Procedure & Fees

Prices for oil portraits begin at $5,000 for a 24” x 20,” or 30” x 24” head and shoulders painting. Prices increase based on how much of the figure is included, how many figures will be in the painting, and how detailed the clothing and background needs to be. Thus, a full-length figure on a 60” x 40” canvas with detailed clothing, such as military medals, and an elaborate background can cost more than $20,000.

Travel, lodging, framing and shipping expenses are in addition to the price of the painting. Multiple figures on the same canvas are priced as follows: first figure at full price, each additional figure at 1/3 less full price. Pets are an additional $1,000.00 to the total cost of the portrait. Payment is 40% at the time of commission and the balance at acceptance of the completed portrait. Sales tax will be added to the total.

Vignette sketches measuring 9” x 6” – 10” x 8″ are $1,500. This price does include an archival mat and frame.

Betsy Ashton will travel to the client’s location to obtain information needed to complete a commissioned portrait. Normal time would include one to two days at the client’s location. During her visit, the artist will spend time getting to know the subject, discussing the details of the portrait, including pose, clothing, setting, and will complete a digital shoot – taking approximately one to two hours, after which the artist and client will review the photos on a laptop computer. Together they will make final selections the artist will use as a reference to create the portrait in her studio.

During this initial visit, the artist may also complete a head sketch from life. Approximately two hours is needed to complete the sketch and can be done from any location. This adds an additional resource the artist finds valuable when planning the final portrait. Back at the artist’s studio, a small sketch of the painting, including pose, composition, color scheme, etc. will also be completed and sent to the client for approval. These are not for likeness, but serve to illustrate the general approach to the finished portrait. Once the sketch is approved, the artist begins work on the final painting. During the process of creating the portrait, the artist may request an additional sitting to be conducted either in the artist’s Long Island City studio or at the client’s location. A final sitting is suggested to complete the portrait. In some cases, photographs or digital images of the finished portrait can be sent to the client for approval upon completion.