Portraits

Procedure:

I paint portraits in oil on canvas or linen, and watercolour on paper, and draw in charcoal and conté pencil on paper or board. I work from life and photographs or from short films and photographs if I am not able to meet with the sitter in person.

Working from life and photographs, I would meet with the sitter to sketch, photograph and get to know the sitter’s likeness and personality. If the material collected from the initial meeting is satisfactory to both myself and the client then the portrait can be started. Regular updates on the painting’s progress shown to the client throughout the painting of the portrait.

Working from short films and photographs (in the case of not being able to meet with the sitter in person) would require a telephonic meeting to discuss the requirements on the part of myself and the client. A short digital film of the sitter (about two to five minutes in length) would be necessary in order for me to understand the sitter’s likeness and personality. This film would be made by the client. A further two to five photographs would need to be taken of the sitter by the client. I would refer to both the film and the photographs to paint the portrait. Again, regular updates on the painting’s progress would be shown to the client throughout the painting of the portrait.

The painting would take anywhere from one to four months to complete, depending on my work schedule.