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W I L L I A M J. A K R I D G E
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Learn what makes a great portrait
I created this Oil Portrait info page to point out some basics of oil painting, and to
share some of my analysis of fine painting. In creating this, I have seen it is often
very helpful for a client to review some basics before sending me a photo.
When considering a photo to be made into a painting, some poses and expressions
are better candidates than others. From the beginning of the selection process, many
clients keep in mind how the work will be viewed and appreciated in the generations
to come.
I will review with you which photos or poses are generally best for your oil painting
I want you to be able to naturally grow close to the finished work, to appreciate the
experience and emotion of your oil painting.
My take is that Art fuels the imagination, links the human spirit and bridges the heart.
Please enjoy William J. Akridge
Please click on the underlined text for more Information and Artwork on the Artist
share some of my analysis of fine painting. In creating this, I have seen it is often
very helpful for a client to review some basics before sending me a photo.
When considering a photo to be made into a painting, some poses and expressions
are better candidates than others. From the beginning of the selection process, many
clients keep in mind how the work will be viewed and appreciated in the generations
to come.
I will review with you which photos or poses are generally best for your oil painting
I want you to be able to naturally grow close to the finished work, to appreciate the
experience and emotion of your oil painting.
My take is that Art fuels the imagination, links the human spirit and bridges the heart.
Please enjoy William J. Akridge
Please click on the underlined text for more Information and Artwork on the Artist
Campin This painting is called a portrait of a woman. It was finished in 1430 and
11x16 inches. Notice that she is sitting a 3/4 turn, takes up the whole
canvas, and never looks at you. This pose is among the most often selected.
Campin
11x16 inches. Notice that she is sitting a 3/4 turn, takes up the whole
canvas, and never looks at you. This pose is among the most often selected.
Campin
Please click to enlarge
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Gainsborough Here are a couple of portraits of the artist daugthers. When portraits
have two or more people, they are painted close together. This principle
is not set in stone, but it makes a great painting. These where done in
the 1750s to 1770s.
Gainsborugh
have two or more people, they are painted close together. This principle
is not set in stone, but it makes a great painting. These where done in
the 1750s to 1770s.
Gainsborugh
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Cassett Her work shows how you don't have to cover the whole of the canvas, to
get a great portrait. Please notice the 3/4 turn. You may want to stage a
photo like the mother and child sitting together. These are done around the
1900s.
Cassette
get a great portrait. Please notice the 3/4 turn. You may want to stage a
photo like the mother and child sitting together. These are done around the
1900s.
Cassette
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Ingres His portraits are highly polished. In this style he use glazes to achieve this
look. This type of painting takes more than 8 weeks , sometimes it can
take up to 2 years or more. Notice the clothing how fancy and complicated.
These are done in the 1850s.
Ingres
look. This type of painting takes more than 8 weeks , sometimes it can
take up to 2 years or more. Notice the clothing how fancy and complicated.
These are done in the 1850s.
Ingres
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Vigee-Le Brun She has a beautiful style. This is also glazing. I sometimes use this
style in my portrait painting; the results can be quite memorable in
portraits. For your portrait, maybe you want to be dramatic with your
pose. You can use props like flowers. Your selection of background
can be kept simple, or can be very elaborate.., Remember, in addition
to creating a portrait of a loved one, you are creating art. These works
were done in the 1800s.
Vigee-Le Brun
style in my portrait painting; the results can be quite memorable in
portraits. For your portrait, maybe you want to be dramatic with your
pose. You can use props like flowers. Your selection of background
can be kept simple, or can be very elaborate.., Remember, in addition
to creating a portrait of a loved one, you are creating art. These works
were done in the 1800s.
Vigee-Le Brun
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Raeburn His style its a little looser, yet it makes a tremendous portrait. He had so
much work he couldn't keep up; some had to wait up to a year or more.
These where done in the 1790s.
Raeburn.
much work he couldn't keep up; some had to wait up to a year or more.
These where done in the 1790s.
Raeburn.
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Romney In this portrait, it's a side view. I like this type if the person has a striking
profile. Notice that in all the portraits the light is coming from one direction.
When you do this it gives you more drama and makes for a great portrait.
Romney
profile. Notice that in all the portraits the light is coming from one direction.
When you do this it gives you more drama and makes for a great portrait.
Romney
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Sorolla You can use your cultural theme, or a favorite setting to place your sitter. In these
two portraits he creatively uses a chair, which helps to define the space of the portraits.
In one he paints the wall and the other he doesn't, just uses the chair. The space
and background selected helps define the effect of the paintings.These where done
in the early 1900s.
Sorolla
Sorolla Museum
two portraits he creatively uses a chair, which helps to define the space of the portraits.
In one he paints the wall and the other he doesn't, just uses the chair. The space
and background selected helps define the effect of the paintings.These where done
in the early 1900s.
Sorolla
Sorolla Museum
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Sargent He is one of the greatest painters who has ever lived. The paintings I feature
show a range of different portraits. A simple protrait can stand on its own
as a great work of art. All the painters shown on this page were famous in
thier own time, it is not always that an artist's work becomes valueble only
after they have gone from this world.
As each noted artist has their own style, if you like thier style, choosing it for
your own portrait makes for a very happy result. Study a bit and think about
what you really want in your portrait?
I picked these artists because my style is close to theirs; I have an affinity
for these types of painting styles, which serves as a foundation for my work.
John Singer Sargent Gallery
Sargent
Sargent at the Art Renewal
show a range of different portraits. A simple protrait can stand on its own
as a great work of art. All the painters shown on this page were famous in
thier own time, it is not always that an artist's work becomes valueble only
after they have gone from this world.
As each noted artist has their own style, if you like thier style, choosing it for
your own portrait makes for a very happy result. Study a bit and think about
what you really want in your portrait?
I picked these artists because my style is close to theirs; I have an affinity
for these types of painting styles, which serves as a foundation for my work.
John Singer Sargent Gallery
Sargent
Sargent at the Art Renewal
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