Family portrait artists: Sonia Hale’s children’s portrait commission of Brooke.
Oil portrait on Belgium linen
33″ x 22″
Finalist 2010, Portrait Society of Atlanta competition
Portrait hangs in Greenwich, Connecticut Portrait Artist Sonia Hale
Being a family portrait painter has been one of the nicest aspects to my portrait commission work. I enjoy working with families to bring out the very best in their children and in portrait paintings of themselves. Brooke was a delightful young child with a quiet spunk and we spent time reviewing her wardrobe choices. We felt that this dress worked best as it enhanced her natural coloring and had a lovely flow to it, but all had some detail. I enjoyed working with her to get a range of photos to select from and in addition did a few small sketches to record her coloring and lovely features.
Family portrait artists need to listen closely to the parent’s wishes for the portrait commission. I often take notes of what small adjustments a mother might like to the reference photograph we have chosen. My goal is always the same for all my portrait subjects, small and tall. I seek to bring out the very best of each person and I seek to show their character. A hand-painted classic child portrait painting is a heirloom item which lives on in homes for generations.
