Illustration in Oils
Artist: John Potter
I painted this portrait of my daughter when she was a baby. It is oil on stretched canvas. I worked in the old masters' tradition of painting dark to light. The underpainting shows through in the darker skin tones.
I also added some playful patterns to the composition. The subject called for something light, and the patterns keep the painting from feeling too formal or stiff for a child's portrait.
This piece was primarily an exercise to keep my drawing and painting skills sharp. You can see the same foundational abilities at work in many of my other portraits and figure paintings. The approach is the same whether the subject is a baby or an adult. Observe carefully. Draw accurately. Build the paint with intention.
If you are considering a portrait of your own child, a family member, or yourself, contact me to discuss the project. I work in oils and acrylics and welcome both formal and informal approaches.
PORTRAITS:
EXPLORE MY WORK
- Illustration: Discover custom illustrations, book covers, illustrated maps, and architectural renderings.
- Fine Art: Browse original paintings and drawings, view the Custom Halftone Series, or check out mural projects.
- Graphic Design & Motion: See the graphic design collection, then dive into motion design and animated illustrations.
- Maps by industry: View illustrated maps tailored for boat shows, resorts, marinas, real estate, transportation, towns, parks, and wayfinding.
- More project types: Explore cover art, vehicle wraps, proposal renderings, and street art.
- Techniques & styles: Work spans vector, isometric, painting, black-and-white, GeoData, overhead maps, and halftones.
- Software expertise: Primary tools include Photoshop, Illustrator, SketchUp Pro, and InDesign, plus Premiere Pro & After Effects for motion. I am also supplementing some projects with AI.