Commissioning a Fine Art Portrait

Fine art portraiture is a unique and wonderful adventure; the creation of a portrait can only be described as a miracle.

A portrait commission is generally a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is a true investment and a celebration of life, achievement, and legacy. A portrait created today becomes a priceless heirloom to be passed on to future generations.

The Art of Portraiture

A masterfully created portrait is more than a likeness—it is a recreation of life on canvas. The essential qualities of a great portrait are vitality, character, and radiant inner beauty. A fine art portrait is infinitely more profound than a simple photograph; it captures not only the sitter's appearance but also their personality, presence, and spirit. There is a fundamental difference between Realism and Photorealism. Photorealism strives to reproduce a photograph, often at the expense of emotion and spirit. A true portrait is a collaboration between the sitter, the artist, and the timeless tradition of painting. Leonardo da Vinci believed that "where there is no spirit, there is no art." If the goal is simply to preserve an image at the lowest cost, enlarging a photograph may be the appropriate choice. A fine art portrait, however, offers something far greater—it preserves not only appearance, but also character, presence, and legacy..

The Portrait Commission Process

After an initial meeting with the client, Veronica Kvassetskaia develops a compositional concept and artistic vision, selecting the ideal setting, composition, and colour atmosphere for the portrait.

Once the concept is approved, the Artist begins creating the portrait using a museum-quality approach. Several sittings are scheduled during the painting process, normally lasting 3–4 hours each, either in the Artist's studio or at the client's location.

After the portrait is completed, the Artist may recommend a suitable frame style and advise on its placement within the client's home or office.

For international clients, the completed portrait is carefully shipped worldwide via FedEx. Every portrait created by Veronica Kvassetskaia is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity bearing a unique archival registration number

The Catalyst of Vitality^© Method

In 2018, Veronica Kvassetskaia developed the Catalyst of Vitality^© Method, a unique approach to fine art portraiture that establishes a symbolic connection between the sitter and the portrait through the inclusion of a small DNA sample— such as a strand of hair, nail powder, or ashes—within the artistic medium during the painting process.

The Catalyst of Vitality^© Method is protected by a Canadian copyright registration issued by the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), Registration No. 1152649, dated September 4, 2018, in the artistic category.

Today, Veronica offers the Catalyst of Vitality^© Method as an optional enhancement for clients who wish to create an even more personal and meaningful portrait.

Time and Technique

The creation of a portrait requires dedication and craftsmanship:

20+ hours for pastel, charcoal, or pencil portraits
80–400 hours for oil portraits, depending on size and complexity

Veronica works in a unique Old Masters' technique, creating works of exceptional museum quality with archival permanence.

Testimonials

"Veronica is indeed a wonderful artist. Her mastery of her craft, her artistic acumen, and her desire to portray the essence of her subjects are exceptional. My family and friends feel she has truly captured me in her wonderful portrait. I feel very honoured to have been her subject."

Claire Hopkinson
Director and CEO, Toronto Arts Council

"Veronica is an amazing and talented portrait artist. I was honoured to be her model. I thoroughly enjoyed being part of this exciting and very creative process."

"Her sensitivity to her subjects allows her to capture intimate moments of inspiration. Her stunning portrait reveals the intensity of that instant of creation."

Larysa Kuzmenko
Canadian Classical Composer

"Veronica is a phenomenal artist. She captures the spirit of creation in her artwork and gives birth to beautiful portraits of our time."

"It is a fantastic and timeless masterpiece. Thank you, I feel very honoured."

Galina Lukomsky
Canadian Soprano

"Veronica, you made me immortal. Thank you."

Tom Diamond
Artistic Director of Tapestry Opera, Toronto

Portrait Investment

Veronica creates all portraits in her Toronto art studio and ships worldwide using trusted international carriers, including DHL and FedEx. Shipping is available to most countries.

During the initial consultation, Veronica will discuss your portrait idea, artistic vision, details, and preferred timeframe. The process, including the photo session and other arrangements, will be discussed and agreed upon before proceeding. Once the details are finalized, the client signs the standard Portrait Agreement. All creative work begins after the paperwork has been completed and the 50% retainer deposit has been received. Payment can be arranged in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, euros, or BTC.

Secure Your Place on the Waiting List

You can secure your place on the portrait waiting list by paying a booking deposit.