Frequently Asked Questions

As I speak with those who have expressed an interest in having their portrait painted I hear a lot of the same questions. So I would like to take this opportunity to address a few frequently asked questions:

1.How long does it take you to do a portrait?
2.I really want a portrait. Why does it cost so much money?
3.What's with your 500 year warranty?
4.When is the best time to do a portrait?
5.Will people view my portrait as an Ego Trip?
6.How do I go about getting a portrait?

How long does it take Robert to do a portrait?

The actual painting takes anywhere from one to four weeks, depending on size. But that's not the whole story. I put a lifetime of experience into each painting. I work in a alla prima technique which helps to give my work a fresh, spontaneous, bravado look. I prefer to get to know my sitters before I commence the work. It is very important that the concept of the painting be developed with the sitter and his/her loved ones. I enjoy brainstorming with the sitter in the choice of setting, clothing, hair style, background, personal objects and other conceptual aspects of the finished work. At this session I give my sitters a crash course in modeling and help them feel very relaxed and present.

An excellent portrait tells the story of the sitter by the way he or she stands, the angle of the gaze, body rhythm, setting, lighting, expression. All these factors help to reveal the subtle information making up the unique personality of the sitter

To accomplish all this I travel to the sitter's home in order to get a feel for his or her own environment. At this session I take a number of photos. I then go back to my studio to come up with numerous compositional and color sketches before arriving at the final concept. Then I combine elements from my photographic and compositional studies with the intuitive impressions I have of the sitter. The painting is nearly complete when I return with it to the sitter, where I apply the finishing touches from life.

Although I have an extensive waiting list I occasionally accept requests to have the work finished for a particular occasion if adequate time is allowed to complete the painting according to my high standards of excellence.

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I really want a portrait. Why does it cost so much money?

My first impulse would be to ask, wouldn't you agree that it's difficult to pay TOO MUCH for something you really want? But seriously, to put the cost of a portrait in perspective I am reprinting the following excerpt from an article in Forbes Magazine, November 6, 1995, entitled "Face Value":

"...The best-known artists, with famous clientele, are now asking from $45,000 to as much as $300,000 to do a portrait. The more notable the artist's clients, the higher the fee.

I have insisted on keeping my fees between $6,500 and $25,000 because part of my mission as an artist is to see that anybody who truly wants a portrait will be able to have one.

Many people don't realize that in many cases a portrait is a tax deductible expense. Let us help you with other creative ways you may be able to have the portrait of your dreams. Remember, you're going to be concerned about price only once, but the satisfaction of having a portrait will last the rest of your life -- and your children's life after that (as you know, my portraits come with a 500 year warrenty)!

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Yeah, what's with your 500 year warranty?

I made the decision when I began doing portraits that it would be better to explain my price one time instead of apologizing for the quality forever. So I trained and honed my skills, apprenticing with my father and studying with other masters. I use only the best Belgian linen, the finest paints, varnishes and materials and put in the time necessary to create a great work of art.

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When is the best time to do a portrait?

In rare cases it is better to wait to begin a portrait. For instance I'v always liked to wait until a child is at least three years old -- when their character really begins to surface. But when I had two children of my own I noticed babies make for great works of art! I actually painted a portrait of DAnny from prenatle 3D ultrasound images! Too many times in my career I have seen people who didn't recognize how fleeting the present can be and regretted not having their portrait done when they first thought about it. In the words of my grandmother, "you don't regret the things you did in life, but the things you didn't do." I would say this is profoundly true of a portrait. Over the years I've seen people delay the portrait past the time they wanted to capture forever, the kids entered puberty or people lost that youthful glow. In two sad cases, the prospective subjects themselves passed away, never having fulfilled their desire to be captured in that special way. As the saying goes, "time waits for no man." The fact of the matter is we will never look as good as we do right now. With regard to money, I just have to share this poem I read somewhere:

The bride white of hair is stooped over her cane
her footsteps uncertain, need guidance
While down the aisle with a wan, toothless smile
the bridegroom in wheel chair comes riding.
Now who is this elderly couple thus wed?
Well you'll find when you've closely explored it
that this is the rare, most conservative pair
who waited till they could afford it

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Will people view my portrait as an ego trip?

Yep! A portrait is a dead give away that this person has a healthy ego. And isn't a healthy ego a wonderful thing to have these days? Our society has finally discovered the importance of building a healthy self-esteem. A portrait says, "I'm proud of myself (or my __________'s) accomplishments. A portrait is really a gift to those who love or respect you; for them it will become a very special work of art to be treasured long after you're gone. Over the years my sitters have expressed deep satisfaction at having been the subject for a work of art. A portrait is literally a celebration of a person's entire life, whether it's a CEO or a small child!

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Okay, Okay! How do I go about getting the portrait of my dreams?

Click here for information about the commission process.

Robert Maniscalso's main portrait page