Portrait of my son's doctor step-by-step

[Matt Sammekull]

One year ago, I became a father. On that very same day, life took a turn I couldn't possibly have imagined existing.
My son was born with a extremely rare ( 2 known cases in the world) condition, preventing his brain to grow and thus threatening his life. Each and single one of his 365 + days has been a day of worry for me and my fiancé.
But things could be worse, if it wasn't for dr. Peter Siesjö, a neurosurgeon and a lifesaving genious... - How's that for a title?
He has literally been the difference between life and death so you can imagine the gratitude we have to this man.
I talked to him in november last year, about painting his portrait as a gift to him, and he was thrilled about that idea. However, there's currently a six month waiting list to consult him for 15 minutes, so it would be a portrait strictly from photographs.

So, I thought I'd share with you the work of completing it!

STEP 1

I took some snapshots of the Doc and started sketching. Years ago I made a copy of the famous JFK portrait, and I wanted something in that manner.

[Matt Sammekull]

As always, I do my preliminary sketching on wrapping paper, in the same scale as the portrait. I used some charcoal and chalk to draw up the basics. I didn't worry too much about likeness at this stage.

My composition would be a mix of two pictures I took, so it took some extra effort to get it right.

[Matt Sammekull]

I traced the drawing by rubbing charcoal on the backside of it, placing it on my canvas and filling in the lines I wanted to use.
Then, I used some highly thinned out raw umber to complete the drawing. Now I paid much attention to the likeness and already thinking in terms of light and dark.

[Matt Sammekull]

After the drawing was complete, I covered the canvas with a wash of burnt Sienna.

[JamieWG]

Dear Matt,

I can't even imagine the anxiety you must feel every day over the health of your child. I hope this wonderful doctor continues to work his miracles!

Thank you for sharing your working of this portrait. It is fascinating! 'Love that burnt sienna wash! Is the doctor's coat done in paint now, or is that just the charcoal showing through? It's looking fabulous.

Jamie

[Matt Sammekull]

Thank you for your warm reply! It's true the endless worries sometimes gets to you. But things are looking better! Instead of going in and out of hospitals every week, we now go there every three weeks.

And that's charcoal and umber showing through the wash, the more intense lines being the umber.

And thanks Jamie, really!

//Matt

[paintedhorses]

I too hope this wonderful doctor continues to work his magic and that your son will be able to grow and be well.

This portrait will be splendid! It looks soooo good right now, and I am looking forward to more postings of your progress with it.

Jeri

[Dark_Shades]

Agree with all thats already been said

[Matt Sammekull]

Thanks to all of you who posted replies! - Much appreciated!

In this step I do the background. The doctors office is a white one, with elements of blue and gray.
I used a mixture of Lead white, Ivory black and a touch of Cobalt blue.
I used an old dried-up varnish brush to work all over the painted surface, this to create some texture I'll want later on.
This color goes real well as a complementary to skin tones.

I do wish I had taken thees pictures without the use of a flash.. but... it's too late now. I guess you'll get the point anyway.

//Matt

[Rosic]

Dear Matt,
I am new to WC and am in the process of getting to know many wonderful people. Today... you and your son are added to that special list! My heart goes out to you and the helplessness you must feel. What is your son's name? I would like to put a name with the prayers I lift up for him, you, your fiance, and the doctors.
Find peace in the moment... for it is all we truly have. I think your painting is such a great gift... not only to the doctor and to your son... but to yourself. I leave you with a quote by Goethe, "Nothing should be prized more highly than the value of each day".
God Bless you,
Rosic

[Matt Sammekull]

Your warmth and compassion really touches me. My son's name is William and if he could speak, he'd say "Thanks Rosic.. da da da"

Your post will be forever remembered.

//Matt

[Rose Queen]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Matt, William and Matt's mother}}}}}}}}}}}}}

What a lovely gesture to your son's doctor and how lucky William is to have such a sensitive and caring father!

[Matt Sammekull]

In case you're wondering, - yes, the painting is already finished.. I just choose to have some interval between the posts.

Rose Queen - Thanks! How could you be anything but caring? This little man I as we speak have in my lap know nothing about evil, horror, disbelieve, war, sorrow or malevolence. He knows only what we are all born with; trust and love. And this I will give him as long as I live.

To continue with the portrait...

I then painted a "verdaccio", the face and the hands, using lead white, Olive green and some burnt umber. For his hair I painted a mixture of Alizar Crimson, white and Cobalt blue. Again, i apologize for the bad photo.

//Matt

[Mikki Petersen]

I am humbled by your strength, faith and talent. Please God! Let this little boy continue to develop and enjoy health.

This painting is stunning. You have achieved such a dramatic portrait of a doctor who is himself compassionate and humbled by how little he can do. This is a very powerful painting and a beautiful tribute of respect and gratitude to this man.

[soap]

am very impressed with your painting and the reason for painting it...

all the best