Before & After: How Photographs Become Portrait Paintings

A painted portrait combines traditional photographic imagery with hand-applied painting artistry. Using a mixed media approach, I blend a variety of mediums, from modern electronic brushes to traditional artists' oil brushes.

Each painting commission begins with one or more reference images and is transformed into a work of art, initially on the computer using sophisticated painting brushwork, to deconstruct and to rebuild the image stroke by stroke, as a hand-painted rendering. Later, that initial underpainting is transferred to canvas and is enhanced with oils, textures and glazes. In the end, you'll have a painting that everyone will love!

While a traditional fine artist starting from a blank canvas has extraordinary talent, there are times that a person’s likeness may not carry through to the end. With the traditional arts, there is always the chance that a finished painting might not actually look like the person. Why take the chance that your painting not be exactly the way you expect?

Modern tools today allow us the advantage of electronically compositing and constructing the ideal reference image long before the first stroke begins. The reference image I use for any given painting might come from a combination of multiple images blended together. You'll be able to have the painting you always wanted and be able to see the progress along the way.

Simple head & shoulder paintings which are ideal for one subject, such as a child or a pet, are available for $1200-1600. Most custom paintings on canvas range from $2200-4900 or more and vary in investment based on size, scale and complexity. Together we'll determine where you will display it and what is the proper size to enjoy it everyday.

For portrait paintings that depict a 3/4 length, have more than one subject, or include a complex background, I often suggest a size starting at 16x20" or 20x24". For full length portraits, it is not uncommon to scale your finished painting at 30x40" or larger. Often the size and composition is determined by where you plan to hang the work of art.

For a classic head & shoulders portrait painting of a single subject, the petite 12x12" size is a scale for a charming portrait that conveys the personality of an individual child.

Great question! The best plan is to email or text your photograph (sometimes a few reference photos are helpful) for me to look at and evaluate if it will make a great painting.

You may be surprised what can work as a reference photo. Even with less-than-ideal quality photographs, beautiful paintings can emerge. Before dismissing a photo as not being worthy, send it over for a free review to bobbie@bobbiebush.com. I'll typically get back to you in a day or two.

The turnaround time varies depending on the number of commissions I am working on at the time. In most cases, commissions take 6-12 weeks to allow for revisions, proper dry time and/or framing. Some commissions can be turned around sooner if there is a special occasion that needs to be met!