ileen

.
A question for the experienced Paris travelers:
Would anyone suggest an area where I can see/meet some artists who set up their belongings on the street side and sell little paintings and do portraits.

I remember seeing them many years ago at some tourist stops. Would like to find some that would make me a portrait of my grandkid by looking at a photograph.

Also, can someone give me a rough idea as to what they usually charge for portraits, so I have some clue.

Years ago, I had bought some tiny watercolor pictures made by such artists and they are still a
treasure.

Any advice will be helpful. Thanks for your time and effort, have a great day.

PalenQ

Montmatre in the main square (Place du Terte) near the Sacre Coeur is infested always with scores of street artists - so that is one place to surely encounter them.

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel...ists-BR-1.html

Christina

I also think Montmartre is the main place street artists do this thing. There may be a few around the main island here and there, but I can't think of a regular place there you'd see one (who was good, especially). Some just draw chalk stuff on the street or sidewalk and beg for money. I don't know why they do that, why would anyone want to pay money for something drawn on the pavement.

I'd just walk around and look at their stuff to make sure you like their work. I think they charge about 50-75 euro but am not sure as I've never bought one.

ileen

PalenQ-Thanks for your reply, esp. the link which shows that these artists are a bothersome bunch.
I do not remember them to be that sort. But I was in Paris so many years ago and I guess things have changed.
After reading the problems they can cause, I may give up my idea totally.

Christina--Thanks for your reply also. Good to know the approximate price range too.

adrienne

The people who were approached in the article that Pal references were too polite. I don't even acknowledge that these "artists" exist; I do not say a word to them nor do I make eye contact. They will try to block your path but just walk around them as if they were mail boxes or invisible. They will quickly go on to the next person.

The artists around the Place du Tertre square do not act like this. They're busy sketching people or working on oil paintings. You approach them.

nytraveler

Place du Tertre is definitely the place to go. We have bought several pretty watercolors there for the spare bedroom. But I think you may not understand the speed of these portraits - they are done on the spot in a very short period of time - not something worked on for days and picked up later.