I have been painting house portraits in watercolor for over 30 years. Recently I began using acrylics on canvas and find that this adds a new dimension to the process. A portrait of a special home can remind the viewer of warm memories and is a wonderful gift for anniversaries and other occasions. (See below for more details)
Watercolors 12 x 16" in a 16 x 20" mat enclosed in acetate ready for framing.
Acrylic on canvas 11 x 14" format, also ready for framing.
I work from photographs and can take the photos myself if the home is in the area. I can also work from existing photos if they provide enough information. If you prefer to do your own photography, the following are suggestions for obtaining good photos:
- Take the photo from different angles to insure that you find the most becoming view.
- Step back and take pictures that provide a feel for the setting, especially the height of the trees. Move up close for details.
- Take your photo on a sunny day when shadows are long - close to 9:30 am or 4:30 pm
- Describe changes that you want made in the painting. You may want to a picture of your parents' house as it looked 30 years ago. This may mean a change in the color of the house or in the landscaping. Or you may want to change the season, or to describe flowers typically used in containers, or to add a flag.
- Although most houses are done in spring or summer, winter pictures, especially those taken at twilight, can be very effective.
- If you send photos please enclose your name and phone number and email address.
