The use of photo references has become a contemporary necessity especially where children and busy adults are involved.  I take my own photos to maintain artistic control.  While photographs are a valuable resource, the portrait is never just a "copy" of a photograph.

In this example of an oil portrait, an initial drawing was made in charcoal on a toned canvas.  Then an oil drawing was completed using paint thinned with turpentine.

Here is the first stage of color application -- very thin, rough and blocky.  From here the painting is worked day by day adding detail with varying degrees of thickness of oil paint.

This is the finished oil portrait: a 20" x 24" Head and Hands (with adorable puppy!)

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