Oil Portraiture for the Home and Office

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. Before answering this question, I would like to say, that a good freehand drawing from life or several good photos as reference material are needed for producing a quality portrait. The resulting painting reflects the process and style of the artist. Some painters will sacrifice quality by projecting a photo onto their canvas and trace, instead of making their own free hand sketch, which I believe is necessary in capturing the essence of the person being painted. I sketch, and then paint, from a life pose and/or several good photos. A camera produces a photo, while only a human can produce an oil portrait. The question is, do you just want a nice photograph type painting, or do you prefer a beautiful work of art! Don't be fooled, there is a difference!

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. It's easy to love something you're passionate about.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. Can you work from 2 or more photographs? I can, and would prefer several especially if I'm not going to meet the subject being painted.

Can you change the outfit, or background? I can add a different background of course, and change color of clothing, hair, eyes, etc!

These are commonly asked questions aside
from the price, size and length of time required to complete a portrait.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. Once long ago, when I was still a teen, I was asked to paint one of my mom's employee's children. I set up the first appointment in the basement of our house where I had my art studio. It was a ranch and the basement was huge, with two standard size pool and ping pong tables, laundry, and two offices. Well, the mother brought her son over that day, and I brought him downstairs for his first sitting. I didn't expect him to sit motionless in the chair, but I thought he'd remain there long enough to sketch him. Five minutes into the sitting he was up and running..I chased him around and around the pool table trying to get a glimpse of him! This was my first experience with trying to paint a rambunctious 12 yr old! Trying to maintain my cool, I grabbed my Polaroid, snapped a few pictures, and worked mostly from those photos!

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. Depending on the size, composition and number of subjects, prices vary. Schedule an appointment to discuss pricing for single, double or group portraits, engagement & wedding portraits or animal portraiture. For example, a single head and shoulders pose, pricing starts at $400. I request 1/3 of the balance at the start of any painting, and will tailor a payment plan with your budget in mind.