Graphite Portraits | Museum Quality Oil Painting | Oil Rendering Portraits

Museum Quality Oil Painting

First, a photo will be selected of the actual pose for the portrait.
Then, I set out the photos as well as any reference material – skeletal structure, special attributes of your particular pet’s breed, etc.on a drafting board, and make my initial graphite sketch on paper.
Next, on canvas, I will redraw the image using pencil.   Once I have started the sketches, I will send you a digital layout of the painting for approval.
Once the sketch is approved, I will start your painting.    In the first layer, or coat, I will use thinned, almost watery oil paint over the entire canvas – just giving a general image of your pet.
After that dries, I will again paint over it, starting with my darkest darks painting the third layer.  The paint will be a little thicker, not so thinned with turpentine.  I will start to paint in some general details.
The third layer will have paint that is not thinned at all, and I will be getting into the details.
Fourth and final layer, I may be using a medium to thicken the paint, and will be putting in the smallest details.
Final piece, framed.