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FAQ

After reading the questions that I ask my clients, you may have a few questions of your own. Here are some general questions along with my answers.

What is graphite pencil?
Many people still refer to the graphite in a pencil as lead, but it is really the mineral graphite. Yes, regular pencils with different variations of hard and soft values. I refer to it as "graphite pencil" because in the art world there is a wide variety of "pencil" such as colored pencil, charcoal pencil, and pastel pencil.

What is pastel?
Pastels are pigments mixed with a binder (the substance that holds the pigment together). The more binder in a pastel the harder the pastel and lesser the pigment. I prefer to use soft pastels because they have more pigment and less binder which results in vibrant colors.

What is oil paint?
Oil paint is composed of small pigments mixed with drying oils. These drying oils have different degrees of drying times. Linseed oil dries faster than walnut or safflower oil.

Why is oil painted portraits so expensive?
My answer is because of the time and energy involved. Oil paints dry very slowly therefore it is difficult to consistently and quickly apply layers. Sometimes I like the slow drying process because it allows me time to mix and blend colors, but in other areas it will prolong the painting process.

What medium will last longer?
All of the mediums will last long if framed and stored properly. The more you move a painting or drawing without care the more it will slowly ware. Keep your paintings and portraits on the walls. Oil paintings will last longer than graphite pencil and pastel, again if stored and cared for properly. Water will not harm oil paintings the same way it would a graphite drawing or pastel painting. This is why you will find that most of the art hanging in art museums are oil paintings.

What if I want a 16" x 16" square? or My wall would look better with a 25" x 15" portrait and frame, is that possible?
Yes! That is the complete beauty with a custom portrait. You could have any size you want, but that will not necessarily always give the artist an easy area to paint. All sizes for canvas (the surface I paint on with oils) that are not standard I would have to order from a supplier and that pricing would be included in the supply fee.

Why custom frame your paintings?
Custom framing is the polish on any painting. It can either hinder or supply toward the beauty of the painting. Don’t be afraid of creative frames that accent your artwork. Frames are meant to accentuate the painting. Dull frames do not necessarily make paintings “pop” but will often dull the artwork. Of course you don’t want the frame to be too bold or to loud for your delicate paintings, Subtle colors and mats will accentuate the uniqueness for your artwork as well as establish a mood. With all of this said, custom framing gives you access to numerous amounts of frames, mats, and color choices which will give you options to find the right frame for your artwork.

What is good about a professional photographer’s reference photos when I have a picture of my own?
Reference photos for me to draw your custom photo have the ability to improve the outcome of your painting by 50%. The benefits of a photographer taking the photo allows potential for more attractive lighting, beautifully shaped shadows, and crystal clear color. My photographer, John R. Pennington, has the passion and equipment to produce a photograph that would give me a high quality reference photo to work with. If you would like a picture but it is of low quality, the pose is adorable or the picture captures a moment yet is blurry or has harsh shadows or blown out lighting, John and I can work together with you to replicate the pose, moment, etc. for your portrait. If you do not have a preferred photo but want artwork for a gift, your office, your company, or a family portrait for your living room then we would discuss what you are looking for and what subject you want then John and I could put together the right reference photo for me to paint the right portrait for you. To contact John by visiting his website at www.johnrobertpennington.com or call him at 703-899-1765.