Jill Banks                                        fine artist

A beautiful portrait is a piece of art and history that’s wonderful to live with and can be admired for generations to come. An added plus is that the process of commissioning a portrait can be thoroughly enjoyable as well.  It’s actually fun to orchestrate a piece that’s customized to suit your setting and capture the uniqueness of someone you love or admire.  A portrait makes a very special and cherished gift.

Together with her client, Jill will discuss and determine the subject, setting, dress, style and approximate size of the finished piece, and gather information about where the portrait will hang.  Once those details have been agreed upon and with receipt of a 40% deposit and the signed contract, the portrait process begins.

A photo and sketching session will then be arranged for the artist to use as reference when constructing the portrait.  Jill selects from those photos and consults with the client to choose the best from which to derive the portrait.   If it is not possible to photograph the subject herself, Jill will work from the client’s references to select one suitable for a portrait.  Often more than one photo is used as a reference, but that will be discussed as well. 

The length of time to delivery of a finished portrait will vary based on the complexity and size of the portrait as well as the artist’s current commitments.  The balance of the commission price (60%) is due upon delivery of the painting.

Portrait pricing is based on the number of subjects, complexity of the desired background, and how much of each figure is shown.  The size of the portrait will also be derived from what and who will be included in the finished painting. 

The following prices* are for a single subject, less than life-sized, on a simple background.  Sizes are approximate. These really are just general guidelines for a typical portrait.

Head Study                                $880

(12”h x 9”w - oil sketch painted from life in a single sitting)

Head and shoulders                $2,640+

(14” x 11” to 20” x 16”)

Three-quarter figure                   $5280+

(24” x 18” to 30” x 40”)

Full figure                                    $6,600+

Prices do not include taxes, travel expenses (if outside the D.C. area), framing or shipping.

*Prices are subject to change without notice.