How do I eliminate paint?

[Richard Budig]

You can use chloroform (the old-time anaesthetic) to remove oil paint. I've read of its use, but have never done it. A little research ought to help. I've seen it in several books, so the info is available. One important thing -- you have to use it outdoors, or in a WELL ventilated room.

[Sharon Knettell]

I really HATE to scrape paint as that has a tendency to take of some of the primer and perhaps leave the canvas unprotected.

I like to use mineral sprits and take the time to gradually rub it off. Another tool I found is useful is a cheap plastic knife with serrated edges. I did that the last time and it removed the paint without damaging the surface. I very, very, gently scraped it to leave some ridges so the mineral spirts would penetrate more easily.

[Mary Reilly]

Thank you to everyone for your replys. Sorry I didn't respond sooner, but life has been been crazy as I was busy with wrapping some things up before I took off a few days for the portrait conference.
Regarding my "problem portrait", I had hung it on my studio wall until I was mentally ready to tackle it. Now that I am back from the portrait conference I feel rejuvenated and ready to conquer this problem! Next week I will hopefully get to this portrait. I think I will first finish up a couple of enjoyable pieces.
Margaret, good idea to go in with turp and a bristle brush after I scrape away.
I am still feeling frustrated in how I handled the customer (or rather how she handled me). Definitely a good learning experience and will be one of those commissions that I will talk about years from now.

Mary

[Jan Keeling]

Mary, I know of a very successful famous artist who has it in his contract that he is the artist and he makes the final decisions on a painting. He allows the client to participate in selecting a photograph, on which they sign off, and they are permitted input at a clearly specified stage in the painting. After that, he decides if the nose looks like the client's nose!

[Michele Rushworth]

Hard to imagine that he can get away with that, but, hey, when you reach a certain level it's a whole different ball game.

[Mary Reilly]

I think the key is in choosing which stage the client can give input. One of my problems is that my studio is in a public location so the client or anyone else can pop in anytime during certain hours. What I need to tell them is that they can "look but not comment" until I am ready for their input.
If I don't agree with their input, it would be very difficult for me to continue my way even if I was famous. It would always bother me if I thought that the customer wasn't happy with a certain aspect of a portrait.
Ah yes, the joy of being an artist who does portraits - yet it is soooo addicting that I love the challenge of capturing a person on canvas!

Mary