Procedure and Pricing

In order to achieve the greatest sense of vitality and psychology within a work, Arabella paints directly from life. In adherence to the British School of portraiture, she uses the traditional 'sight-size' method by which she places canvas and sitter side by side, whilst standing back herself several paces between each brushstroke. This technique enables the artist to view both sitter and painting to scale from a distance, thus giving an overall unified focus to the work, with a breadth of handling and looseness of brushwork associated with the past masters of sight-size, such as Sargent and Raeburn.
As a result, Arabella needs a minimum of 4 sessions (1-2 for a drawing) with the sitter, lasting approx 2 - 3 hours. Generally these sittings take place in the artists studio in Chelsea, London (please see contact details for directions). Alternatively Arabella is happy to travel to the sitters home, either locally or abroad, however additonal expenses will apply.
Excluding expenses, there is a 30% advance on all commissioned work.
For more information or to commission work please contact Arabella:

portraits@arabelladorman.com
Tel : +44 (0) 20 7376 3925
Mob:+44 (0) 7702 177 064

Sitter and painting. An example of sight-size technique, after 2 sittings.


PRICES 2008 - 2009

  From Approx Size (inches)
Portraits
Charcoal / Sepia Drawings:

Head & Shoulders
£1500+
20 x 24" (50 x 60 cms)

Half length
£2000+
20 x 24" (50 x 60 cms)

Triptych - Babies and Toddlers (under 5 yrs old)
£ 800+
 12 x 16" (30 x 40 cms)
Oil on canvas

Head & Shoulders
£3800+
 20 x 24" (50 x 60 cms)

Half length

£4800+
 28 x 36" (71 x 91 cms)

Three quarters
£5800+
 40 x 50" (101 x 127 cms)

Full length
£7500+
 48 x 88" (122 x 222cms)

Double/ group portraits (starting at)
£8000+
 Variable
Sculptures

Portrait bust
£2800+*
 Life size

(*Price does not include the cost of moulding and/or bronzing)

Animal portraits (dogs, horses etc)
Charcoal

Head
£ 800+
 16 x 20" (40 x 50 cms)
Oil

Head
£1800+
16 x 20" (40 x 50 cms)

Full body

 £2500+ Variable

£900 extra for additional subjects eg dog/ baby etc
15% surcharge for travel outside London.
Prices do not cover any additional expenses, such as travel abroad, accomodation etc

Arabella is happy to frame the finshed work but this is not included in the prices cited above.

Prices are subject to annual review.

© Copyright 2008 Arabella Dorman. All rights reserved