portrait commission Archives - Page 3 of 3

26 April 2015

Pick up your brushes

If you only stay in the abstract it never happens.

Recently, when I was in London, I bought the small book “How to be an artist” by Michael Atavar. A book that develops your creativity and helps you, stage by stage, grow your own creative potential. It’s witty, written with optimistic statements such as: Failure is the best thing that can happen to you. I know that you learn more from your losses than from your victories. I always tell that to my students.

One of the first phrases is a very important one: The only way to start is to start. I hear people say, “Actually, I would also like to paint.” Avatar: If you only stay in the abstract it never happens. It’s that simple. Pick up your brushes and go to work! The fear of beginning is bigger than the actuality of doing.

8 March 2015

Props in a portrait

As you already know, I work almost exclusively on commission. It sometimes happens that a client wants to see a detail added to the portrait. An object that the person is very attached to or something that refers to his or her profession. I am always careful about this and wary of it as I do not think it necessary. If I cannot dissuade the sitter, I make the object or detail as unobtrusive as possible. The girl in this portrait plays in a circus as a clown, in her spare time. I did not want to depict her completely dressed up. She only holds a red clown´s nose in her hand. It’s a reference to her hobby, but she herself is the protagonist.

16 November 2014

The final check

In my post two weeks ago I talked about portrait painting and the applause of uncles and aunts; the worthless fame. What you really need is a critical eye of someone who understands matters. Someone whose opinion you appreciate. Someone who does not give compliments just to please you. Formerly, before a painting left my studio, my daughter came to approve the product. And when she had critical points, she almost always was right. She is married now and lives in Madrid already for five years. This week she is staying with us. So I can call on her scrutiny. The family portrait, which I have shown you before, is in it´s final stage. Together we have gone over. Beside a few little things I got her approval and for her part the painting can be delivered. Of course I also sent an image to the client. They are very enthusiastic. (aside from some small comments). After these corrections the painting can be varnished and shipped.

21 September 2014

Good times in Holland

Delevering portrait commission — Delevering a portrait commission at Morren Galeries, Utrecht

Having delivered some portrait commissions at Morren Galleries in Utrecht we went to the isle of Texel in the North of the Netherlands. September is bird migration time and Texel is a good place to be. Some members of my family are trained birdwatchers. With them we walked and watched. For those who are interested, this is the list of birds we saw this morning at National park the Slufter: Grey Heron, Little Egret, Bean Goose, Greylag Goose, White-fronted Goose, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Common Eider, Common Shelduck, Hen Harrier, Roug-legged Buzzard, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Merlin, Common Pheasant, Great-ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Common Greenshank, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove, Wood Pigeon, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Meadow Pipet, Northern Wheatear, Robin, Common Stonechat, Blackbird, Wren, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Magpie, Eurasian Jay, Common Starling, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Jackdaw, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Yellowhammer, Egyptian Goose.

Although the real migration did not start yet this week we had a great time!

10 March 201330 August 2018

Contact with the model and photography.

“Painting a portrait is not just painting a picture, it is a celebration of the person.”

Long time ago I read this statement and I decided to make it my motto. When I started this blog I had in mind to explain what is involved in painting a portrait.Not only about painting techniques but also about inspiration and motivation, concentration and preparation. In another way: to explain my motto.

I am convinced that two thirds of making a portrait is in the preparation and only one third covers painting the portrait itself. Today I want to tell you about the most important part of the preparation:

The contact with the model and photography.

The last two weeks I was out on a number of portrait commissions. I went to visit people I have never met in my life met. People that expect from me to make them a nice portrait. To me that is a known and usual course of business. However for most people this is very special and they do this only once in their lives. Sometimes they are tense but always expectant. Most people are not accustomed to pose and some doubt whether they will do it right. It is my job to give the model confidence. Confidence in the good outcome, trust that he or she will be imaged favorably. People who are too modest, I might have to encourage, people with a big ego I try to temper. Noisy kids I try to calm and I try to provoke shy kids. But I need to have good eye for their unique caracter and I must not overpower this.

Photo sessions are so delicate that I always try to have an appointment the day before. A visit without cameras. In advance I will get an idea of the sitter. And what is more important, the model will get an impression of who I am. The sitter has to give me something that I can give back in the portrait. And that has everything to do with trust and harmony. I see it as my job to be a faithful reporter of these important characteristics.