Introduction - About Artysta Fine Art

Artysta Fine Art started out of a return back to an original passion for traditional drawing and painting of the figure. It was created to offer lovers of original artworks a quality fine art alternative to the computerised photographic portraits being widely produced. Artysta initially wanted to bring high quality portraiture, traditionally the preserve of the rich and famous, within the reach of everyone. Over time it transpired that there was also a need for quality artwork in the TV/Film industry as props and within the corporate market in the form of murals, drawings, paintings and prints.

Artysta Fine Art was set up by Jason & Karen (Patton) Orr. Both graduated with a BA Honours Degree in Fine Art from Glasgow School of Art (Environmental Studies/ Drawing & Painting) and completed a Polish Government Postgraduate Scholarship in Fine Art at the Poznan State University of Fine Art, Poland. Karen later went on to graduate with a Master of Business Administration (MBA Distinction) from Glasgow Caledonian University.

As a talented painter, Karen has always taken on individually commissioned portraits for private collections. Other independent Artists have been involved in order to expand Artysta Fine Art and to allow them to generate an income from their skills. Jason has worked as an Art Director in TV & Film for the last 9 years and through this Artysta has successfully bid for and provided works for various Production companies and Designers in Scotland i.e. BBC Scotland, Endemol, The Comedy Unit, Lion Television & Young Pirate Films where a portrait featured in the award winning film ‘Festival.

Ordering Process

A 25% deposit secures the booking and initiates the work.

A firm delivery date will be established (normally 2-3 wks maximum although we also work to tight deadlines).

We shall email a photograph of the finished work for approval.

Once approved, full payment should be sent.

On receipt of payment we shall frame the work and hand deliver or dispatch the artwork by Courier dependant on the delivery address. Courier deliveries shall require a signature upon delivery.

If there are any issues we shall endeavor to rectify the problem quickly. In the unlikely event that this is not possible, Artysta Fine Art shall return the work and issue a refund.

Materials

Oils

Traditionally oil paint is made up from dry pigment mixed together with linseed oil as its medium. As the oil slowly dries to a hard film, the brightness and colour achieved by the painter can be enjoyed on drying. These colours can be enhanced and saturated with a wide range of ingredients such as varnishes and resins. Artist’s Colourmen extend commercially produced tube oils with additives and stabilisers to lengthen their longevity. Oil paint can range from opaque layers to rich translucent coloured glazes and are traditionally used on canvas, but can also be supported by wood, metal and plaster. To lengthen the life of your painting and protect the colours from the damaging effect of ultra-violet light in natural daylight, it is better not to hang your painting in direct sunlight.

Broad Drawing Media

Pastels are manufactured from a variety of dry pigments that are very lightly bound with water soluable medium and moulded into a stick. Traditionally the binding medium is gum tragacanth. A base is often incorporated; this can be barium oxide, calcite or silica. Pastels are softer and more friable than chalk or crayons. Pastels cannot be mixed on a palette like paint, but are mixed on paper by overlaying or blending.

Chalk can be natural, fabricated (natural product powdered and formed into a stick with binding medium) or synthetic (manufactured pigment formed into a stick with binding medium).

White chalk is usually calcite (calcium carbonate) and can be sawn easily into sticks.

Red Chalk naturally is obtained from a type of (hematite) clay mixture. It is soluable in water which lends to smudging. In the 18th century red chalks were manufactured and not so easily smudged as natural type, having a fine particle size and great chromatic strength. Synthetic (modern Conté) is made from precipitated red iron oxide with kaolin and quartz (and a small amount of binding medium) to give it hardness.

Black chalk (natural) used to be obtained from carbonatious shale or manganese ore. Fabricated black chalk was introduced in the 18th century.

The technique when black, red and white chalks are used together is generally known by the French phrase ñ trios crayons technique. However, when the English word crayon is used it indicates a substance manufactured from a variety of pigments bound with wax or oil. This drawing medium is used for drawing on paper and has other special uses such as for lithography.

Charcoal is wood or usually recommended is the vine of willow trees. The wooden sticks are tightly packed and burnt with air excluded. Compressed charcoal is a modern product made by pulverising the charcoal sticks and then re-forming them as a stick, incorporating a binding medium. The colour is blacker and more dense.

Pencils (modern) are a mixture of solid graphite (a form of natural carbon) and clay forced into a wooden sheath. Pencils were commonly referred to as being made from ‘lead’, but this was a misunderstanding of the material which led to this misconception. Today pencils can be coloured and even water soluable.

Giclée Prints

Portrait prints can be ordered from the original painting or drawing that you have commissioned. The prints are done using the Giclee printing technique, which results in the closest texture to the original artwork. Giclee Prints are the most professional type of print available.

Giclee Printing – What’s Involved?

Firstly we create a digital image of the artwork. The image will then be printed to whatever size you require.

Sizes start from A4 (297mm x 210mm) and can go up to 4ft x 6ft.

The choice to frame or not is your decision.

Pricing guide below:

A4 unframed £ 40 Framed £ 65
A3 unframed £ 55 Framed £ 85
A2 unframed £ 70 Framed £115
A1 unframed £ 90 Framed £155

To enquire about having your artwork reproduced as a Giclee Print please contact us for a quote.

Please view the Corporate page to view Scottish Golf Courses currently available to purchase as Giclee Prints.

Gift Certificates

An ideal present is an Artysta Fine Art gift certificate which can be made out to the value of your choice.

The gift certificate itself is printed on high quality parchment paper and comes in a sealed envelope hand tied with a ribbon.

Gift certificates are ideal if timing is an issue or you would prefer that the person for whom the gift is intended for choose their own subject matter i.e. a wedding gift; the couple may wish an informal portrait, or a formal portrait of their big day, or a work depicting the church or venue.

Framing

All Artysta Fine Art works come framed. The standard selection of frames are 20mm to 40mm and come in the following finishes:

• Light Oak
• Honey
• Walnut
• Mahogany
• Antique Gold
• Black
• Silver
• White

We are able to cater for more elaborate larger frames but this is subject to an additional cost. Contact us to discuss

Samples of framed portraits

Photography Tips

“Few persons who have ever sat for a portrait can have felt anything but inferior while the process is going on.”
Powell, Anthony

Thankfully there is no need for individual sittings. Artysta Fine Art can work from photographs. The options are that our Artysta photographer can direct you and take a photograph, or you can send the image of your choice via email to info@artystafineart.co.uk or as a print via traditional post.

Photograph Guide

You must ensure that the photograph is a true likeness and that eye, hair colour and skin tones are clearly defined. Our artist will match the photograph exactly so clarity is crucial. Artysta Fine Art can work from various photographs to create an optimum composition.

Lighting

Natural day light from one direction preferably from above and from the front left or right side achieves the best results.

The use of a flash can cause red eye and distort the colours.

Posing

Try to capture the poses and expressions which most represent the sitter.

Tips

Take photographs on the persons/pets level. This prevents unnatural distortion.

The best photographs are taken close up at a distance of one to two feet away (30-60 cm) and at a high resolution.

Please make sure that your photograph is in focus. We cannot use blurred images. Bare in mind that the final portrait will only be as good as the photograph provided.

If you are struggling to achieve good results maybe you could ask a professional or a keen photographer to help you. If you are in the Central belt of Scotland Artysta can arrange to travel and take the photograph for you.