Portrait Oil Painting

Portrait Oil Painting

Some people are intimidated with the artistic process and there is no need to be! There is no "magic" in the creation of a portrait - but there are a lot of decisions that need to be made in collaboration with the painters and the client. Here are a few tips to make sure that the process is fun and that you get the result you want at the end.

1) The first rule in commissioning a painting is to understand your role as the client. A commissioned portrait is a different process than when an artist creates a work independently and the artist's main goal is to make YOU happy - not to create his/her magnum opus.

2) The first step is to create a mockup of what the painting will be like so that you and the artist are on the same page regarding the composition, color, and scaling of the painting. The painting is going to look like the mockup so if you don't like the mockup, you're probably not going to like the painting either. NOW is the time to stop, reflect what it is you want, and communicate that. Don't be shy!

3) If you are thinking to yourself, "I'm not an artist. I don't know what to tell him/her", then a good way to help yourself focus is to look at pictures you like. Imagine your content in the frame of another painting. If it is close, then share that with your painter.

4) Creating a painting is an iterative process. This means that it may take several attempts back-and-forth before you get the composition you're looking for. Be patient and go with the process.

5) Remember, there is no magic wand that changes everything between the mockup and the painting. The painter will try to be true to the mockup, since this is what he/she believes you want. Don't hope for a magical change. Yes, it will be great to see your composition painted and that is kind of magical, but no - the colors and subjects won't change significantly!

6) Every painter has a Painting style. Hopefully you picked your painter because you liked some of their previous work. Ask to see samples, if you can. Assume that your painting will be in a similar style to the samples you've seen. Don't ask a painter who does abstract paintings to do your portrait - unless you want an abstract portrait!

7) Don't hesitate to ask for what you want because you think it may be too hard. What is easy and what is hard for the painter is not necessarily obvious. If you want to change the background, that's probably easy. If you want to add two more inches to the bottom after the painting is done, that's probably hard - if not impossible!

Final approval: Seeing as new again is important. Artists struggle to get their objectivity back after being immersed in a painting. This is also true for clients. After you have been making decisions and directing the process, it's sometimes hard to step back and see the painting freshly as someone who had never seen it would. Try framing it with your hands and imagining it on your wall to break out of the preconceptions you have gained by going through the creative process.

9) When your painting is done, have your local framer help you pick out the frame that will enhance your painting within the context where you will display it. Once it's hung on the wall, enjoy your painting and tell your friends!

When painting portraits, is it better to use oil or acrylic?

I am wanting to start painting portraits and I have seen many oil on canvas portraits that looked fabulous, but presently I have quite a lot of acrylic paint. Should I go buy some oil based paint?

you can create wonderful portraits in both. the thing you have to remember with oil is that it does not dry as fast as other paints. it allows for greater mixing of paints to get the color you want (such as skin tone). Preference is the key. practice with oils and see how you like them. If you're not happy with the paint, you willl not be happy with the final result.