Douglas…

This portrait is of my brother Douglas who lives in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada…He’s always been hugely supportive of my painting and he suggested I paint his portrait. I asked him to email me a photograph (I usually prefer to start a painting from life) and I said I’d give it a go. He sent me one immediately which he took on his PC…a strange angle, weird lighting and to be honest, not the most flattering of photos…he’s much better looking in real life! Anyway, this is the result.

It was quite a strange experience painting it! In my family there are three brothers and me, the last child. As I was checking out the photo, painting, checking out the photo, different members of my family appeared! My mother, father and each of my other brothers…it was quite unnerving. I’d say that this painting is in a more abstract style than, for example, the painting of Louise. It reflects back something of him but I was kind of wary of sending the image. I was happy when he messaged back and thanked me for the portrait and seemed to be happy with it. It doesn’t really capture him overall, but it kind of gets something…