The Portrait Process: Working with Mr. Bastos

 

1. Initial Consultation and Style Review

The process begins with the client reviewing a gallery of Mr. Bastos’ past work to understand his artistic style and media range. Together, the artist and client discuss the vision for the portrait. This includes selecting clothing and background, which directly influences whether the final artwork feels formal or informal.

 

2. Photography and Composition Planning

Mr. Bastos takes multiple photographs of the subject in various poses to find the most flattering angle. After consulting with the client to finalize the composition, these photos serve strictly as a reference guide. The actual painting process relies on the pictures, and live sittings to accurately capture facial expressions, skin tones, and physical perspective. Sometimes Mr. Bastos will borrow the garment that the sitter is using to study the real fabric from life. Mr. Bastos prioritizes getting to know his subjects, encouraging comfortable conversation and relaxation during the process to achieve the truest likeness.

 

3. Preparation and Sitting Requirements

Every standard portrait session requires an initial photography consultation. The artist is ready for the first sitting once the portrait is 80% finished. Following that, the timeline and sitting requirements vary by medium:

• Pencil Drawings: Requires two live sittings after the initial photographs are taken. Sometimes only photos are needed.
• Charcoal and Pastel: Requires three weeks of studio preparation to establish the artwork's overall tone, followed by two to three live sittings. 
• Oil Paintings: Requires at least one month of studio preparation after choosing the reference photo, followed by two to three live sittings for a standard, single-person composition.

 

4. Sitting Logistics

• Standard Sessions: Each sitting lasts two hours, includes frequent short breaks, and is scheduled during daylight hours to utilize natural light. The artist encourages a conversation with the sitter to make the experience relaxing, and that way, Mr. Bastos gets to know better the sitter.
• Scheduling for Younger Subjects: Recognizing that younger sitters may require more flexibility, sessions can be adjusted to include shorter intervals and additional breaks to ensure a comfortable experience for the subject.

 

 

Note: Portraits featuring complex backgrounds, intricate clothing, multiple subjects, larger scales, or those done entirely without photographic references will require additional sittings.