| What is the most romantic thing you can do? Start a | | | | 7) The sitter should sit with his or her body turned |
| portrait painting business - that's what! You will grow | | | | slightly to the side and his or her head facing you. |
| fond of your sitter, have fun painting, and fall in love | | | | The eyes should be on a level with yours. |
| with the portrait you painted. After all, the portrait | | | | 8) Schedule four to five sittings with the sitter. |
| will be your "baby" and you will not want to let it go. | | | | 9) Use a toned canvas. A medium earth tone or a |
| Once you have painted your first portrait, you will | | | | medium grey-blue is excellent. It helps tie the painting |
| see what I mean. | | | | together. |
| People love to have their portrait painted and you | | | | 10) The easiest way to check proportions is to turn |
| can make a substantial income with your exquisite | | | | the portrait upside down. You will notice immediately |
| paintings. | | | | if the features are right. Turn it right side up and |
| How much money can you make? A good, as yet | | | | make corrections. |
| unknown portrait artist, can expect to be paid | | | | 11) There are certain standard sizes for portraits. |
| anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000 for a head and | | | | Here are three of the most popular canvas sizes: |
| shoulders portrait. At this rate just 6 to 7 portraits | | | | 20" x 24" for a head and shoulders portrait |
| can earn you a living. If you become known as a | | | | 25" x 30" for a head, shoulders, and hands portrait |
| painter, you will be able to double and triple that | | | | 30" x 30" for a portrait that takes in the head, |
| income. | | | | shoulders, and hands and goes nearly to the waist |
| Portrait painting takes determination and skill. But it is | | | | When you are ready to "go public," it is time to make |
| also amazing fun. If you want to start a portrait | | | | money from your portrait painting business. The |
| painting business but feel you need more training or | | | | Internet is an inexpensive and effective way to get |
| education, think about taking classes at a local art | | | | excellent advertising. Put up a Web site and include |
| school. Most give evening classes as well as day | | | | pictures of your portraits on the home page and |
| classes. | | | | subsequent pages. |
| You can get a jump your training by taking private | | | | Have a few hundred color brochures printed. Include |
| classes or small group classes. Many portrait teachers | | | | a variety of portraits from babies and children to |
| or advanced students hold private classes you can | | | | teenagers, and from middle aged to mature people. |
| join. Often teachers hold "painting vacations" in the | | | | Include a pet, where possible as paintings of pets are |
| summer where you can get in-depth training. | | | | a big draw. |
| It also helps to study the work of master portrait | | | | Also, design business cards with a small picture of |
| painters. Visit museums as often as possible. Study | | | | one of your portraits. Send your brochure and |
| portraits by Rembrandt and Murillo as well as those | | | | business card with a cover letter to embassies. |
| by Sir Thomas Lawrence, Alfred Stevens, | | | | Here are a few other marketing ideas: |
| André Derain, Gilbert Stuart, and John Singer | | | | * Send out a press release with a picture of one of |
| Sargent. | | | | your portraits. |
| Here are some tips to help you start a portrait | | | | * Auction off a portrait session as a prize for a |
| painting business: | | | | high-profile charity event and have the local |
| 1) Painting portraits is all about seeing. Study people's | | | | newspapers cover it. |
| faces in all types of lighting. Try to see the big planes | | | | * Teach an adult education class about portrait |
| in faces - not the details. | | | | painting. |
| 2) Keep stepping back as you paint in order to | | | | * Finally, if you can afford it, place a small ad in an |
| observe the sitter and your canvas from a distance. | | | | upscale magazine. |
| You should be able to freely step back about eight | | | | Be prepared to travel. Your clients will be located |
| feet. | | | | around the world. Some may want you to paint from |
| 3) Paint loosely with big brushes called "flats." | | | | a photograph only. Others will want you on site. The |
| 4) Light your sitter with only one light source from a | | | | client pays your travel and on-site expenses. |
| 150 watt bulb. The light should fall on one side of the | | | | If you decide to start a portrait painting business, |
| sitter, slightly above the head. | | | | you will never forget your first commission. This |
| 5) Take a few dozen Polaroid pictures of the sitter | | | | exciting home based business gives you more |
| so you can study them when the sitter is not there. | | | | satisfaction than almost any other business on earth. |
| 6) Keep the background simple so as not to distract | | | | You will give the world a stunning work of art that |
| from the sitter's face. | | | | will live forever - along with your name. |