The center of interest: interviewing the adult client
 

In addition to the things that Mary Reilly mentioned in the thread, "Breaking Down the Portrait Process" (http://forum.portraitartist.com/show...&threadid=1553) I now make a point of asking the client, very directly:

"What two things do you like best about your face? What two things do you like least?"

Not only do I find that it helps me see them the way they wish to be seen, but it seems to break down any discomfort that might exist in beginning the portrait painting process.

If I were painting a portrait for my own purposes, I can always decide what I think is most remarkable about a sitter. I have learned, though, that this is not always the sitter's viewpoint. Once I know my client's feelings, it really helps me crystallize what I want as the focal point of my painting, and therefore, how I select pose and lighting. Once decided, all the other painting elements are then set to come into play to support the focal point: placement on the canvas, value scheme, edges and color.

Chris--

Once again, the universe teaches us when we need it. I'm flying out Tuesday to start work on an important commission, and this will help a great deal. I'll use it, for sure.

Another I question I ask, to achieve the same centering on the purpose of the portrait, is to ask the subject: "What do you want the viewer to know about you when they look at this work?"

The subtext in this that I know we both wholly agree on is that a commission is a collaborative work, as contrasted with more personal paintings.

Best--TE

Eye contact
 

One important lesson I recently learned is that you MUST ask where the finished work is intented to hang. An adult woman, when walking into a room with her own portrait staring her in the face isn't exactly a comforting feeling. However that same portrait in the home of her children, grandchildren, or office, has a completely different feel.

What do men feel about having eye contact with their own portrait?

I find that kids don't mind it at all though.