, should we wish to deviate from the initial contract, an amendment will be drawn up, outlining the additional details and any associated costs. Upon agreement and signing of the amendment, the drawing process will continue. This will give us more freedom to create the drawing you want. I retain all rights to decline or make artistic changes that will benefit the finished work of Art.

• The initial stage: checking out my website, contacting me, letting me know what type of Portrait you would like; # subjects, orientation, compostition, your budget, your deadline, your expectations. You send me photos. I draw a quick sketch, to ensure we are on the same page. I send it back to you, along with a contract. (Quotes will be honoured for 30 days). Upon your approval, returning a signed contract to me, (via fax or regular mail), with payment, we would move onto the next stage.
• The planning stage: Depending on whether or not you have done your homework, replying to my questions, suggestions, inputting of your own, this stage could take as little as a week, or as long as need be, until you are satisfied. If you are on a budget, you could save some money in this stage: Know what you want; ask questions and share your comments.
• The drawing phase: up to 6 weeks, depending on # subjects, size, composition, detail and current workload.

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