Joe “The Artist” Paints & Sketches

Young children are best sketched or painted using photos.  However, if the painting is a commissioned work, then there is a lot more involved.  Introductions are in order, and the child must develop a trust in the artist.  Knowing something about the parents is important, as is learning about the child.

Helen Van Wyk (see previous article on this great portrait painter) would visit with the child, with the parents present to set the child at ease.  The visit would include discussions with the parents about the type of pose, the clothing the child would be wearing (colors, etc.,) where the child would be sitting (or standing) whether in their home or in Helen’s studio. 

One of the difficulties of doing a portrait of the child from only one photograph is that you have one moment of time, and one impression of the child, which is not enough to get the true measure of the child’s personality.  Hence, taking a number of photos letting the child shift back and forth as he/she wishes, engages the child in the process and the artist is much more likely to achieve a good result.  Having the parent read to the child a story that they like is helpful while doing the actual painting.  Short sittings are critical to good participation.

The sketch below is one done from a photo of the granddaughter of one our friends in Texas, on the occasion of her 4^th birthday.

Figure 1 - 4th Birthday