How it Works

PORTRAIT ELEMENTS

Each portrait is a combination of elements. Like a recipe, you choose the elements in a manner which bests suit you.

Subject Length
Head & Shoulder portrait
¾ Length portrait – From Head to Knees
Full Length portrait
Subject Scale
Life size – Full scale (100%)
Small size – Half scale (50%)
Background
Plain background
Decorative background
Media
Pastel on paper
Terracotta on paper
Terracotta & charcoal on paper

SITTINGS

My finest portraits work this way. First, a Photographic Session. I take pictures in various poses of the subject(s). Different clothing can be tried at this time. Your creativity is welcome as we work to identify the look of the portrait. Next, a Decision-Making Session. Once the pictures are developed, I meet with everyone who wishes to decide the elements of the portrait, the pose and the clothing. We view the pictures and make decisions. Finally, the Art Sessions. For optimum results, you have two options: (1) the subject(s) participate in all art sessions or (2) I do some work unattended and the subject(s) participate in some critical sessions. One other option exists for my most time-pressured clients and for subjects who are unavailable for sittings where I work completely from photographs. There are some limitations to this option, which I will discuss directly with you.

LOCATION

Sittings usually take place in my client’s residence. I travel world wide to do portraits in the comfortable surroundings of their own home. From experience, I find that people are more relaxed in their own environment, thus resulting in a more natural and expressive portrait. In addition to my native Spanish and German, I speak English, French and some Italian. This along with my travel and portraiture experience allows me to adapt to many environments with ease. In truth, this is often a wonderful experience for both of us. Many of my past clients are now great friends.

After living many years in London/England, then in the 5 years in Ibiza/Spain, I now live since 2 ½ years in Barcelona. Due to increasing demand for my work in the US, I will now be more often travelling to New York and other parts of the United States.
Only travel expenses from New York to anywhere within the USA will be charged if there is a pool of several commissions, otherwise the full fare will be added to the portrait.

HAIR STYLE

No need to have the hair cut before the Portrait. Fresh hair cut rarely works well for the drawing. Plan to have hair on the long side. Trim a few weeks before the sittings. Consider postponing crew cuts until after portrait sittings.

MY SCHEDULE

Please have a look at my schedule to see when I am available.

TIME

The total amount of time necessary for a portrait varies with the length, scale, background, medium and sitting options chosen. Each sitting takes approximately two hours. A portrait such as Little Girl with Pony-tail requires approximately 5 sittings, including the initial photo session.

A FINAL WORD

It is my pleasure to create great portraits. As families are the corner stone of our society, it is especially gratifying to capture families at their best. And that is often the goal, to capture people as they ideally wish to remember themselves. That these portraits are treasured for many years and generations is testament to their value. I look forward to creating a treasure for you and your family.

www.birgitteknaus.com