PAINTING COMMISSIONS: BEFORE & AFTER

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.

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.

Great question. 
It 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!