Portraits and landscapes show

portraits and landscapes Ben lustenhouwer framing my paintings

Once back, safe and sound from my portrait painting workshops in France, I started the preparations for my show “portraits and landscapes” here in the village, in August. The titel will be: “Portraits of Chelva”. Landscapes and Plain-air paintings of the Chelva surroundings. Also a number of portraits of local people, from our weekly live-model sessions in my studio. I brought some 40 paintings to the frame maker. Continue reading “Portraits and landscapes show”

Me as a portrait painter?

Me as a portrait painter?

Of course, like every child, I was asked sometimes “what do you want to be when you grow up”? Did I ask myself the question: Me as a portrait painter?

But what is a portrait painter? the English Dictionary says: an artist who paints portraits


Drawing as a little child?

Sometimes I visit websites from other portrait artists and read the information they give about themselves. Often like: “I was already drawing as a little child, or I was born with brushes in my hand”. That annoys me and I do not know exactly why. Is it that difficult to write something more original?

Continue reading “Me as a portrait painter?”

Portrait painting from observation

Despite of the fact that I often do portrait painting from photography, I really must emphasize again, that portrait painting from observation is important. Study as much as you can from a life model sitting in front of you.

Training your drawing skills is fundamental. Accompanying a study I made last Tuesday night. I used Terra Rosa (Winsor & Newton) mixed with a little bit of Burnt Umber (Rembrandt Talens.)

Continue reading “Portrait painting from observation”

Oil painting technique.

oil painting technique
Oil painting technique. Acueducto romano . Chelva, Spain.
Acueducto romano. Chelva, Spain.

This post is about brushes for oil painting technique. As you may have noticed, recently I was able to dedicate more attention to landscape painting. It took a long time; I was too busy with my portrait commissions. The surroundings of the town of Chelva, where we live, are beautiful and very picturesque. There are countless places asking to be painted. And that is what I do.  Continue reading “Oil painting technique.”

Portrait painting and inspiration.

portrait painting inspiration

Sometimes I wonder why I want to paint a good portrait. Where does that fervour come from? What about my  portrait painting and inspiration. I’ve never been able to answer that question. And it should stay like that, I guess. That everlasting urge, that gruelling passion; I have learned to live with it. It was not always an easy road. More than once, I was jealous of people without any ambition. Continue reading “Portrait painting and inspiration.”