Composition for 3 in a portrait

[Chris Saper]

Hi Virginia,

I am so glad that you are busily engaged in this three-person work! One of the most difficult things I have found, as the number of subjects increases, is to find a composition that pleases the client, and still pleases the painter. By that I mean that for a portrait to also be an interesting painting, it is difficult to have every subject have equal importance/facial access, and/or eye contact. I have found that many clients are unwilling to give one person "short shrift"...although I must say the Sargent painting is a clear exception!

By the way, I completely agree with Linda, multiple person paintings, although convention gives multiple subject discounts, in fact should probably have pricing premiums.

Good luck, I hope to see you soon,
Chris