Creating Portraits From Photos
Creating portraits from photos When creating a traditional portrait from photo sources, the commissioned artist usually prefers to take his or her own photo reference material. At Your Photo To Painting, we understand that the material we are being given to work from will vary greatly in it's overall quality level from excellent to unusable. Since the photographs may or may not have been taken with the end use of making portraits from photos, we will do everything in our power to post a painting proof online that you will love, approve and purchase. This sometimes requires altering various elements in the photo.
A portrait from photo sources that was planned from the time it was taken is the best case scenario because the overall composition, lighting, wardrobe and background choices are thought through. When this is not the case, we are frequently able to assist in these areas after the fact. We have replaced smiles, removed glare from glasses, added or removed people, changed clothing or clothing colors, and totally replaced backgrounds in an effort to create portraits from photos that you would be proud to own.
In addition to uploading your photo(s) to our website, it can be helpful to provide any comments up front that can guide our artists to create a proof that is in line with your expectations. Especially if you have strong feelings about anything that will need to be altered beyond the usual application of the painting technique. There have been instances where a portrait from photo reference was to be created to fit in with other existing portraits, so not only was size an issue, but also overall degree of realism and color tone. In those cases, additional photo reference was uploaded to help in this process.
The best portraits from photos have a few common denominators. Whether human or animal, there is a closeness about the shot that is more than just proximity to the camera. This is a mood that can be established and enhanced by good lighting that allows for an interesting play of light and shadow as well as an angle that compliments the subject (usually oblique rather than straight on). There is sufficient resolution in the uploaded image or scan to provide enough digital information to work with.
Since the appreciation of portrait art over time has ranged from wealthy and powerful benefactors to the humble and beloved friends or family of the artist, there are a range of styles that might appeal to modern buyer. A contemporary portrait from photo reference is still sometimes about projecting a dignified and formal quality in the office or home where it will be viewed. More typical is a relaxed and informal approach that is as candid as the (often unplanned) photograph is.
The common denominator mentioned above about 'closeness' also applies to the proximity to the camera because when a person (or pet) is far enough away they cease to become a primary subject in a portrait and become a figure in a landscape. We are pointing this out not to split hairs but to come to an understanding about expectations. Portraits from photos will have a degree of recognizability that a figure in a landscape may not. This is regardless of whether you prefer the painting technique to be looser and more 'painterly' or tighter and more realistic. The occasional problem may arise when a looser style is preferred with a larger group portrait shot. In this case, we try to find a balance between keeping the facial features realistic enough to be recognizable and the overall looseness the customer prefers.
The use of color when creating a portrait from photo sources can be as adjustable as the degree of realism is. This is also the perfect way to use the online proofing system. We do not mind creating a variation proof that has a different use of color from the original photograph. What we mean is that the vivid colors of a photograph might, in some cases (depending on your personal and very subjective preferences) be reduced to a more monochromatic color scheme that enhances the mood of your portrait. Or in the case of black & white uploads, perhaps a bit of warmth in the way of a slight sepia tone can be added as an option. Portraits from photos should be about options since these effects are created digitally and not as a result of hours of hand labor.
Your portrait from photo reference should be so beautiful that you consider it to be one of those things that you will want to enjoy looking at every day for years to come. That's the main motivation behind "Making Your Memories Into Art".