MARTA MENDEZ

PROCESS

From a photograph to a painting hanging on your wall. Every commission goes through these six steps, and we decide together at each one: the subject, the size, and how far to push the brushwork.

06 steps · about a month

  1. The photograph

    It all starts with an image.

    A photo of you, of your pet, or of the place you want to remember. It does not need to be perfect: it lets me read the light, the gesture and the colour. If you have several, better still — the right one usually turns up among them.

  2. The subject

    We decide what the painting should say.

    We talk about what goes into the painting and what stays out: the framing, the background, whether a portrait is half-length or only the eyes. This is the conversation that shapes the final result most.

  3. The size

    The format depends on where it will hang.

    We choose the measurements and the proportions with the wall in mind. The same subject is not painted the same way in a small, close format as in a large, open one.

  4. The approach

    From realism to a looser gesture.

    Here we decide the character of the painting: a realistic, detailed treatment, a looser version with visible brushwork, or an open turn towards colour and abstraction. The palette follows what you are after.

  5. The painting

    Painted by hand, in oils, in layers.

    The work builds up in layers and needs its drying time. I show you the progress as it goes, so you can watch it grow and comment on any detail before we call it finished.

  6. Shipping

    Packed by hand and sent to your door.

    Once dry, the work is prepared and carefully packed for transport. Shipping is handled by Correos, the Spanish postal service, throughout Spain, with the cost agreed before the commission is confirmed.

How long does it take?

The usual turnaround is about a month from the moment we confirm the commission. It is a guide: it depends on the size, the technique and the commissions already under way. If there is a delay, I will let you know.

Full terms

And the price?

It is agreed before we start, based on the size, the technique and the complexity of the work. No surprises: you will know the price and the shipping cost before confirming anything.

Do you already have a photograph in mind? Write to me and we will start at step one.

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