Oil portrait sketches

Custom oil portrait sketches available. These are based on a digital photo reference, painted on canvas. Size: A4. Please contact for orders.

Double portraits and pricing

My latest commissions were 2 double portraits - beautiful twins (from the previous post) and a stunning couple.

People often ask why is the double portrait so much more expensive than a single, even though it is the same or similar size.  Double (and multiple) portraits more challenging than singles. Yes, I would not be using much more canvas and paint for double portrait compared to single, but...

- I still need to paint another portrait that would take me the same time as the single- so doubled time and attention.
- in the double the portrait is a bit smaller and its harder to get the details in it to achieve likeliness;
- the colors need to match. With that I mean that colors should not only be life like for one person, but also if looked between two people. For example in the couple portrait, it was easier to choose the colors as the skin tones are fairly distinct.
- if the portrait is combined from a different photos / positions, it involves extra planning to make the portrait look natural.

All in all, this was a fabulous commission. I am happy with the result, so are the clients :)

PS. Both portraits are oil on 14x18 inch stretched canvas.

Hand painted post cards

A few months ago I went to my favorite art shop (PNA in South Africa, they are specially good in Somerset West/ Strand area) and came across watercolor postcards- they are blank postcards that can be customized according to ones wishes.  I thought its such a cool idea. So here are some of mine:

They all are size A6. I find painting these fun as they are small and quick- well, compared to what I am used to. All are painted with acrylic, but i do think of giving an oil paint a try too. The only worry is if the oil is going to seep through the paper?

Now I need to figure out what to do with these postcards- cos at the rate I am going I will soon have a full house with these. I was thinking of maybe offering to do these for charity- in that case everyone benefits- charity with earning some bucks, me distributing my work. I think that's a great idea, what do you think?

"Sun kissed" portrait

Very often my biggest problem is choosing the subject to paint. especially if it is oil and on canvas - for some reason oil on canvas feels so much more serious. In fact acrylic is often a more durable medium.

So, one day I was browsing through Facebook, just like we all do, and I saw this photo of my friend. Oh, my- what an amazing photo! With her permission I am posting the portrait painting of her based on that photo. I know she is not a fan of yellow, but for some reason, yellow felt like the right color for it:)

Oil painting time lapse portrait

My laptop is not doing so well lately and I have been using my phone to check the reference photo when painting, which is not ideal- the screen is tiny and I need to keep unlocking the phone all the time.

But then I decided to attempt a time lapse / speed painting video:

Here is the finished painting. SOLD.

2018 paintings

The 2018 has started slow for me. Since I did the tourist guiding course in October and been guiding here in Cape Town, there was not much time for painting. Oh, we also did major renovations in the house and painting and dust don't co exist very well.

Brushes and paint tubes were finally dusted off (literally!) in March, 2018.

Here are the results since then:
All of them are 30x40cm oil paintings on canvas grain paper.

RAW by R.Grizane
SOLD

LITTLE APPLE

UNTITLED
SOLD

PINK DREAM by R.Grizane

BE SELF
SOLD

INNOCENCE

Have an awesome time painting!!!

Inspired by Game of Thrones

The new season of the cult series just started. I can't say that I am a huge fan of Game of Thrones, but I do glance at the screen now and then, when GOT is on. Look, I even used the abbreviation  like a pro :D

One of my biggest challenges in painting is to choose a subject. That probably is the reason why I like doing commission work ;) - the subject is provided beforehand!

Alla prima painting of Khaleesi.
16 x 16 cm
Oil on canvas.

You might notice that this portrait is some what similar to the one in the previous post. First- it's the same size and second - I used the same color palette. This size is very unusual for me actually, but I am enjoying it- as painting can be finished in one session within 3h.

Here is a time lapse video of first part of the painting process: https://youtu.be/hZrAQRxVZbA

Horse & human portrait

I am happy to announce that another of my paintings is making his owner happy. This was commissioned by Daiga as a birthday gift for a friend. Since then I have received a email from the birthday girl with loads of happy emotions:)

Oil on canvas board, 12x16 inch

Colorful dog portraits in Cape Town

I was contacted by Michelle to do commission paintings of her beautiful dogs. Since I love painting any living being, of course I agreed:)

These are the pictures that were sent to me.

Initially we were thinking of ding the portraits in mild colors using mostly, white, grey, blue, brown. And this is what it looked like:

Although I loved this look and had tremendous fun painting these boys. Michelle sent me this picture and asked if I could make the portraits look like this, since she loves everything of this painting:

I will admit that it was very hard for me to actually change the look of the paintings- as I really loved it. The next challenge was to understand how to get the feel that comes out of this painting. I tried different brushes and palette knife- but it just did not work. And then it stroked me - I had to use my fingers!!! It was a extremely messy stile for me, but extremely fun too:)

And here is the result!

We are very pleased with the result:) Happy ending!

The portraits are acrylic on canvas, 56 x 71cm each.

