Impressionist portrait of a beautiful young woman with black hair and brown eyes on a dark green background painted by Talya JohnsonImpressionist portrait of a beautiful young woman with black hair and brown eyes on a dark green background painted by Talya Johnson

To Paint is to Love Again

It’s only when we look with eyes of love that we see as the painter sees. His is a love, moreover, which is free of possessiveness. What the painter sees he is duty-bound to share. Usually he makes us see and feel what ordinarily we ignore or are immune to. ~Henry Miller
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Commission Portrait Process

After four long years focusing on fine art school, I'm so excited to be able to offer commissioned portraits, pet portraits, and custom paintings again. The process of commissioning a portrait painting with me begins with a free personal consultation. During this first meeting we will discuss image style preferences, the desired pose, framing, and where the finished artwork will hang in you house. In order to get a good likeness, I will also try to get to know my sitter either through this first interview or from the process of painting from life. Communication is key for us to find a way of creating a family heirloom and oil portrait that will be cherished for generations. The custom oil painting will be a shared vision between you, the subject being painted, and my artistic interpretation. As a portrait artist, I consider my sitter and clients to be full partners in the portrait commission process.

Impressionist oil portrait painting of little girl punting resting her chin on her hands by contemporary impressionist portrait artist Talya Johnson

Affordable Portraiture

Being the portrait painter that I am means that I believe all people should have the opportunity of being seen, heard, and reflected back in a compassionate artistic manner. I've had many portrait sitters express how they felt validated and empowered through the process of sitting then viewing their painted portrait. ~Tali

Professional Grade Materials

A custom portrait and oil painting by Talya Johnson is created using strictly professional grade artist pigments (oil paint) on archival papers, board canvas, or linen to ensure the longevity of the artwork.

Before committing to the commission process, I will ask my client or person being painted to review my portrait gallery in detail to ensure they are familiar with my work, art style and general aesthetic. There is a 50% non-refundable deposit due after our initial consultation, and before our photo session. I will make sure our agreement and time-table is in writing and that I have a good photograph of my subject in hand. If you are supplying me with your own photo for reference, rather than having me complete the photography, I will need a copyright release from the original photographer. The remainder of the deposit is due upon approval of the official portrait, prior to delivery. In general, a small oil painting will take anywhere from 4-6 weeks to finish. The completed portrait the needs 6-8 weeks to dry.

Commissioned Portrait Pricing Guidelines

Small Casual head and shoulder portraits or custom paintings

Full-color paintings are painted on hardboard, or choice of canvas or linen mounted on hardboard. Sketches and duotones are painted on media specific paper. A color study, drawing, and all small casual portrait paintings include the following:

Free 30 minute consultation

Single head and shoulder portrait with a simple background, working from customer high resolution photographs

Minimum for a small portrait or custom painting painted from life is $500 and includes a 2-hour sitting.

Free US shipping. International shipping 15% of painting cost plus duty tax.

For live sittings, artist travel within the Portland, Oregon TriMet area included.

Duatone/Study prices for oil, charcoal or pastel: 6x8 inches $350, 9x12 inches $480, 12x16 inches $750

Full-Color for oil and pastel: 6x8 inches $350, 9x12 inches $650, 12x16 inches $1150

Medium corporate half length portraits or custom paintings

Medium portraits and custom painting are painted in oils or pastels on hardboard or stretched canvas/linen and include the following:

Free 30-minute consultation

3-hour sitting (these can be broken up into two different sittings) or a photo session

Single head and shoulders to half-length portrait including hands if desired

More detailed environment/background.

Free shipping to US. International shipping 12% of painting cost plus duty tax.

Artist travel within the Portland, Oregon TriMet. *Artist travel expenses to outside Portland TriMet will be added to price.

16x20 inches starting at $1920

18x24 Inches starting at $2390

Large legacy three quarter to full length portraits or custom paintings

Larger works and custom painting are painted in oils or pastels on hardboard or stretched canvas/linen and include the following:

Free one hour consultation
3-hour sitting (these can be broken up into two different sittings) and a photoshoot

Single  three-quarter portrait to full length portrait including hands and feet if desired

Specific detailed environment/background

Free shipping to US. International shipping 10% of painting cost plus duty tax.

Artist travel within the Portland, Oregon TriMet. *Artist travel expenses to outside Portland TriMet will be added to price.

24x36 inches starting at $4300

30x40 inches starting at $5400

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