Toliart
Contemporary classic painter and multi-media artist animator.
PORTRAIT COMMISSIONS
I like to work from life if possible, but also use photography for practical reasons, to document the sitting and allow me to expand compositional possibilities further in the studio. As my paintings take weeks , they are evolved in the studio.
I like to meet the sitter in their natural environment as it offers a further insight into their character and allows for the inclusion of personal objects in the composition. I am happy for people to input their compositional ideas and equally happy for them to leave that entirely to me.
After the first sitting, I work out a composition for the portrait and prepare a drawing for the client’s approval. Sometimes several possibilities emerge for the final work and I like to explore them all.
Once the composition is agreed I begin the painting in my studio. I might need to come back to the sitter for further life sittings, if they have the time to commit to them, or more photographic references. It takes a few weeks to complete a painting.
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PAINTING TECHNIQUE​
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Ground Preparation and Underdrawing
​A panel or canvas is prepared with several thin layers of gesso, sanded between layers. The structure of the gesso, whether applied with a brush or by some other means, plays an important role in determining whether the portrait is painterly, or refined in appearance. A thin layer of burnt umber is laid down evenly as a ground and allowed to dry thoroughly. Working from a suitable photo, the head is modeled in thin layers of burnt umber with a fair amount of detail giving the illusion of light moving across the form from a single light source. Each layer is kept transparent even in the darkest shadowed areas.
Underpainting
​Once the drawing is completely dry, the head is built up in combinations of transparent zinc white and opaque titanium white. The thickest areas of white are where the light strikes the figure directly. Conversely, the shadows are painted with transparent white over the brown underdrawing producing, bluish shadows. Varying the thickness of the white paint creates the form of the head as the light strikes it. The hair and the clothing are also painted in a similar way with emphasis on texture and light fall.
Glazing
​When the underpainting is complete, transparent color is applied in thin layers first in the shadowed areas and then gradually to the lightest areas. Several layers of transparent color are applied to suggest the transparent nature of skin. If the shadows become too brown, then a thin layer of zinc white is re-applied, creating a bluish-area which is re-glazed when dry. In cases where the underpainting is not strong enough, the entire head will have to be repainted in white or "highed-up," and later re-glazed. A neutral background is laid in loosely, revealing the brownish-orange underpainting in places, giving more depth to the picture. The background is also glazed to strengthen the shadows, bring out the figure and soften contours.
This technique is not a forgiving one. It entails making a long series of correct decisions. Making corrections after glazing is difficult indeed. Considerable patience is required to work with layers that must completely dry before continuing. It is therefore understandable why few artists employ this exacting and time-consuming method.
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PRICES
​The price includes all the high quality materials for the artwork but not the frame or shipping .
For oil Paintings the price is £7 per square inch.
For pencil Drawings the price is £4 per square inch.
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Example
​Size A3 ( 11.7" x 16.5" ) Oil Painting on Canvas 11.7 x 16.5 x 7 = £1.351.35
Pencil Drawing on Fabriano Paper 11.7 x 16.5 x 4 = £ 772.20
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The above calculation is just a guide as I do work in any size canvas or treated boards and have worked on large murals.
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REPRODUCTION PRICES
Please contact me for more information regarding Classic Reproductions
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ANIMATION and ILLUSTRATIONS PRICES
Please contact me for more information regarding Animation projects and digital illustrations.
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SHIPPING -Size Dependant
​UK Tracked shipping using Parcelforce 24hr or Royal Mail Next Day Special Delivery from GB £ 35.00
DHL for shipping to Europe and the Rest of the World from GB £ 100.00
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