A portrait painting or drawing depicts the image of a particular person. The subject of a portrait is usually called a “sitter”, because traditionally people would sit in front of the artist to have their portrait painted. Nowadays, artists can work from a photograph, so not everyone has to “sit” for a portrait.

Portraits are effective and compelling when they tell us something about the person. A good portrait is not just a visual representation of a person; it will also reveal something about the essence of the person. What the portrait reveals may not be completely obvious – sometimes it can be cleverly implied through a certain expression or pose, an included object, or the artist’s use of colour.

A strong portrait captivates viewers, draws them into the painting, and engages their attention. Such a portrait painting causes the viewer to wonder about the person depicted. In this way, a portrait painting or drawing can function as a biography – telling the story of that person’s life. The artist will carefully craft visual clues to tell the story of the person in the artwork.

If you are interested in a portrait painting, please contact me.