A brother and sister for my next oil portrait painting. Hmm. How to portray them? Here’s the background story:

After discussing with me what she wanted, the mother showed me the clothes she had picked out for her hero and heroine. Dark blue and shinny bright pink. Terrific. Plus these colors would fit into the spot she had selected for the portrait to hang. Next, the photography for references.

As usual, we took many shots. With younger children, known generally for peeping “Are we done yet?”, we might consider only one or two poses before moving in for close-ups of the faces. However, with older children, we can usually shoot for the stars and try out several poses. Yes—brother and sister were a delight—interested and accommodating; Mother loved the development of seeing her children looking fantastic from 4 or 5 different vantage points. Even Grandmother had a lot to say. (As I implied, they are a close family.) The photos were all terrific. Good problem. We chose this pose because Mother, Grandmother and subjects all thought that it showed off their personalities—with attitude. They were each their own person, yet they had a family bond which was fine with them—they knew they could count on each other when needed.

Although the subjects are by far the most important element in an oil portrait painting, did you realize that the background is actually the largest part and always needs its own approach? I started inventorying the assets. You might have heard that I like to make the portrait seem comfortable in the surroundings that it will occupy. Colors that integrate are at the top of the list. The general character of the room that it will be in has a strong influence too, such as the style of the furniture and decorations. However, also very good, the client sometimes comes to me with a certain idea in mind that fits with the subject, like a beach scene, a woodsy background, a look from their back yard, or they might want an indoor painting that could have been done in their house with a few of their cherished, sentimental items. When I visited this family’s home one could not help but appreciate its aesthetics and comfort. It added to my creative ideas immediately as I envisioned the portrait. One of the things that I noticed was that the paintings hanging on the major walls—curiously—all had the same theme. Manicured gardens with paths leading to white-washed cottages. How about pulling in that theme to the portrait using my style of painting? I liked it. (I had once created a background to go with abstract art which was an interesting duo too. You can see this in my Children Oil Portraits gallery—#2) However, this notion wasn’t totally formed until I had the pose nailed down. Had we chosen a seated pose, for example, the background might have gone in a different direction. But with this pose, it would work. My client agreed.

At last, after the official “double, bubble, toil and trouble”, the painting was done. It was hung in its intended locale—the grand entrance foyer, on a wall above the stairs leading to the second floor. The framing chosen was 22k gold-leaf, museum-quality, hand-carved and hand-molded. You can see it in my frames gallery, #5, called “Baroque”. The client (in keeping with her fine aesthetic taste) also wanted a small fillet of black inserted on the inside edge. The frame definitely helped the painting capture the flavor of the curve of the staircase, the large crown molding, the high ceilings and the carefully chosen furniture.

Here’s what the mother said when she saw the final painting: “I love their eyes, their hands…. I love it all. I look into their eyes and I feel as if I can look right into their young hearts. The pose shows their cooperative spirit.
“When you realize it is an investment in art for future generations, you want the best. It is just magnificent.”

As I write this, school has restarted its evolution again and Labor Day is only a few days away. Any of you who have children that are at that perfect, beautiful age for remembering forever with an oil portrait should know that it is getting close to being the last chance to order such for Christmas—right now, or somewhat soon at least. Oil portraits are done by hand, stroke by loving stroke, with an adjustment of color for almost every dab. Think of it this way: order your 100,000 strokes now! [Is that what I do? Yep!]

Call 727-442-5553 and talk to me. (Never any pressure.) Or feel free to email in the middle of the night with your fuzzy bunny slippers on. There is also a place below for writing. Here’s to beauty and sentiment for all times of the year!

Related Posts:

• Custom Oil Portrait: Mother & Child
• Children Oil Portraits: Beach Buddies
• Children Oil Portraits: The Skater
• Children Oil Portraits: The Trampoline Twins
• Portrait Oil Painting Technique Salutes Masters
• Children Oil Portraits: Two Little Angels
• Children Oil Portraits: Is there a best age to portrait children?
• Children Oil Portraits for Mother’s Day
• Portrait Oil Painting in Brown and White Tones

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