Roy considers a successful portrait one where there is an ineffable presence in the work that cannot be accounted for by the sum of the parts. It is more than paint on a two-dimensional surface. Stand before the great portraits of Rembrandt, Velazquez, Sargent and others, and you can almost sense a being. Out of this sense of presence, the viewer establishes a connection with the work that is almost mystical. This alchemy is unique to the painted portrait, and something Roy works very hard at achieving with each commissioned work.
Roy studied art at Gordon College and with many masterful instructors over the years. Blessed with a natural talent and the ability to work many styles, he also creates landscapes and abstract paintings. This broad vocabulary allows him to introduce elements of each into paintings as needed in order to create unique and powerful works of art.
COMMISSIONING A PORTRAIT
A fine art portrait honors the subject and is an heirloom to be cherished for generations. Below is an overview of the process. If you’d like to discuss it, don’t hesitate to send a note to roy@zuniga.studio, or call Roy at (206) 790-4482.
Commissioning a portrait is a 4-step process
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Discovery (1-2 hrs.) – introductions and discussions to understand the intent, vision, setting and scope of portrait, the number of subjects, background, size of the painting, desired delivery date, and review installation and framing options. The end result is a Commissioning Agreement to document the scope of work and cost.
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Studies (3-4 hrs.) – sketches and color studies with the subject. This should be done with the subject as much as possible. Additional supporting reference material, such as photographs of the environment and relevant objects, may be collected at this time.
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In the event the subject is not local, travel may be required. Alternatively, a remove photographer may be hired in close consultation with the artist.
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If the subject is not available, we can explore working with available photographs.
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Recurring sessions may be required to fine tune the composition and lighting and the artist completes the conceptual phase.
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Execution (10-30 days) – the portrait is painted. Includes periodic reviews with the patron.
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Acceptance – the painting presented for final acceptance and installation.
For examples of the process, see Painting Miguel Salguero and Portrait of Lynnea and Banner.
To get started, please complete the inquiry form.
Pricing
Depending on the scope of the portrait (how many subjects, etc.), prices will range from $2,500 to $8,500, or more if the work is very large. With the Commissioning Agreement, a 30% non-refundable deposit is due. Payment arrangements can be discussed. After the studies are completed, the patron has the opportunity to approve the execution phase. Full amount is due upon completion.
Selecting an interpretative style
Painting the portrait is a highly interpretive process according to the vision and style of the artist. If he or she is good, by definition, their work will be unique. Therefore, selecting the artist is a creative choice on the part of the patron. You’ll want to find the artist who suits your taste and whose work is likely become more valuable over time. This choice should be made carefully because after execution starts, there is a significant investment of time and energy on both sides. While the final work should be delightfully novel, the style and execution should not be a big surprise. Be careful to understand the type of look and feel that will be achieved. Catching a potential mis-match early will save both parties time and stress trying to align divergent expectations.
Having said this, Roy has a broad expressive range, working in abstractions as easily as in classical portraiture. As you can see from existing works, even within portraiture, some work is more impressionistic and expressive, while other more classical. This is both a potential benefit and a risk. Unless patron and artist are of one mind on the expressive vision, the final work may not be satisfactory no matter how well it is executed. During discovery and the subsequent studies, care will be taken to zone in an expressive range for the final work. There is some flexibility here, so we’ll be careful to align on expectations before committing to final execution.
Availability of Studies
During the execution of the portrait, drawings, color sketches and other artifacts may be created. Some of these can be made available to the patron at the artist’s discretion.