I completed these two paintings last year 2021 for a returning client. He previously commissioned a painting of a boy and returned with another two commissions last year. He wanted me to paint his wife and daughter’s portraits. These were given to the ladies as gifts to the client’s wife Orla and daughter Lucy. They are both so pretty, I wanted to do them justice in the portraits. The client was very happy with the finished paintings.
Orla’s painting was based on a few photographs provided by the client. It is 30 x 30 cm in size painted in acrylics on stretched canvas. We decided for a cool blue background to complement her warm skin tones. It worked well with the colour of her hair too. I love her soft smile which comes through in her eyes too. There is so much personality in the photo and I wanted to capture this in Orla’s portrait.
The client was very happy with both paintings and felt I captured the essence of both ladies. It was great to hear and I was just delighted to have captured both ladies in paint.
Lucy’s painting as based on an outdoor photo in a sunny location, so the lighting was completely different. I simplified the background to spread the green hue all along which contrasted with her pale skin and hair. The flower in her hair added another layer to the portrait. I wanted the portrait to feel light just as her smile and expression.
I took some photos of the finished paintings side by side on the shelf in my studio. It is always great to see more than one painting together. They are usually gone so quickly, I don’t get to see them again. It is as if they start a life of their own in the hands and homes of the people that commissioned or gifted them. And I begin on a new commission straight away.
