J. Craig Greene ~ Artist's Portraits

Portraits

::: How Your Portrait will be Painted :::

My portraits are painted from life and from photographs, or from a combination of both. I usually like to visit with the subject of a portrait and learn about them in person. Then a photo session is arranged so that I can take a variety of pictures showing diverse poses and backgrounds. In the case of very young children, existing photographs may be used. However, the more natural poses make for the best portraits. To that end, I may shoot a number of candid photos of the child.

From these photos a pose is chosen by you. I may then begin a charcoal drawing in my studio which will serve as the basis for the oil painting. This may require several sittings. If this is impossible, I will work with the subject or the family to assure that the likeness and composition are the best possible. The actual painting will take at least two months because of the oil technique being used. Additional sittings may be required to assure color and light accuracy.

I have official portraits hanging in the North Carolina Supreme Court and Court of Appeals buildings in Raleigh, North Carolina. As you can see from the examples in this web site, I am at home with the very informal, as well as the most formal portraits.