Traditional
Portrait Painting
keeping a dying craft alive
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With techniques used by the old masters for centuries
S. Christine Brink creates authentic Traditional Oil Paintings
which capture the subject's personality
with a luminescent depth and expressive details.
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*Services are temporarily only available to the Burnie, Tasmania area.
Apologies for any inconvenience. Please reach out with any questions.
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Portraits for All Occasions
Professional Portraits
Personal & Milestone Portraits
Family Portraits
Wedding Portraits
Memorial Portraits
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Tailored Styles
Choose from:
Classical Portrait Style, Refined Details, Expressive Brushwork,
Contemporary Aesthetics, Unique Requests, or a Blend of Everything
Select a style that is as unique as the individual.
S. Christine Brink's portraits are painted using a centuries-old glazing technique, allowing for luminous details. Keeping with tradition, Classic Portraits of the sitter have a timeless formal look, great for professionals. If something more contemporary is desired, this traditional technique can be tailored to incorporate areas of expressive brushwork to give texture and energy. Modern colour palettes and different design elements can also be selected to achieve this. For something different other unique styles and requests can be taken on. To discuss your Traditional Oil Portrait Painting, or for more information, contact S. Christine Brink.
classic
portraits
refined
details
contemporary
aesthetic
expressive
brushwork
unique
requests
The Process
The oil painting process mirrors techniques used by the old masters such as Rembrandt, Gentileschi, and Vameer. The method uses glazed layers of oil paint to create a unique life-like luminous effect, which lends to the photo-esque realism of the painting. This realism can be paired with expressive brushwork as desired to create a unique portrait only achievable through traditional methods.
Each Oil Portrait is painted with careful craftsmanship in each brush stroke, to bring the subject's character and personality to life. Keep reading to learn more about this technique and commissioning a Traditional Portrait Painting with S. Christine Brink.
The process begins with a photograph.
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Select the photograph (or photographs) you would like to be the source material of your oil painting.
Generally, pictures can be composited together, omit details, and add elements to create a desired end result. Portrait paintings can be of a single person or of a few. It is advised to, use high-resolution images (300 DPI or higher) for best results.
This image will be an integral part of the process. Artists such as Rembrandt are believed to use early lenses and projections to create their paintings. This projection was cast onto the canvas and the general forms were outlined. These days, we can use photographs and digital projectors to mimic this process with much more accuracy and without subjects required to sit for hours.
Request a Consultation, and ​I will contact you as soon as possible about your project. We can discuss your vision for the portrait (size, style, cost, and time frame for the project).
I will provide a quote based on the project's scope. When the quote is accepted and the contract process is complete, work will begin on your
Traditional Oil Portrait Painting!​
Through the projection & drawing stage, I can keep you updated on the progress. I welcome you to provide any feedback during this stage. Once the drawing stage is complete a digital draft will be sent via email for your approval.
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Your image will be projected onto a primed panel board, and details outlined. ​I will reference the photo to create a highly detailed drawing in charcoal. This will establish the details and shadows of the painting.
Again, through the Graisaille stage, you will be kept up-to-date on the progress, and a review draft will be sent for your approval when this stage is completed.
This stage is a monochromatic layer that establishes the highlights and mid-tones of the painting.
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A solid wash of colour is brushed on, setting the mid-tone. This colour can be a range of pigments, depending on the image or desired effect. Traditionally, earth tones, such as raw umber, were used. Contemporary artists play with this technique using rich blues, vibrant magentas, and many other colours.
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To create the highlights, thin transparent layers of white are applied. This was traditionally done in lead white paint—named for the lead it contained. Today, synthetics are available, though some artists still use the traditional lead white.​​​
Updates will be given through the glazing stage and feedback is always welcomed.
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This is a detailed process of applying thin coats of oil paint. These layers allow light to travel through the painting, creating a luminous effect. The lights, mediums and darks of the grisaille painting show through, and colour tones are established.
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The oil paint is combined with a specially formulated medium, which safely thins the paint to be transparent. Though this binder aids the oil paints in drying quicker, this process can take time and can't be rushed. This seemingly tedious process gives paintings their signature look and depth.
When the finishing touches have been made, a final digital review draft will be emailed for your approval.
Once approved and the final payment has been made, your one-of-a-kind Traditional Oil Portrait Painting will be available to pick up. ​
