Working
from life as much as the sitter’s
schedule permits, Charles believes time with the subject
of the portrait is essential to delivering the best painting
possible. Utilizing a combination of photography and life
sittings, he works with the client to create a portrait
imbued with personality and life.
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Everything from the size of the canvas
to the composition and the pose all work to convey the
essence of the sitter that only time and understanding
can produce. “I seek
more than a likeness,” Charles explains. “In
gesture and attitude, I seek to convey the spirit which makes
the sitter unique.”
While
not for everyone, having a portrait painted from life is
a time honored, though unique, experience. Those who desire
more than just a session with a photographer will find a
better way - the satisfaction of seeing the development of
a fine art portrait of depth and character. It should be
no surprise that to achieve that depth of concept, it takes
time between the sitter and the artist. Time to chat, time
to paint from life, and time to go beyond the superficial
likeness into a painting that captures the intangible and
illuminates the qualities that define the individual.
Upon arrival, Charles will paint a head study
from life in two sittings (roughly 2-3 hrs each). He may
photograph some the first day, but mostly he wants to spend
some time with the subject to gain some perspective toward
the direction of the portrait. Later, based on the discussions
with the sitter and client while painting the study, Charles
will begin working out the pose for the painting that best
conveys the sitter. The following day, he photographs the
subject.
Back
at the studio, Charles will then paint a color compositional
study and send it via email for approval.
Later, Charles returns to the sitter to begin the portrait.
Depending on the sitter’s preferences, he can work
from life as much as the sitter’s schedule allows.
For a complete portrait from life, the classic portrait experience,
Charles needs six to eight sittings of roughly two to three
hours each, scheduled for the sitter’s convenience.
For those who choose the
blended approach, after the approval of the color study,
Charles returns with the portrait already underway and between
scheduled sittings he utilizes the photographs to move the
painting forward. The blended approach needs two to four
sittings. If you need a more streamlined process, a single
two-hour sitting from life to complete the portrait is one
of the few requirements the artist insists on. From the first
head study to the final sitting the portrait should be complete
within six months.
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