Portrait Contracts

[Marta Prime]

Well, I guess I opened Pandora's box. Lucky I don't unbraid easily!

Peggy,

In no way do I see your distinguished career as your little hobby or think of your paintings as "cute", nor did I think my comment led to that conclusion. You are obviously a very well trained, talented, and professional individual, and one of the artists on this forum I sincerely respect.

I can see there are strong opinions on this subject, and I appreciate all of the valuable information offered.

I do think a contract is a good idea. Your last post dealing with asking the client to sign a separate release when the painting is done for advertising purposes makes a lot of sense to me. A downpayment is probably a good idea also, but how much might depend on how much you charge, to what financal group you are dealing with, and at what point you are at in your career. Your comments about "fake it til you make it" are well advised.

What Steve and Mary are saying seems to work well for them. They make good points also.

As far as clients not being able to come up with 100% when the Portrait is finished....has that happened to anyone?