A Portrait Commission

 

"Untitled - Portrait Commission, May 2016"

18 x 24 inches, oil on canvas

It's cool how one thing leads to another, isn't it? The woman who commissioned this painting saw my portrait of a friend of hers, and decided I'd be just the artist to update a very sweet wedding-night portrait of her and her husband of 38 years! 

I really enjoyed spending time with these two, in their sunny living room surrounded by enormous house plants and blooming orchids. We had three in-person sittings, and then I completed the painting from photo reference.

I started getting to know them with a quick sketch:

Once I feel that a portrait is finished, I send an image to my clients for approval and suggestions. Here is my preliminary finish, on the left, and the final painting, including their suggested changes - which were all just right. Can you spot any of them?

 

 Framed and ready to deliver:

Do you have a portrait project you'd like to discuss? I'd love to hear from you!

"The Green Earring" oil painting portrait from life

 

8 x 10"

oil on canvas

$200

click to buy

This one was going well, then it wasn't. So I scraped off half the face and repainted, and it was a lot better. There's a lesson there, a good one to constantly be relearning.

 Have you ever wanted to see what an artist would make of your beautiful face? If you live nearby, give me a shout. You could come over, sit for me, we could chat....you know, no biggie! (No obligation to buy, and no compensation either, though I've been known to bribe with wine.)

"Suzanne's Daisies" A top-secret Christmas commission!

16 x 20"

oil on canvas

Sold

Merry Christmas! I am blogging to you from the warmth and sunshine of my in-laws' place in Florida. Our orgy of giving is complete, and since a certain lucky friend of mine also received her gifts today, I can now share this painting with you. Back in July, when these daisies were blooming in their garden, her husband commissioned this piece - and then, somehow, he had the willpower to wait five months before giving it to her! Now, they will have daisies all year long, and you can, too, since my preparatory sketch is up for auction:

"(sketch for) Suzanne's Daisies"

5 x 7"

oil on canvas

Sold

I'm already excited for all that's to come in 2013 - but hey, it's still Christmas Day, so, from my family to yours - Happy Holidays! 

"Sketch for 'Layla'" portrait painting oil on canvas young woman girl

 

8 x 10"

oil on canvas

Sold

Here is the preparatory sketch I did for a portrait commission I just (as in 15 minutes ago) finished. My biggest challenge was keeping the loose, painterly feel of the sketch alive in the larger (14x18, still not large by any means) final piece. I think it came out nicely. Fingers crossed until I hear from the client!

I'll be heading to figure painting tonight for another crack at this compelling pose. It should feel like stretching a tight muscle, going from a computer screen (from which I worked all afternoon) to a live model. You can follow along on twitter, or facebook.

"Green Apple Stack" framed fine art still life food fruit kitchen decor commission custom painting

  

8 x 10"

oil on canvas

framed $200

available in my Etsy shop 

I'm starting a commission today, a portrait of a lovely young woman. I moved my desktop computer into the studio so I can work from a digital photograph. Upheaval! So, for today's post I've pulled a painting from the vault, a personal favorite. I like it so much, I'm "storing" it in on the wall of my upstairs hallway. It would really make more sense in the kitchen/dining area, but that space is already taken.

Are you thinking of commissioning a painting for a holiday gift? Whether it's from me (why yes, I'd love to), or another artist, now is the time to get started!

"Jessie" custom portrait painting oil sketch

 

16 x 20"

oil on canvas

email inquiries welcome

I unearthed this piece while searching for something else last week. I had sort of forgotten about it - it's more or less unfinished, but I like it. I like the model, too - my little sister!

I painted this from life, but if you have a sister - or any old special someone - you'd like to immortalize in paint, I'm open to working from your photos. Email me if you'd like to discuss a commission.