In the style of Rembrandt - Girl in Red

This young girl dressed in red was cropped from photograph that included her mother. I suggest it is painted in the  the style of Rembrandt because of the lighting on the face and the hair disappearing into a dark ground.

oil painting
20" x  20" x 1 3/8"

Commission Portrait Process

The commission process is a leap of faith. To keep it down to earth, I like to have a written contract with the client that specifies expectations and quantifies changes. A 30% non refundable advance is required before I start work.  Portraits are $500 for one face and $1000 for two faces.

Here are some guidelines for working with me to achieve a commissioned portrait that you will love.

1.  Provide a photograph that is crisp,clear and has a strong light source.  A good photo for painting is not a snapshot.  Expert lighting will give the face dimension and add interest.

There are professional photographers available at places like Blink  that take 100 photos for a nominal fee:  $25 for 10 minutes + $10 a photo.

 2.  While some artists use a projector to transfer a photo to the canvas, I like to use a grid and hand draw the face. I find that a 2:1 ratio works well on my 20" x 20" canvases.  The finished painting is classically inspired but has a contemporary look because the square canvas is unexpected. Negative space frames the face so it commands attention.

3.  The third step in my process is a line drawing that maps the key elements of the face on the canvas as well as the position of the head. How the face is placed on the canvas will be discussed with you in advance.

Think of this as a cartoon. It should have the look of the subject, but it is not a fully realized drawing and will not convey the essence, or personality of the subject.

4. The grisaille is the where the rubber meets the road.  This is a tonal painting that sets the values of the face for the addition of color. I like to use burnt sienna because it is a flesh tone.  At this point the client should see the face of the subject in the painting.


I like to assess the results with the client at this stage by direct conversation. The number of changes will have been agreed in advance per the contract.

If after changes have been made, and the client is still not satisfied, the project will be terminated. The 30% fee is non -refundable.






5. Color is the final stage. 

A commissioned work is going to be hung in a room in your home. Where  the painting will be placed gives me information about the colors to use for the background and clothing.  These will be discussed at this stage and agreed upon.

Painting is sold.

Local Tourist in Kiva, Uzbekistan

The oil painting on the left shows the beauty of age. The woman has tied back her hair in a style typical of the Central Asia region.  Gold teeth are a sign of wealth in Uzbekistan.


Size: 20" x 20" x 1 3/8"

Namaskaram

           

                                                 

The photo of this boy was taken in Madurai, Tamil Nadu at the Meenakshi Temple. 

In the south of India holding the hands together in greeting is called namaskaram which is the same as namaste.   

Size: 20" x 20" x 1 3/8"

Girl from Kerala

This young girl was standing on the side of a canal in the backwaters of Kerala, India.  I was attracted to her impish face and kohl lined eyes. The kumkum mark on her forehead means she has been at a religious festival.

Her actual corsage was made from ribbons, but I changed it to orchids because so many are cultivated in Kerala.

Extreme monsoons and flooding are laying waste to this state and its people now, August, 2018.




oil on canvas
size - 20" x 20" x  1 3/8"

Julia Knitting in Puno, Peru

Julia knit sweaters for Hallet Handknits during the 1980's.  She is wearing the typical apron and bowler style hat used by the Quechua Indians of the altiplano. Note the circular knitting needles. This made the finished sweater seamless at the sides.

size - 20" x 20" x 5/8"

Pa O Woman Myanmar

This Pa O woman is a towel seller from Myanmar. She has a towel wrapped around her head and in her arms are more towels. The turban head dress is typical and often red.

The Pa O are the seventh largest ethnic minority in Burma and the second largest in the Shan State. They are believed to be of  Tibeto-Burman lineage, and share the language and culture of the Karen people.

Unlike the Rohingya, they are a recognized ethnic group in Burma and Buddhist. However, due to military conflicts and lack of economic opportunity, many Pa O have migrated to northern Thailand.

Sold

Avocado Seller Myanmar

This is an oil painting from a photo I took in Myanmar of a local woman selling avocados.  Note that the light yellow line on the nose and right side of the face is not a highlight, but thanaka cream that is used for sun protection and as make-up.

Locals rub the bark of a tree on round stones and add water to make this paste for use by men, women and children.

Sold

Burmese Man at Sunset

I love to try and capture people in photos and then make them into art, in this  case oil paint. This man was standing on a beach of the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar at sunset. He actually has on a t-shirt that says NASA. I did not paint the logo, but that t-shirt has definitely traveled!  


Size: 14" x 18" x  5/8"

 

Cuban Boy with SF 49rs Hat

I visited the Las Lajas center near Cienfuegos, Cuba in June 2016 and saw this  boy. I was touched by his "old soul" look. A member of our tour group had just given him an oversized SF 49rs hat. It sits heavily on his head. He is wearing a shirt that was made from a sack so the  brand new hat is in stark contrast. The background is a colonial blue door typical in Cuba.

 

Cuban Boy

Young Cuban boy standing in the doorway at the Casino de Cuba Santaria building. Note the faded colonial blue of the frame.

Santeria (Way of the Saints) is an Afro-Caribbean religion based on Yoruba beliefs and traditions, with some Roman Catholic elements added. The religion is also known as La Regla Lucumi and the Rule of Osha. 
Santeria is a syncretic religion that grew out of the slave trade in Cuba.