Recent Commission

Chris Saper · 06-18-2002, 12:31 PM

This posthumous painting was a pleasure to do. I worked with this gentleman's son to incorporate a number of personalized features into the portrait.

I really enjoy doing this work for clients; even though the source material is often challenging, it is something very meaningful for the family.

Marta Prime · 06-18-2002, 03:29 PM

Hi Chris,

This is wonderful! I just love the way you charged all of that color into the background! It is also a good example of how to take an ordinary picture of a man in a suit and make it come alive. Remember the thread about men in suits?

I'll bet the family is thrilled. I almost feel as if I just met the man. Great Painting!

Cynthia Daniel · 06-18-2002, 06:11 PM

Unlike so many posthumous portraits, this has so much life to it! Very well done.

Morris Darby · 06-19-2002, 11:27 AM

I've seen landscapes and florals (especially watercolor) using this blend of modern colors, as opposed to traditional colors, and I don't really care for them. I guess because they are too unrealistic in appearance. However, I've got to say, this is the best handling of these colors I've seen to date and I've never seen them used in a portrait.

Leave it to Chis to forge new ground and leave it steady enough for us to walk on.

Chris Saper · 06-19-2002, 12:19 PM

Thank you all.

Morris, I continue to try to post more accurate color. I am very pleased to have discovered the Portra 100T film (which I used to photograph this painting), since it doesn't "grab" the reds as much as regular Kodak daylight film. I would say, though, that the blues are somewhat overstated, as is their intensity. When I get a chance, I'll play with Photoshop to see if I can improve the accuracy of my posted colors.

The color concept for this painting was actually suggested by the client, based on a loose recollection about an old Frank Sinatra album. I always give clients an opportunity to participate in things like color harmony, if they would like, as I think it's unwise to spring "surprises" on them. Of course, there is a great deal of self-selection that goes on, too. I doubt that the client who is looking for an Old Masters/Art Student League feel would be likely to call me in the first place. I like to use lots of color, and I show work with lots of color, so as a result, these are the types of clients I tend to get.

Lon Haverly · 07-27-2002, 10:45 PM

Great painting, Chris!

Backgrounds are so subjective. This really works well.

Elizabeth Schott · 10-01-2002, 10:28 PM

You know Chris, I have noticed in a couple of your posthumous works you have had to do open mouth smiles. I know some people do not like them and feel they don't belong in formal portraits, but I think the life Cynthia talks of, comes a lot through that smile. You have done a wonderful job.

Chris Saper · 10-02-2002, 12:56 AM

Hi, Beth.

I appreciate your kind note! You might enjoy the thread on "Teeth Showing" here: http://forum.portraitartist.com/show...teeth+showing. I usually go out of my way to avoid showing open-mouthed smiles. However, with posthumous work, you need to be flexible with what the client might have available, as well as to encourage your client to be flexible with YOU.

Again, thanks.

Denise Racine · 10-06-2002, 10:23 AM

What a beautiful portrait! The family must be very happy.

Other than the background, I especially like the way his hands are resting on the book. Was he placed like that in the original photo? I would also be interested in knowing the size of the canvas? Is he life-size?

Chris Saper · 10-06-2002, 01:05 PM

Thanks, Denise.

This piece is oil on linen, 24" x 18".

Regarding his hands, no, they were oringinally holding the back of a rattan chair. The chair was a design problem and didn't convey anything about this man whose distinguished legal career included the circuit court of appeals. Instead, I asked my husband to bring a law book home from his office; he chose Black's Law Dictionary. He explained that this is the most fundamental book every lawyer owns and relies upon countless times throughout his or her career. Its color and wider than average spine make it instantly recognizable to anyone in the legal profession, without needing to be literal about the tile, which is VERY loosely suggested in paint. Fortunately, both the color and shape of the book supported the design. The hands were painted from the original photos, as well as this gentleman's son (who commissioned the portrait), whose hands were a perfect stand-in, and my husband positioning the book.

This man's son also had all of his dad's ties (I learned quite a bit about the regimental stripe during this process) so he brought several over for me to select one for the painting. I tied it on a necklace display form, and painted the tie from a still-life set-up in my studio. It was fun.