Portrait of the Sheriff

[Patrick Taylor]

This is a portrait I did of Jerry Keller, Sheriff of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. In 1990, I was a police officer with the department...well, still am to this date, just in a different assignment. I was also in the Marine Reserves whose unit was activated for Desert Storm. It was while training for this that I sustained a serious injury to my neck causing me to undergo 5 cervical opperations and making me unfit for full duty as a police officer. I began drawing and painting for mental therapy. The art has developed from being self taught to studing with local known artists in Las Vegas. My captain, at that time, is our Sheriff today. So, this portrait was my gift to him for his support to both myself and my family.

I used a reference photo but enhanced the background with the American flag and wood wall. The painting is a 20x24, oil on canvas.

[Patrick Taylor]

Here is a close-up of the face.

[Patrick Taylor]

Here is the reference photo I went from.

[Mari DeRuntz]

I like how you use the flag. It draws the eye into the picture; without it, the tie cuts an uncomfortable vertical swath through the image. Well done!

[Patrick Taylor]

Thank you Mari,

You are right about the tie. Though strong contrast is great in a painting, if it is not in the right place, it can really throw the piece off and be an eyesore. I'm also noticing, the image on screen, that the skin tone is too yellow, the original painting is not quite so yellow. Those darn digital cameras#^#^$%#@.

[John Bruso]

Hi Patrick,

It sounds like you did this painting a while back. Is that correct? Are you still painting? I think you did a great job, considering you were recovering from some major injuries. I wonder how the same portrait would turn out now, after recovering from those injuries?

I too like the addition of the flag and the wooden wall. It really adds character to the portrait. There's something about the American Flag that just stirs up all kinds of emotions in people. Great choice!

You made a great attempt at the sheriff. Since this is a portrait artist's forum, I'll try to give an objective critique. The portrait of the sheriff is stiff. If you think about it, it's kind of funny because at the time, you probably were very stiff yourself because of the injuries It makes sense that this would transfer over to your paintbrush.

When you compare the painting to the photo, I think the painting fails to capture the subtle character messages that are apparent in the photograph. For example, you said you gave him this gift because he was so nice to you and your family. So, he's a really nice guy, right? I see that in his photograph. He looks like a gentle giant. But, the painting gives the impression of a cold, war-like 4 star general.

I think many of the other artists in the forum can give you better advice on technique than I can. My immediate observation would be to look at the drawing vs. the photo. Overlap them in Photoshop and compare the differences, down to the most subtle details. Second, I think the only major problem to work out is the looseness of the style...which is probably directly tied to your injuries. Being loose is so hard. My wife struggles with this too. Painting loosely is one of those things that looks much easier than it really is.

But please don't let this get you down. You did do a great job and I hope you're still perfecting your craft. You obviously have an eye for detail and concept.

Hope that helps,
John

[Lon Haverly]

Patrick,

I have a hunch this painting looks a lot better in real life than in this post. I agree about these digital cameras. I hope to get a better one soon. Nice job, and I bet it was really appreciated. The detail in the buttons, badges, etc, reflects your care for detail and respect for the uniform. It shows how much you cared for this man.

Lon

[Patrick Taylor]

John and Lon,

Thank you for your comments and sorry for the delay in responding.

John,

Having studied psychology, I must say that you were quite insightful in noticing the correlation between the outcome of the painting and my injury/physical state. Our mental state of mind as well as our physical, quite often shows in our work. I quess this was a lesson for me in "Not bringing my personal problems to the work place." Ha! Ha!

I look now at the sheriff's characteristics and see where changes could be made. Thank you for your critique, I will keep these things in mind as I continue to paint and live with my physical ailments. Painting has been a great source of therapy for me. I can get totally involved in a piece and forget, for awhile, the pain that I am in.

Lon,

I appreciate your comments. I've been named by several fellow artist friends as "The Finisher" because I get quite detailed in my final layers. I still try to have a painterly look to my work and not get photo-realistic. But, sometimes there are those important details that you can have alot of fun with...as long as it's not overworked. Such as the badge, stars etc.

Thanks again.

I'm attaching a painting I did several years ago in Acrylic. (White Face Dancer, 16 x 20) I wanted the face and eyes to stand out so I gave the background, feathers, and hair a surreal look, which contrasted to the realism of face & eyes. His blood shot eyes shows he either danced all day in the sun or...smoked some type of hallucinogic agriculture...or both.

[Patrick Taylor]

Close up on face.