Portraits
I start a portrait by talking or e-mailing the client. We talk about who the portrait is of, size of artwork, personality and likes of person, color schemes, etc.
I collect as many photos as possible of that person and go through with the client and pick some of the better shots and/or take my own shots of the person
Another option is to include "A slice of life" type of shot when possible since a portrait is not just the face but what that
person does in life also. (Playing tennis, talking to friends, with a favorite pet, etc.) I found that this can make for a more interesting painting also.
(BELOW)
Carena, Haley & Alana
This is based on several photographs. The garden was added later as a background.
3' x 3' acrylic on canvas
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Carena, Haley & Alana
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Chris & his Dad
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(Day 1) Blocking the basic shapes and composition
(Day 2) Starting to make progress
(Day 3) Starting to put in faces
(Day 5) I'm experimenting with having the middle child looking strait at the viewer.
I also straightened out the tables and made them larger.....
(Day 6) I added more flowers, a decorative bench, statue + misc.
Complete...
(Day 7) Redid faces of center & right face (Haley & Alana) more color, shadows
and details. It is now ready to roll and ship.
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Some of the shots I based this painting on:
The rest of the paintings elements, garden, angel statue, etc. were added as the painting slowly develops.
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Chris and his Dad
This is based on eight photos. A montage was created with a Chicago skyline background.
From photo to painting
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Portrait used for business:
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