A Complex Family Portrait

Figuring out how to incorporate over a dozen elements into one scene

Nina and Chris once commissioned me to paint their three dogs on Baker Beach in San Francisco. The couple could be portrayed as well but subtly. I should also paint a naked dude in the scene, not uncommon at Baker Beach.

When they later moved to Seattle they requested another family portrait with a longer list of items to incorporate.

-the two of them in their backyard, Nina with a mug of coffee from work, Chris holding up one of his prized pitcher plants

-Their dog Mister basking in the sun

-walking Mister in their neighborhood

-driving with Mister through the Pacific Northwest

-the front of their house with two pig sculptures

-their other pets- a chicken, goats and two rabbits

-visitors to the scene- a raccoon and an eagle

-wild mushrooms

-their garden featuring a Japanese maple, bonsai tree, English lavender, sunflowers, etc

-the greenhouse

-the Cascade mountains and lakes

-a ferry boat on the water

-a visiting blue jay

-their whimsical fish sculptures

The how of it all was up to me. That’s the fun challenge-how to create a composition that satisfies both the client and myself.

Here’s my first sketch.

Which later got refined to this approved sketch.

My next step is to zerox the sketch to its final size, 21” x 35” and begin transferring it to my surface (illustration board) with good ol’ carbon paper.

Like their initial commission this is a gouache painting. I started with the background first.

Here’s my palettes, always a bit messy.

When I work I multi-task. It’s just my nature.

Adding the last bit of details with the sunflowers.

And here’s the finished painting.

As always I appreciate your company!

Mark