Procedure

Markissia believes in a true collaboration between client and artist. She meets with the client to discuss size, subject, spirit of the portrait and, whether it will be an inside setting or out of doors. Clothing, background and all details are finalized. If it is decided that the portrait will be painted primarily from photographs, a photo session is then scheduled. When it is completed, Markissia meets with the client to discuss which expressions and poses are most successful for the portrait. The portrait is then painted in the studio with an optional final sitting at the end for finishing touches.

In the case of posthumous portraits or for clients who prefer not to meet with the artist and would prefer to have the portrait painted entirely from their own photographs she usually requires several photos of the subject to get a sense of the likeness and personality of the person.

If the portrait will be executed entirely from life in the studio or in plein- air, a time is reserved for the first sitting. A series of one to three sittings of 2-3 hours each is normal depending on the size and complexity of the portrait. Some photos are taken for finishing details on clothing and background. All oil portraits are executed on the finest Belgian linen canvas. Pastel portraits are painted on museum quality archival pastel papers.

The procedure for painting miniature portraits is usually from photos exclusively due to the need of the artist to work under magnification for many hours. The average size of the miniature portrait is about 2 x 2.5 inches. They are usually painted on an ivory-like surface called ivorine. The pastel miniatures are painted on a museum quality pastel surface.

Markissia is a member of The Portrait Society of America, The Oil Painters of America, The Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers of London, England, The Hilliard Society of England, The Miniature Artists of America,The Miniature Art Society of Florida, and the Pastel Society of Tampabay.

Please contact Markissia for current fees or information on art classes and workshops.