Last year, my client Aubrey came to me to create a special present for her boyfriend Vito – and she came back to me to do another commissioned painting this year! Vito is from Cirigliano, a picturesque town in Italy that Aubrey and Vito visited in the summer of 2016. To celebrate Vito’s birthday this year, Aubrey wanted to take one of the many snapshots they took on this trip and turn it into a painting to be cherished for years to come. Making this even more suiting, Vito is an art enthusiast who loved last year’s painting.
This year, Aubrey chose a photo from inside the city – with just a sliver of the rolling hills featured in last years’ painting showing in the background! Making the painting even more customized, Aubrey is featured in the picture, strolling up the narrow street appreciating the amazing old buildings.
We went with a final size of 12”x9” (making Aubrey’s portrait in this piece the smallest face I have ever painted!). Aubrey wanted to stay pretty true to the photo, with small tweaks to lighten the shadowed areas, remove the overhead wires and accentuate the carving on the door she is looking at.
As I did with the last painting, I joined Aubrey at the framer to pick out the ideal frame to complete the gift. I was first to the framing shop, and the framer actually recognized Aubrey in the painting from meeting her the year before!
Aubrey was thrilled with the painting and - better yet - so was Vito!!
Enjoy,
Jason
The original photo
The original photo, lightened
The final painting!