Posthumous Portrait: Jeffrey

Posthumous Portraits

Jeffrey

In this recent work, Tom employed numerous techniques to create a portrait of Jeffrey for his mother after her son died in a motorcycle accident. After pouring over boxes of photos and talking with her at length, he came up with a concept and design. He based the head primarily on one small photo taken during a family vacation but then painted him a bit older so he would appear closer to how he looked at the end of his life. Numerous charcoal sketches and oil studies were done to determine the size, scale and colors for the painting.

After clothing was selected Tom again employed manikins while he studied the light and view of the family back yard. Tom included Jeffrey's dog, soccer ball and a view of the river behind the house.

This photo served as the beginning reference for painting the head. Tom then made Jeffrey appear a bit older.

Above are six different oil studies that Tom made before finishing the final canvas.

Note in the picture below that the pants have been made baggier than Tom initially painted them after a suggestion from Jeffrey's brother Steven.

Tom painted in the yard where Jeffrey spent a lot of time while growing up. The easel on the left is a French half box and the other is called a 'pochade' box.

Note in the charcoal sketch above Tom has not yet determined the position of the dog or the boat or how close to make the dock and tree appear.


Jeffrey
Oil on Linen 48 x 44 inches
Private Collection
Atlanta, Georgia

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