To contact the Artist
Telephone: 619-206-3198
E-mail: brendahelps@thepaintspotportraits.com
or click here          to go to Contact page
childs oil portrait
Physical Likeness & Character Make a Good Portrait


We have all gotten lucky at one time or another and have had a photograph we
have taken come out extraordinarily beautiful.  We have also had many more
that were unmentionable.  A good portrait will contain at least one element that
reveals the subjects personality, attitude, unique mannerisms, special markings
in the case of an animal or any other features or traits that form the individual
nature of the subject.  To do this you must feature a common ground in the
picture with the subjects mannerisms, interests etc., and show the subject
relaxed in most cases ( I have seen  portraits of horses in a raring up position
that are very beautiful though unrelaxed, but this is one of the exceptions).
I love to capture children's pictures when they are not aware the camera in on them.  They tend to go right into
a posing mode as soon as they see the camera and very often lose the spontaneity we love to see in their
portraits.  To see a toddler climbing into a wagon, a little girl playing dress up or a child with a pet and not be
aware of a photo being taken can be an awesome candid photograph for a portrait. Don't hesitate to take lots
of pictures even though you may feel you have already captured the shot you want.  We are often surprised
how different certain shots look once they are printed or cropped. Children's Portrait Paintings capture all the
loving memories in the era of which they were painted.  

Adult Portraits are often more dramatic when the subject is looking directly at the camera, whether formal or
casual in dress or pose.  Lighting plays an important role also.  An in-studio photographic portrait most often
lacks shadows while  for the painted portrait it is important for the painting to have contrasts to create the 3D
effect we want to make the portrait realistic. Whether you choose a posed or candid picture to have a portrait
painted, try to choose the one that best shows a good likeness of and the character of the subject.  The
traditional portrait painting is without a smile on the subjects face, however this is a personal choice.

For me pet portrait photographs have been the most difficult to capture all that I strive for in photos.  It seems
I need to take at least twice as many pictures as I do for People Portraits.  I guess it is because they are not as
cooperative during a shoot.  If you are considering a pet portrait painting, I would suggest you keep your
camera handy and take pictures often until you find the one that best represents your pet.

Try to stay on the same level as your subject or sometimes even being a bit lower than your subject can
dramatize and best show off the event you are trying to capture,(see "The 30 Second Run" or " Cowboy Up",
in The Adult Portrait Gallery).  I would love to create a portrait painting for you.
Brenda Helps

Portraits