Wednesday, 25 June 2014

Portrait Commission

So you are thinking of having a portrait painted of yourself or a loved one. Where do you start? What’s involved?  Have you considered the process?

When someone sits for a portrait they are not sure what is expected of them. We are all so used to people taking photographs that we can just shrug it off. But a portrait, even if it is a photographic one means we are being observed very intensely .This can be quite an unnerving experience. There is an element of expectation and unknowing. How will I be seen  We all have an image in our head of how we view ourselves.  So to expose that view to scrutiny can be challenging, exciting and enlightening. It is said that no two people see things in the same way. Well among artists it is very obvious that approaches to art are many and varied.



When choosing to have a portrait painted or drawn you need to see samples of portraits that the artist has produced. Most artists have a range of portraits available to show you, so you can see the style of portraits they produce.
Then, of course, the medium you choose will also be an important factor, be it pencil, oil, acrylic or pastel.

Each Artist has a particular way of working; some work only from life others only from photographic reference. I like to work from both, as it gives me and the sitter the ability to be flexible. I also feel the results are better if I have met the person. Unfortunately we do not live in an ideal world so work mainly from photographic reference.




             Lily Mae  pencil



 I am always willing to use reference photos that you provide as our busy lifestyles often dictate this is the only avenue open to us.

If you wish to have the experience of sitting for a portrait contact me as each portrait has individual circumstances.


I have carried out many portraits using pencil ,oil and acrylic. If you have the time and inclination, then for a portrait to truly work in my opinion, we need that close observation that only study from life and  time can supply. I would suggest this is more suitable to the older sitter who is capable of interacting in the process.



                                                                                                                       Annie pencil





If you are Interested just contact us via the information below.


                  


Lily Mae - detail acrylic& oil on board




 Price Guide:                                      Contact : petesportraits@hotmail.com

Oil based portrait head and shoulders 20 x 16 inches       £150.00 additional person £50.00

Acrylic based portrait head and shoulders 20 x 16inches  £120.00 additional person £40.00
                                                                      
Pencil based portrait head and shoulders 20 x 16  inches  £85.00   additional person £25.00                                                                                 

                                

















































Wednesday, 22 January 2014

Is drawing a necessary skill



For me drawing has always been the most important skill to master I still struggle everyday to improve, I like to draw in the studio







This Piece was the first drawing I did after my heart operation in 2010 it was very therapeutic for me as I realized that could do something worth while as I recuperated and it is something I had done on and off since I was a boy






 


My second piece it just seem to follow on






 An so on I love to draw in pencil


                 



 Drawings from the Umbrella  drop Center where I volunteer on Thursdays














 Our local MP Sir Roger Gale





Pencil Portrait of a politician                                    Study for portrait of Sir Roger "Constituent Home Visit"


https://www.facebook.com/petergreenpeg


                                                          Commission with Colour




New Year, Back to Basic's

So its January and I have not really made any resolutions other than trying to find time to paint. My aim last year was to be organised so I would have some paintings ready for the  Royal Portrait Artist Exhibition and I did start two piece work for this in plenty of time but I just seemed to fritter it away on other things.
 I have however manage to put  a drawing together which I might put up for pre-selection which I find is a great idea. No lugging up paintings or drawings  to London unless they have some chance of being looked at. I had two last year the RPS exhibition and the Thread needle at the Mall  so I dutifully took up my pieces to be viewed, unfortunately they did not get in but it was an improvement on the year before so I viewed it as a success.  I also had four commissions for which I was paid and the local Exhibitions were  fruitful  as sold some pieces . This is the first piece  this year Sarah and Ryan

 


This is a Pencil work carried out from some photographs I took in my lounge when they came to have coffee one Sunday Morning. The subject matter is great as I like people and especially little people.