Skip's Portraits
oil and pencil portraits from photographs and attachments
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oil portraits

titles highlighted in blue are linked to larger images


Dusty


Molly

Titles highlighted in blue are linked to larger images.

I started doing oil portraits in 1983. I had no formal training in art, and no idea of how to paint, so I began with a very detailed pencil drawing of a photograph of my sister's dog, Dusty, and when I was satisfied that I had captured him in the drawing, I started painting in the the upper left hand corner of the canvas, and worked my way down, changing colors and mixing them as I went along. Since these were gifts for my sisters, I had a deadline to meet, and the following week, I began working on Molly. I finished both portraits with enough time to have them framed and wrapped for Christmas. I think of them as very rough examples of what portrait work is all about, even though I didn't know what I was doing when I started.

Most of my portraits are simple head-and-shoulder paintings, with very little background, but lately I've been trying to create a setting for my subjects. "Brown" was my first effort in that direction, with the lake and the mountains in the background, followed by "Casper."

how to order

Most of my paintings were done as gifts for my family, but if you are interested in having a portrait done, you can e-mail or text me with the details. I can do my portraits from photographs sent by regular mail, or as e-mail attachments, or take the photos myself if you live in the NY/NJ area. For a quick response, and an idea of how much it might cost to do a portrait, you can call me at (201) 406-3933, or send a text message and photo from your cell phone. To send photos as attachments, e-mail me at skipvanlenten@fastmail.net, or send them to:

Skip Van Lenten
PO Box 23
Rochelle Park, NJ 07662

price list

Portrait Size

Head and Shoulders
1 Figure

Half or Full-Body Portrait
1 Figure

16x20

$165.00

$215.00

20x24

$215.00

$265.00

24x30

$315.00

$365.00

The prices listed here include a shipping and insurance fee of $15.00. The cost of doing more than one subject, or using a larger canvas, can be worked out by email. I work on the "honor system." I will send you the portrait when it is finished, and if you are satisfied with it, you can send me a personal check or M.O. With your permission, I would like to add a photo of the portrait to this site.

site links:

Pencil Portraits
Photographs

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skipvanlenten@fastmail.net

(201) 406-3933