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:
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- Illustration: Find custom illustration, book covers, illustrated maps, and architectural rendering.
- Fine Art: Browse original paintings and drawings, the Custom Halftone Series, and murals.
- Graphic Design & Motion: See my graphic design work, plus motion design and animated illustrations.
- Maps by industry: Illustrated maps tailored for boat shows, resorts, marinas, real estate, transit & parking, towns & cities, parks, and wayfinding.
- Other project types: Also available: cover art, vehicle & vinyl wraps, proposal renderings, and street art.
- Techniques: Explore work in vector, isometric & axonometric, painting, black & white, GeoData, overhead, and halftone styles.
- Software: Primary tools: Photoshop, Illustrator, SketchUp Pro, and InDesign. Motion work uses Premiere Pro & After Effects.