How to commission a sculpture

If you are thinking about having a portrait made, I am here with a basic step-by-step guide to help you understand the process of privately commissioning a portrait sculpture.

This guide does not cover commissions of larger sculptures or public commissions as they involve more extensive planning and usually also architects, landscaping and other subcontractors. For these commissions, please get in touch directly from the contact page.

Get started by briefly mentioning:

  1. Name of the person to be portrayed.
  2. If the person will be able to sit (model) for the portrait.
  3. Important dates to be taken into consideration.
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Maudie Brady sculpting the portrait of actor Geoffrey Rush in his home.

The five basic steps when commissioning a portrait sculpture

Step 1. Initial conversation and agreement

A commission usually begins with a conversation around budget, hopes, and expectations for the portrait to establish a clear understanding of your vision. Following this, I draft a letter of agreement that outlines your expectations, including the sitter’s availability and the proposed completion date for the clay model. This step ensures that we are aligned as much as possible and sets a solid foundation for the project.

Step 2. Sculpting the clay model

The next step involves sculpting the clay model from life or reference material. I prefer to work directly with the live subject, which typically involves 3 to 4 sittings, each lasting around 2 to 3 hours. These sessions can take place at my studio in Florence or at the sitter’s home, whichever is most convenient.

If the sitter is unavailable or if the portrait is of a historical or deceased person, I can work from photographs and -if available – videos. It requires photographs/videos of the sitter from specific angles (profile/ front/ three quarter views) in order to assure a successful rendering. It’s important to note that working from reference material as opposed to working from life may take longer to achieve the desired accuracy and likeness.

This sculpting phase generally takes around 3 weeks, depending on the scale and complexity of the portrait.

Step 3. Creating a mould

Once the clay model is complete, I create a silicone mould from which a hard copy can be produced. If the final material is plaster or resin, this entire process is completed in my studio, including the creation of a base for the portrait. If it is bronze, the foundry will receive the mould and proceed with the wax and bronze casting production.

Step 4. Creating the portrait

The timeframe and cost of producing a portrait depends significantly on the material chosen. The options range from plaster and resin to bronze and marble. Each material offers different benefits and considerations, which we discuss during your consultation to determine the best fit for your needs.

Bronze casting

For bronze portraits, the process involves several additional steps and can take several months, depending on the foundry’s schedule. I project manage the entire process, which includes visiting the foundry to oversee the preparation of the wax, the bronze casting, assembly, patination, and mounting onto the selected base. This ensures that every detail meets my high standards of quality.

Marble carving

If marble is chosen as the final material, the clay portrait is digitally scanned. This scan is used to subcontract the milling out of the main form from a selected marble block. I then complete the finishing by hand in my studio. Creating a marble portrait can take anywhere between 4 to 8 months, depending on the scale and complexity of the piece, lead times for subcontractors etc.

Step 5. Delivery and installation

Throughout the process, I am available to advise, arrange, and oversee the delivery and installation of your sculpture. My aim is to ensure that your portrait is completed and installed in its intended location to your satisfaction.

FAQ – Commissioning a sculpture portrait

The cost of commissioning a portrait can vary widely depending on the factors mentioned above, including the size, material, complexity, and whether the work is done from life or photographs. Prices for a life-size portrait in traditional materials like bronze typically start at €4000, while less durable materials such as resin or plaster start at a lower price point. Additional considerations, such as travel requirements for live sittings or the need for high-quality reference materials, can also influence the final cost. For a detailed quote, please contact me directly.

The most common scale is the Life Size 1:1 scale. If the portrait is to be placed outdoors, for example, in a private garden, a slightly larger scale is often a better choice. For public spaces, the scale can be very large and is often decided by an architect or landscape designer. The sculpture of Mother Teresa is made at 1:1.25 size, which is 25% larger than life.

You should choose a material depending on the purpose of the portrait – the most basic being who it is for, and where will it be placed, when you need it and your budget. Traditional materials are bronze and marble, these are long-lasting materials and can be placed outdoors with certain finishes designed to protect them. They age with grace and bronze in particular is very durable. It is also possible to choose less expensive, but significantly less durable materials, such as resin or plaster, these materials will not survive in an outdoor climate and they tend to degrade over time rather than age with increased beauty.

Yes, of course. The more comprehensive the reference material is, the faster the process of making the sculpture becomes with a more accurate end result. The portrait of Ada Lovelace was made from very limited historical photos and various illustrative representations of dubious quality. Therefore I can decisively say that it is indeed possible, provided you have some graphical material of the person to be portrayed.

By law, the artist retains the copyright to the work, including the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, and display the artwork. This means the artist may use images of the work for portfolio or promotional purposes, and may also create additional copies such as an Artist’s Proof. However, commissioned portraits are, in most cases, unique and created as a single original, and such reproduction is not typically in my interest and is approached case by case. In the event that you wish the work to be fully exclusively yours you can request an exclusivity clause be added to the contract – but do expect the final fee to be a little bit higher.