It Begins with a Conversation
The portrait process begins with a personal consultation, usually held in the client’s home. Some clients arrive with a clear idea, while others have only a general vision that we develop together. This first meeting gives us time to get to know one another and discuss the subject, mood, placement, and overall direction of the painting. My goal is to make the process easy, collaborative, and enjoyable from beginning to end.
Capturing More Than a Pose
If a client does not already have a suitable photograph, a photography session often takes place during the consultation, either in the client’s home or in the setting being considered for the portrait. I want my subjects to feel relaxed so their personalities can emerge. I take as many photographs as necessary, watching for the expressions, gestures, and fleeting moments that best reveal who they are.
A formal portrait may call for a quiet, composed expression, while a more relaxed portrait may focus on the natural connection between siblings, a mother and child, or a teenager and a beloved animal companion. After the session, I may work from a single photograph or combine elements from several images to create the strongest design for the painting.
Creating the Portrait in Brown and White
Once I return to my studio, I review the photographs and select the images that best reflect the client’s vision. I then create a preliminary oil painting in brown and white on toned paper at the same size as the finished painting. This study provides a true sense of scale and composition.
We meet again so the client can view the preliminary painting. This stage is an opportunity to discuss the size, placement, and overall feel. If the study works, we move forward. If not, I can rework it or create a new one until it aligns with the client’s vision. The purpose of this stage is to make sure we are moving forward with a design the client truly loves.
From Study to Canvas
Once the preliminary portrait is approved, I begin the final painting on canvas.
As I do with the preliminary study, I begin with the brunaille technique, using earth tones such as burnt umber and white to establish the values and capture the likeness. I then add opaque passages and transparent color glazes, gradually building the portrait through layers of color.
As the layers develop, so do the subtleties: the warmth of the skin, the texture of fabric, the expression in the eyes, and the small distinctions that make each individual unmistakably themselves.
Depending on the portrait, I may arrange a mid-process viewing so the client can see the painting as it develops. This provides another opportunity for conversation and feedback before the final details are completed.
The Final Review
When the painting is finished, we meet again for a final review. Minor adjustments can usually be made with the client present to ensure that the portrait fully meets their expectations.
A commissioned portrait is created to live with a family for many years. It may one day remind grown children of who they were, preserve the bond with a beloved animal companion, or introduce future generations to someone they never had the chance to meet.
We are not simply putting paint on canvas. Together, we are creating an heirloom.