Portrait method
THE PROCESS TOWARDS
A GOOD PORTRAIT
“First of all, the person on the canvas must recognize himself. And in the event that I portray a child, the parents must see that child on the canvas that they would like to see. ” Having a portrait made is something very special. As a client you can emphasize exactly what you find so specific or special. Maybe this is a certain facial expression or body position. The many layers of paint and the many decisions that are taken during the painting process (such as use of color, tonal values and contrasts) have an added value on the appearance of a painted portrait. The reason why people have a portrait made is very different. It can be a gift for a partner or a family member. For a birthday, wedding or anniversary. Or just to have something very special in your interior. Sometimes the portrait can be a reminder and comfort for someone after the death of a loved one. After an appointment between the client and me, I take several photos, paying close attention to the lighting and composition. I prefer to take these photos in the home situation of the person who will be portrayed. This happens in a casual atmosphere, so that I can capture a good and relaxed facial expression in the photos. It is much more convenient than organizing one or more life sessions in my studio, which would mean that the model would have to pose for hours. Children in particular cannot sit still for long. Finally, we come together to make a selection of the best photos for the portrait. Of course you can also supply a good and favorite photo yourself. Sometimes it is not possible for me to take the photos myself. For example when the distance is too great or if the person I am going to paint has died. Then the client, together with me, selects the most suitable photo or photos that I can use for making the portrait. During such a first meeting, I will discuss with you the desired size of the portrait. The pose, the choice of clothing and the background of the portrait to be painted are also discussed. Ultimately, the result must be to everyone's satisfaction. I paint my portraits in oil on canvas; layer upon layer and each layer must dry. That is why making a portrait takes a lot of time. It takes at least a few weeks for a layer to dry. That's why I always work on a few portraits at the same time. The variety and taking some distance in between benefit the result.