My Process:
In my process, I ask for a high-quality photo to identify the desired pose. I also need several additional photos to gain an overall impression of a subject. For your 2-person painting, you can send the general pose of the two of you, but also send individual pictures for detail (hair, clothes, etc.) Each subject is painted with many layers – up to 12 – with base colors and successive translucent layers or additional colors to provide depth and dimensionality. I like to paint in convincing detail that sometimes requires painting with a magnifying glass and a paintbrush with just a few bristles. It takes about 6 weeks to paint a portrait, due to the multiple layers and drying times. Portraits can have a museum wrap or in a standard thickness, ready for you to frame.
I will review your high-quality professional photograph or group of photographs, as I start by laying out the basic image on a prepared canvas. I like to lay down a solid base layer and then build out skin colors by adding multiple layers of translucent paint colors that need to dry between each layer. I only use high-quality oil paints with superior pigments that will not fade over time. I build out layers of skin tones, add light and shadow effects on clothes, and highlight background effects. The final details are painstakingly crafted to capture the subject’s aura. I tend to like impressionist backgrounds or accent color backgrounds and maintain focus on the subject. I also tend to leave eye detail for last to give life to the portrait. If the eyes are focused forward, the portrait takes on a life of its own by “following you” as you view the face from various angles. Your painting will be finished with a UV protective coat of varnish ready for framing!
Send the subject’s photos to vasquezartrose@gmail.com include any special instructions.
Please give a brief story of the subject to be painted, it helps me capture his or her personality.
We will contact you to confirm your sent photo and estimate completion date.