Gigi

Number three of five granddaughters I've been commissioned to paint.

"Gigi"   14" x 11"   Oil

"Sumner"

Another recently delivered commissioned portrait.  The second of five granddaughters. 

"Sumner"   14" x 11"   Oil

Jewell

A recently delivered portrait commission.  The first of five granddaughters.

"Jewell"  14" x 11"  Oil  

Portrait of Grayson #3

A grandchild makes a fine portrait subject.

"Grayson #3"   Oil   14" x 11"

Workshop at Whidbey Island Fine Art Studio

I recently had the privilege of teaching a portrait painting workshop at Whidbey Island Fine Art Studio in Washington state.  Our venue was the beautiful Dancing Fish Vineyards on the island.  My son was there and produced this short video, giving a taste of the experience.

Video by Justin Tennison

The first morning started with a demo.

Then the workshop participants began their paintings.

There were two models posing on opposite sides of the room.

It was a great experience for me -- helping and painting alongside fellow artists.

My Grandson

He is kind.  He is smart.  He is important.

"Grayson"   14" x 11"   Oil

My Granddaughter

One of the sweetest portrait subjects ever.  

(Just my unbiased opinion.)

"Lily"   14" x 11"   Oil

Vera at the Farm

A commissioned portrait of Vera -- on her family's farm in South Carolina.

"Vera"   40" x 32"   Oil

Portrait Demonstration Time-lapse Video

A time-lapse video with narration about my process for painting a portrait.

Video by Justin Tennison

Portrait Demonstration

I've been working on a portrait for an instructional video.  This time-lapse will include narration of my thought process as I'm painting the portrait.  Here are a few steps along the way.

Some careful measurements at the beginning are essential for me.  (Well begun is half done.)

After completing the drawing, I begin with my darkest dark.  This helps me to compare and judge other values against it.

I start blocking in the larger masses, sometimes with a paper towel.

Now it's a matter of adjustments and refinements (and a lot of concentrated effort) to achieve a likeness.

I often use my palette knife to remove areas that need correction.  (In this case I had the corner of the mouth too high.)

The finished painting demo.

"Portrait of Tiana"   14" x 11"   Oil

Tiana on Horseback

Tiana is a skilled horsewoman and the CEO at Classical Baroque Horse.  I met Tiana when she rode into town for the National Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Show here in Fort Worth, Texas.  She was kind to take time to pose for me and maybe someday I'll also paint her horse.

"Tiana on Horseback"   24" x 18"   Oil

Parisienne

I painted this portrait from a photograph I took in Montmartre in Paris.  I'm not actually sure where this pretty girl is from, but she looks like a Parisienne to me.

"Parisienne"   14" x 11"   Oil