Portrait Commissions in Oil and Pastel

Mike’s passion has always been portrait painting. He is a master of oil portraits as well as pastel portraits. His portrait commissions in oil and pastel range from stately corporate portraits to children’s portraits in oil. Mike was featured in the book, 100 Ways to Paint People and Figures, published in by International Artist Magazine. Working from life is his preference but most people only have time to commission a portrait from a photo.

Unique Background

Whether you are looking for family oil portraits, portrait of a child, or custom oil portraits, Mike’s unique background compared to many portrait painters assures you of quality portraits. Because he was a portrait photographer for many years, he learned the skills necessary for effective lighting and posing to produce dramatic and charming portraits. But what he learned most of all is the distinctive quality of a professionally painted portrait compared to a photograph.

Photo or Portrait

Furthermore, since a photograph captures an image in only about 1/125th of a second it has severe limitations. Because a portrait painting is a study of a person from every angle, in a variety of moods, and accomplished over many hours, it records what the photo can not. So while the photograph captures the surface well, a painting captures the personality and character that is only revealed over time. So even when Mike does hand painted portraits from photos, he requires a multitude of photos that he takes himself or he has a qualified profession to produce.

Landscape paintings are also wonderful subjects for commissioned paintings. Many of our most precious memories are tied to special locations. As a skilled and award winning landscape painter, Mike can bring those memories to life.

Commissioned original oil paintings create family heirlooms that memorialize the people and places of your life that can last for generations.