 
Process
Once you have placed your order, you will be emailed four times at various stages of your artwork's completion to ensure that you remain satisfied with your piece. For science fiction and fantasy art, only the first stage varies from that of portraiture. Please feel free to contact me using the information provided on the Order/Contact page with any questions or concerns regarding my creative process.
original photo by Seung Lee
If you are commissioning a portrait, once I have viewed your imagery and we have discussed details like background and number of subjects, I will email you with a digital mock-up giving an idea of what your finished piece will look like. The mock-up will show composition, background detail and/or color(s), and will show multiple subjects combined in one image if you have requested it.
For science fiction and fantasy work, once you have provided me with a general theme, subject matter, and color palette, I will email you with a series of thumbnail sketches, concept art, and a finished thumbnail including a basic color scheme. If you have any imagery that you would like me to use for reference, it will be reflected in your finished thumbnail.
Once you have approved the mock-up or concept art, I will create a line drawing at full size and email you an image of it for approval. This stage finalizes the composition and layout of the piece. Once you have approved the line drawing, I will begin adding tone or color according to the approved concept/mock-up.
When the piece is partially completed, I will email you with an additional image. This stage provides a heads-up on the progress I am making as well as allowing you to make sure everything is going in the direction you desire. While concerns regarding layout and composition must be addressed at the line drawing stage, this stage is a good time to discuss any minor changes you would like to make regarding color. I can typically accommodate most color changes as long as they aren't too drastic and don't counteract with the colors I have already laid down. Any drastic color change requests must be handled in the mock-up/concept stage. Please keep in mind that colors seen on your computer screen may vary from those on the actual piece.
Once you have contacted me approving the piece in a partially complete state, I will finish the work and email you a final image of the piece in completion. Some minor changes can still be made at this stage. Once you have informed me that you are completely satisfied with your work of art and have finished payment (see the FAQ page for more details) I will ship your order to you via USPS insured Priority Mail. (Please refer to the FAQ page for questions regarding shipping.) If you live in certain areas of Connecticut, I can also hand deliver your piece to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the first thing I need to do when ordering a portrait? A: Please contact me at my email (see below) with the specifications of your portrait (size, color, number of subjects) and attach any image(s) you wish to use. I create portraits based on supplied imagery, so the quality of your finished piece depends heavily on the photos you provide. Choose photos with good lighting and crisp, well-defined subject matter. Avoid photos that are blurry, poorly lit, or with subjects in the distance. Make sure the photos you provide are large enough to contain sufficient detail. Once I have taken a look at your imagery we will discuss the commission in further detail. Please refer to the price chart on the Order/Contact page for more details. Q: What is the first thing I need to do when ordering a science fiction or fantasy piece? A: Please contact me at my email (see below) with a detailed explanation of what you would like to have created including a basic color scheme, subject matter, and composition. If there are any reference images you would like to include, please attach them to your email. I will then be in contact with you about the specifics, and will begin drawing up some thumbnails and concept art. While the prices for this type of work are similar to that in the portraiture price chart on the Order/Contact page, they do vary based on the amount of work necessary. Because I do not heavily make use of photos, this kind of art generally takes more time and effort on my part to create concept and preliminary artwork. Once I have a good idea of the requirements of your commission, I will provide you with a price quote. Q: Why do you create portraits from photos rather than from life? A: Drawing from photography eliminates many challenges that would inevitably crop up when working from life. Pets and young children, for example, have a very hard time sitting still for the amount of time needed to create a piece. Additionally, many people are either too busy or live too far away to schedule a sitting or series of sittings. Perhaps most importantly, however, passed events and subjects that people wish to record in portraiture, such as a wedding or a pet that has since passed away, require the use of photos since a sitting would be impossible. Q: How long does it take to complete my order? A: The exact time I will need to create a piece of art varies depending on the complexity of the piece as well as my backlog. Typically, however, smaller works of art take between one and two weeks, and larger ones can take upwards of a month or more, depending on how quickly you approve the art at various stages of completion (please see my Process page for more details). When I receive your order and photos, I will provide you with a more exact timeline. Q: How long will it take for me to receive my order once it has shipped? A: All orders originate from Connecticut and so shipping times vary depending on how far away your zip code is from Connecticut. All orders ship USPS Priority Mail, which delivers within two days in most cases. Once your order is completed, I will provide you with a time in transit estimate. If you live within certain parts of Connecticut, I can also hand deliver your piece to you. Q: How much will it cost to ship my package? A: All orders will be shipped using the least expensive Priority Mail packaging while at the same time maintaining the highest possible safety to the package contents. Generally, smaller pieces will be shipped in a box or envelope with cardboard backing, and larger pieces will be shipped via mail tube. All shipments are fully insured against loss or damage. The price will usually not exceed fifteen dollars and is often much less. When you have submitted your order, I will provide you with a shipping cost estimate. Q: How do you handle payment? A: Payment is handled on a deposit basis, with half of the total cost (artwork + shipping) paid when you submit your order, and the other half paid once you approve an image of the completed artwork sent via email (please go to my Process page for more details). Once I have received the total payment, the order is considered complete and your package will ship. Please send payment via check or money order to the address I will provide once you place your order. Q: What kind of materials do you use? A: I use Prismacolor pencil on Canson paper for color works, and graphite on either Canson or Stonehenge paper for black and white works. Please specify the type of paper you'd prefer. If you'd like an option not listed here we can discuss that as well. The cost of materials is included in your total price. Q: Will you mat or frame my piece? A: While I do not mat or frame artwork at this time, I can provide you with suggestions on what colors and styles will enhance your piece to the best of its potential. Contact Information
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to call or email me. I am always willing and eager to address any question or concern you may have about my work and the process of ordering. I pride myself in the finest quality work and service, and will do everything I can to make your experience the best it can possibly be.
Phone: (203) 632-9465
Email: orders@melissagabso.com Price Chart: Prismacolor Pencil on Canson Smooth Texture Paper
Contact Information
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to call or email me. I am always willing and eager to address any question or concern you may have about my work and the process of ordering. I pride myself in the finest quality work and service, and will do everything I can to make your experience the best it can possibly be.
Phone: (203) 632-9465
Email: orders@melissagabso.com Biography
Creative expression has long been an integral part of my life. I find that virtually everything I do is tied in some fashion either consciously or subconsciously to color and composition, from choosing an outfit for a formal occasion to making scrambled eggs in the morning. During my childhood and adolescence, this pull toward color, composition, and attention to detail provided me with a potential for professional artistic growth. Over time I became enamored with rendering subjects from life, as well as with bringing to life subjects originating entirely from my imagination. I began to greatly value the talent of realist and comic artists.
I attended high school at Northwestern Regional in Winsted, Connecticut, and developed my first professional portfolio while enrolled in an honors art class there. I credit this portfolio along with the academic coaching of Regional's staff with granting me access to the University of Connecticut's School of Fine Arts program, a collegiate experience I would never have had without passing the initial portfolio review.
I studied illustration at UConn for four years, learning many invaluable skills from the School of Fine Arts' dedicated professors, and graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of fine arts degree in May of 2007. I then became employed in graphic design while at the same time building my post-baccalaureate portfolio. After obtaining a finalist position in Lord and Taylor's 2008 Rose Contest, and at the urging of family and friends, I began to consider creating artwork for showing and commission. Ultimately, my love of drawing made the decision for me. I decided to use my skill to provide people with works of art that they would cherish for a lifetime.
It is a wonderful feeling to create a work of art and enjoy the process of doing so along the way. In sharing my work I hope that it will bring joy to your life too.
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Custom Portraiture and Illustration by Commission
