A private commissioned portrait is a portrait of an adult done for the benefit of a family rather than a business or institution.

In the history of portraiture these are the ones that end up being most loved by viewers. The purpose of these paintings is to show the sitter in their best light. A good portrait will not only be a good likeness but express the personality of the subject as well.

With these portraits I take special considerations to work with the sitters in order to best portray them. It is important that I make a portrait that the sitter is satisfied with. It can be intimidating for an adult to have a portrait done and I will work with them to make the experience as enjoyable as the finished painting.

In the end a portrait of a family member is done for the enjoyment and benefit of the family and the generations to come. In time the portrait will become how the family remembers the sitter. Museums around the world are filled with portraits that started out this way. Ultimately a very good portrait must be able to be enjoyed by viewers who do not know the sitters at all.