A portrait artist creates artistic representations of people in which the subject’s face is typically the focal point of the work. Painting, sculpture, drawing, and photography are the most traditional media for this type of artwork, though the range of formats in which portraits can be done is essentially limited only the artist’s imagination. Portraits can be realistic or highly impressionistic, depending on the artist’s vision and intentions as well as the subject’s. Commissions, which can range from painting heads of state to sketching tourists in a town square, are a common way for a portrait artist to get work.
A portrait artist’s first task with each new piece is to determine which format he will use. The portrait’s intended character may have an impact on this decision. For example, sculpted and painted portraits can sometimes be done in such a way that they “erase” their subject’s physical flaws, exaggerate his stature, and give him a look of power or wisdom. Photography, on the other hand, can be used to create a highly realistic and unforgiving portrait due to its precise nature. However, these distinctions are not absolute, and a skilled portrait artist can use his chosen medium to create a variety of moods and effects.
A portrait artist may choose his medium solely for financial reasons in some cases. Painting and sculpting materials can be prohibitively expensive, and completing portraits in these mediums can take a long time. Sketches and photographs, on the other hand, can be made at a low cost and in a short amount of time. As a result, an artist may choose a format balancing labor and material costs with the compensation he will receive for the finished product.
The nature of a portrait artist’s day-to-day work is determined his or her client. In some cases, portraits of high-ranking figures such as university deans, large-company owners, and even presidents are commissioned. This type of commission is typically high-paying, so it necessitates a well-crafted product. Subjects may be asked to pose for the artist for extended periods of time, sometimes in the artist’s studio, other times at the subject’s office or home. The portrait’s intended tone can be left to the artist or dictated the subject.
A portrait artist frequently works in a more relaxed environment. For example, he could set up an easel in a popular tourist area and spend the day sketching strangers who agree to sit for quick portraits. His renderings can be realistic at times and comical at other times. This type of portraiture, which is common at fairs and carnivals as well as in public areas of European cities such as Paris and Barcelona, is usually done quickly and for a low fee.