Axel Saffran
Commissions
Do you want a unique and intensely personal gift for someone special, or do you wish to present a jubilee with a highly original piece of art in the form of a hand drawn portrait?
Do you want your children, or your family portrayed with the directness and intimacy inherent in a well drawn portrait?
You are welcome to commission a hand drawn portrait from Axel ... a charcoal portrait, a drawing in silverpoint, a portrait in graphite, a sensitive portrayal of your loved one(s) in pastel pencil, or a bold and colourful portrait executed in soft pastels.
There is no real limit to your choice of a subject.
However, my specialisation in drawing people suggests that you commission me to draw a portrait of the human(s) of your choice.
By choosing to have a hand drawn portrait custom made for you, you invite both an original, intuitively direct rendition on a somewhat sensitive ground: paper.
I prefer my drawings not be put behind glass, but instead be allowed to share their vulnerable nature with the beings surrounding them.
My charcoal drawings, graphite drawings and silverpoint drawings are largely smudge proof. Artworks in pastel pencil are a little more sensitive to surface contact, and soft pastels are outright vulnerable.
Their vulnerability is part of their charm. They are pure expression, laid bare and are showing themselves according to their true nature.
Some style suggestions
To get an idea of what is possible when you commission Axel to draw a portrait for you, here are some example portraits in various media and styles.
Pastel pencil on Strathmore cotton paper
Size up to 45 x 30 cm Colour
from 400 euro
Zilverstift (met hooglichten in acrylverf) op gessopaneel
Size limited only by shipping considerations
from 400 euro
Charcoal and pastel highlights
on Hahnemühle Ingres paper
Size up to 63 x 48 cm (25"x 19")
300 - 700 euro
Pastel pencil on Strathmore paper
Size up to 45 x 30 cm Monochrome
300 - 500 euro
Soft pastels on Canson Mi Teintes paper
Size up to 65 x 50 cm
500 - 800 euro
Graphite on Strathmore hot press (smooth) papier
Size up to 42 x 35 cm
300 tot 600 euro.
A commission, how does it work?
01 IMAGES
To make a portrait, I need the following:
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1 exceptionally well lit photograph that can serve as the 'sitter'.
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3+ shots from several sides, to get an idea of the person to be portrayed.
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if possible some footage, showing the subject engaged in activity. (speaking, singing etc.)
02 WISHES
Tell me:
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Do you want a portrait in charcoal, graphite, silverpoint or in pastel pencil / soft pastel?
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How large? Paper sizes usually determine maximum size, but if you choose to commission a charcoal portrait on canvas, or a drawing on a wooden panel, oversized artworks are possible.
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Do you want a certain background: a setting or environment? Or an abstract background – smooth or more dynamic – befitting the person portrayed or the occasion? You can also choose to leave it up to me...
TIP: If you already have a certain spot in mind for the portrait, please consider this when answering above questions.
03 FINANCES
First-Rate Materials
In order to avoid any misunderstanding, everything we agree upon will be put into a standard contract previous to the making of the commissioned portrait. As soon as the downpayment (50% of the total fee) is transferred, I will start the creative process.
During this fase, which lasts two to six weeks (depending on overlapping commitments I may have), we keep in touch and discuss things as they present themselves. At appropriate times I will share glimpses of the creative process. When you are satisfied with the result, you transfer the remaining part of the fee.
Subsequently, I will ship the carefully packaged portrait to you.