Purpose of the portrait:

• a gift?

• a private, family portrait?

• a business portrait?

• an official portrait?

• a memorial portrait?

Desired mood:

• formal?

• informal?

• combination?

Style:

• Standing pose?

• Sitting?

• Active ("genre painting"- where subject is engrossed in a specific activity)?

Gaze:

• Direct?

• To the left, or right?

• Distant?

Background:

• interior?

• exterior?

• neutral (veiled and/or abstract)?

• muted, symbolic?

Composition:

Portraits have most often been relegated to a vertical rectangular format. But, whenever possible, contemporary artists try to integrate any and all compositional elements which make a strong statement.

An artist may require a less rigidly formatted dimension for his portrait of a subject. It may become square or a "more square" shape than the standard. Possibly, a thin narrow or wider configuration would better meet the needs of a specific portrait.

A contemporary portrait can be varied in its presentation and impact.

© Bernard Poulin- 1995-2007