Cheers, Ritma

what is she thinking?

I had so much fun painting this fresh portrait. Oil on canvas.

I love this portrait a lot! this is none of the unclaimed portraits that was ordered from overseas. It was posted to Europe and sent back as it was not collected from the post office. It cost me some money, since I never took deposit on it. Since then I am always asking for deposit on the commission work.

Portrait artist in Cape Town - whats new

Hi!

Wow, it has been quite a bit of time since my last entry in this blog. I have since taken permanent employment position that implies 8 hours working days and leaves much less "painting time" than I would like to have and what I was used to. My bank account however feels a bit better :P


We also have moved to Milnerton as we bought a property here- loads of work!


I do still paint though:)

kids portraits, Cape Town

Sweet couple portrait

Its been busy! I have not painted much, but here is one of my favorite works so far:)

This is a sweet, young couple that we are friends with. He ordered it as a first wedding anniversary gift for her:).

Happy paintings for cancer support

This is a follow up project from "Horse painting for cancer support" - I would like to have it as an ongoing project. Don't You think that would be awesome!

The paintings that can be seen on this page are the ones, that are available for purchase through the project. From every sold painting I would donate 50% of sales price to CANSA - The Cancer Association of South Africa (http://www.cansa.org.za/).

Why cancer support?

Since my family has been battling the cancer, I hear more and more people fighting or fought cancer- everyone knows someone that has cancer!? This clearly is a big issue in today- if we work together we can make a difference. Donating to cancer cause is my choice, if You would like to donate from a purchased painting to a different charity, please let me know :) I donate through http://www.givengain.com/. Info on previous project & donations.

Why call these "Happy paintings"? 

1. Painting them made me happy,

2. they hopefully will make the person purchasing the painting happy and

3. the donated funds will make whole lot of people dealing with cancer happier

Just thought its a nice reason to call them "happy paintings":)

LET'S SHARE THE HAPPINESS AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!

• All paintings are fully hand painted in acrylic or oil on canvas;
• All prices are provisional and negotiable. Provisional price can be seen below the painting, 50% of the paid price will be donated. Price excludes shipping and delivery costs. 
• If You would like to buy a painting or have any questions, please contact me on email or phone. 

Large horse 3,
Acrylic boxed canvas, 91x76cm,
R3000

Bob Marley
Acrylic on stretched canvas, 100x80cm
R2000 

Happy
Acrylic on boxed canvas, 91x76cm
R2000

White horse
Oil on canvas board, 40x50cm
R700

Angel
Oil on canvas board, 50x40cm
R800

Baby girl
Oil on canvas, A3
R700

Profile
Oil on canvas board, A3
R500

Little girl
Acrylic on canvas, A3
R300 

Arabian
Acrylic on canvas, 60x50cm, framed in white frame
R700

2nd Give away painting went home

This is a very special painting for my amazing friends mom. I have never met her mom, but she definitely must be the most amazing woman to have such an amazing daughter. The whole family is in fact AMAZING - the things they do for others are unbelievable! Unfortunately, mom has been going through some rough time in life and we really hope that this painting will bring some more smiles to her and families life!:) 

Cousins/ grandchildren, oil on canvas

More info on the Give away project: http://ritmart.blogspot.com/2014/03/painting-give-away.html

This painting is bigger than the other give away paintings. My friend send me a few photos of the kids and I just thought that I'm not going to leave any of the children out of the portrait- so had to increase the size of the painting to accommodate their beautiful smiles:) 

The baby was a little challenge, as she was not smiling in the photos- and I had to guess the muscle movements etc. Happy to report, that family confirms the smile to be correct :)

SMILE!!!

Your day will go the way the corners of your mouth turn:)

1st give away portrait painting

Heiya!!!

Here we go! the first give away portrait is done. I'm so excited and eager to see what the reaction of the receiver will be... I really hope she likes it. I titled this painting "In moms arms":)

oil portrait, A3

The portrait will be a surprise gift from an amazing friend to the receiver. I have never met or spoken to the people in this portrait... I hope that this post is not going to spoil the surprise... well, what are the chances that someone that knows the person in the picture accidentally stumbles upon my blog? In case it actually happens, please let me know:)))
 
 Read more about give-away project: http://ritmart.blogspot.com/2014/03/painting-give-away.html

To order a portrait, please visit www.portraitartist.com for more info:)

Demo at La Diva Sallon, Friday 28 Feb

We had another fun demo session at La Diva hair salon in Strand (South Africa) last Friday 28th February, 2014.

Don't get mislead, Lana is a great hairdresser:)

Posing for a portrait demo session :P

Two work stations side by side

Tristan, oil portrait

Feel free to join the fun next Friday! :)

Demo portrait painting Feb, 2014

On Friday 21st February, we had a brilliant demo session. Thank You Svetlana for opening the doors of your hair salon to the art!:)

Creating a portrait

 How is a portrait created:

Voila!

This portrait is painted using acrylic paint.