An Acrylic Painting of a Young Girl and her Beloved Grey Horse
LOIS & VINNIE THE GREY HORSE
& TUX THE COCKAPOOCHON
Lois & Vinnie Portrait size: 11" x 14"
Tux Portrait size: 8" x 10"
on Ampersand Gessobord
Tux Portrait size: 8" x 10"
on Ampersand Gessobord
Completed October and December 2024
The two portraits presented below were commissioned by my lovely neighbour, Joan. She wanted to give a special gift to her 13-year-old great-granddaughter, Lois, who adores her horse, Vinnie, and her dog Tux. Read on to gain further insight into these two commissions and how they developed.
The image displayed above features two portraits side by side, both framed in a consistent style. While there may be minor differences in the appearance of the frame colours, these variations are primarily due to the differing lighting conditions during the photo shoot. During my exploration of more ornate frames in the studio, I found that the intricate designs often diverted attention from the artwork, potentially diminishing its overall impact. This observation highlights the value of simplicity in art presentation, suggesting that, in many cases, a more understated approach can effectively enhance the viewer's experience and appreciation of the artwork.
If you are considering commissioning an acrylic portrait and would like it to be framed, visit my Framing page for more examples.
If you are considering commissioning an acrylic portrait and would like it to be framed, visit my Framing page for more examples.
LOIS AND VINNIE - YOUNG GIRL AND GREY HORSE
This portrait was expertly created from an A4 photograph. While I occasionally work with physical photos, I will always favour digital images for their superior editing capabilities. The original image showcased a dull concrete road, sparse trees, and a dreary sky, which inspired me to elevate the scene creatively. I infused vibrant colours and transformed the background with lush greenery and a bright sky, turning an uninspiring setting into a captivating portrait. Throughout this process, I made sure that the girl and her horse stood out as the focal points, commanding attention without being overshadowed.
I offer a variety of canvas sizes, from 8" x 10" to 16" x 20," with larger sizes available upon request. When it comes to certain compositions, especially full-body portraits, a larger canvas truly makes a difference in capturing detail and impact. For this portrait, which was an 11" x 14" canvas, I found that I had to omit a lot of the intricate details. This is because even the finest brushes can't achieve the level of precision needed, and accurately applying those details on a small scale, can be quite challenging. It's similar to trying to sew with a knitting needle! To fully appreciate the beauty and intricacy of full-body portraits and detailed backgrounds, I highly recommend choosing a large canvas. This approach allows for a more effective and visually stunning artwork.
Creating a realistic representation of the face within a confined area of a painting presents certain challenges due to the intricate details required. To tackle this, I found it helpful to shift the focus away from the subject itself, by flipping the canvas upside down. This technique allowed me to concentrate on accurately rendering the lines and forms without the psychological pressure of viewing it as a face. By adopting this method, I could transform what initially seemed like an overwhelming task into an enjoyable and manageable part of the creative process.
In order to achieve a vivid and realistic representation of the grass in this portrait, it was necessary to work with the canvas oriented upside down. This technique facilitated better control and precision, as pulling the paintbrush downward produced sharp, defined tips that closely resemble the natural appearance of grass. With the exception of the background, the majority of the portrait was executed using this method.
TUX THE COCKAPOOCHON
Initially, there was a request to include Tux in the portrait alongside Lois and her horse. While this might be feasible in some cases, certain constraints ultimately made it impossible to fulfill this request. Specifically, incorporating the black dog, Tux, into an 11" x 14" portrait would likely result in an indistinct shape in the corner of the canvas. Additionally, I only had an A5 photograph of Tux, which presented challenges due to its lack of clear definition in several areas, potentially compromising the accurate representation of the dog. Therefore, it was proposed that I create a separate 8" x 10" portrait of Tux, which proved to be a more effective approach for capturing his unique characteristics.
For instance, when depicting black animals, details can often be lost, necessitating additional research online for reference images, provided I can identify the specific breed.
For instance, when depicting black animals, details can often be lost, necessitating additional research online for reference images, provided I can identify the specific breed.
The photograph of Tux posed a unique challenge as a reference image, mainly because key details in black animals can often be obscured, even in digital formats. However, I found that digital images allow for greater flexibility in manipulation compared to physical photographs. To improve the accuracy of my portrait, I used several online images of black Cockapoo dogs. This approach helped me better define the details of Tux’s eyes, which were not clearly visible in the original photograph.
Additionally, these reference images aided in distinguishing the fur on Tux's face, forehead, and ears—features that needed clarification. By carefully addressing these important details, I was able to avoid an exaggerated appearance and enhance the overall representation. Ultimately, this method proved effective in refining Tux's features, and I was thrilled to receive a lovely card from Lois expressing how much she cherished the portraits!