Monday, February 21, 2011
Buying a special present for that special person can be a real problem. Perhaps you already have all the material things you both need. You may also want something really unique, which is a difficult proposition. Engraving and embroidery are very nice touches and will be greatly appreciated, but they can't add uniqueness to a present that is ultimately a standard catalog item.
If you really want someone to know that you've put a lot of time, effort and thought into pleasing them, there is no better way than to have an item made especially for them. There are a lot of alternatives available, from commissioning a piece of jewellery to a yacht or home. Another alternative would be a portrait. Portraits can capture the spirit of a person and their personality at a given point in their life and create a priceless heirloom for future generations. Again you may already have done this and many of your friends may also have portraits of themselves and relatives and ancestors hanging in their homes. How then can you attain something that captures someone's appearance and personality yet is completely unique and special? A fantasy portrait artist can make this happen.
We all have dreams. We might wonder what it would be like to live in a different historical era, or a fantasy world where we interact with mythical beings. We might ponder on what would happen had we met a famous historical personality or celebrity or even one of our own ancestors. Fantasy portraits can reassemble a family, bringing together the long dead and geographically dispersed. You can recreate someone's life through significant events that shaped them - they might for instance have fought at D-day, Khe Sanh or Fallujah. It can be good to incorporate your loved one's achievements. Your partner could have a pet, living or dead, that is very special to them. They could have hobby like motorcycles, koi carp or poker. There is literally no limit to what can be incorporated in a fantasy portrait.
You will want to surf the world-wide web to find an artist whose work you like and which you think will appeal to your loved one. A wide range of media can be used for your fantasy portrait, ranging from graphite, through colored pencils, to watercolors, acrylics and oils. Even digital art can be used and can accomplish amazing results not possible with other media. It is essential that you understand what your fantasy portrait artist needs from you and that you build a good relationship with them. A special relationship and bond can form that can last a lifetime and result in many more unique works of art and family heirlooms. Recipients in turn are often quite emotional as not only does such a gift prove you really care, but it can open up a window to their psyche in a way they have not before experienced.
Set aside an afternoon or evening to list the elements you want incorporated in the piece. A pen and paper can be really valuable in this process as you can write down or sketch your thoughts and change and add to them as they evolve. The portrait artist you have chosen will take you through the creative process one step at a time, using the notes you produce as a guide. Some artists will insist on sittings, but others can work from good quality photographs of which you should be prepared to supply a dozen or more. A good artist will involve you every step of the way, securing your approval to proceed with each stage once you are happy with progress thus far. Some media are much less forgiving than others should changes be required late in the portrait's creation. With others, changes are possible, but can add significant time and expense. A good relationship and effective communication will prevent this. You also need to allow enough time for the portrait to be created and shipped and give thought to how the final article will be framed and where the subject will wish to hang it in their home. Even a small fantasy portrait can be a wonderful addition to a home and could fill an empty spot on a wall very effectively.
I hope this has given you a lot to think about and has perhaps made it possible to find the special gift for the man or woman who has everything.
If you really want someone to know that you've put a lot of time, effort and thought into pleasing them, there is no better way than to have an item made especially for them. There are a lot of alternatives available, from commissioning a piece of jewellery to a yacht or home. Another alternative would be a portrait. Portraits can capture the spirit of a person and their personality at a given point in their life and create a priceless heirloom for future generations. Again you may already have done this and many of your friends may also have portraits of themselves and relatives and ancestors hanging in their homes. How then can you attain something that captures someone's appearance and personality yet is completely unique and special? A fantasy portrait artist can make this happen.
We all have dreams. We might wonder what it would be like to live in a different historical era, or a fantasy world where we interact with mythical beings. We might ponder on what would happen had we met a famous historical personality or celebrity or even one of our own ancestors. Fantasy portraits can reassemble a family, bringing together the long dead and geographically dispersed. You can recreate someone's life through significant events that shaped them - they might for instance have fought at D-day, Khe Sanh or Fallujah. It can be good to incorporate your loved one's achievements. Your partner could have a pet, living or dead, that is very special to them. They could have hobby like motorcycles, koi carp or poker. There is literally no limit to what can be incorporated in a fantasy portrait.
You will want to surf the world-wide web to find an artist whose work you like and which you think will appeal to your loved one. A wide range of media can be used for your fantasy portrait, ranging from graphite, through colored pencils, to watercolors, acrylics and oils. Even digital art can be used and can accomplish amazing results not possible with other media. It is essential that you understand what your fantasy portrait artist needs from you and that you build a good relationship with them. A special relationship and bond can form that can last a lifetime and result in many more unique works of art and family heirlooms. Recipients in turn are often quite emotional as not only does such a gift prove you really care, but it can open up a window to their psyche in a way they have not before experienced.
Set aside an afternoon or evening to list the elements you want incorporated in the piece. A pen and paper can be really valuable in this process as you can write down or sketch your thoughts and change and add to them as they evolve. The portrait artist you have chosen will take you through the creative process one step at a time, using the notes you produce as a guide. Some artists will insist on sittings, but others can work from good quality photographs of which you should be prepared to supply a dozen or more. A good artist will involve you every step of the way, securing your approval to proceed with each stage once you are happy with progress thus far. Some media are much less forgiving than others should changes be required late in the portrait's creation. With others, changes are possible, but can add significant time and expense. A good relationship and effective communication will prevent this. You also need to allow enough time for the portrait to be created and shipped and give thought to how the final article will be framed and where the subject will wish to hang it in their home. Even a small fantasy portrait can be a wonderful addition to a home and could fill an empty spot on a wall very effectively.
I hope this has given you a lot to think about and has perhaps made it possible to find the special gift for the man or woman who has everything.
About the Author:
Johanna Pieterman is a talented fantasy portrait artist with an impressive portfolio of fantasy portraiture. Visit her fantasy portraits website to see how a fantasy portrait could make an ideal gift for your loved one.