hand drawn portrait – J DeMaio Draws

Matting artwork

While my supply lasts I’m offering a mat for the 6 x 8” portraits at no extra cost. It’s a good time to consider giving one as a gift. A Mat not only protects the artwork from the glass, it enhances how it looks.

Wow, A whole year passed……..

Since I last wrote on this blog. I’ve just been so busy. This is just to inform that I am still working and doing some great Portraits. Here’s a sample of a recent one I particularly like because of the lighting. I was given a great photo to work from.

A holiday drawing

I composed this still life with my daughter at her house. She really wanted to use the plaid tablecloth which I knew was going to be a lot of work and sure enough, it really was. In the end I loved the challenge of drawing it and how it came out.

Using standard size paper

I like to use standard size paper because people can frame the pieces more easily then, but sometimes the photo does not fit well on the page as in the case below. I always leave a 1 inch border, but in this case, leaving an inch above, and below, left more than an inch ofContinue reading “Using standard size paper”

Backgrounds can be tricky

I don’t put them in first as many artists recommend. Here I used a paintbrush to blur the grass and walkway so my subjects would stand out. Had I drawn the background first I may not have done that, it was something that just developed.

Doodles…

I’m not talking about the kind you do with a . pencil on a pad. I’m talking, Labra, or Cocker, or Golden. For me, they are the hardest dogs to draw because of their short curly hair. I never feel like I know what I’m doing, but in the end it always somehow comes together.Continue reading “Doodles…”

Using Colored Paper

I’ve been experimenting with different colored papers and really like the results. Colors seem to really pop, especially the light ones. Not to say I don’t love a white animal on white paper though, always one of my favorites. ❤️

Selfie Supreme

When my client sent me this picture as a photo reference I was a little hesitant and suggested a composite of their three faces instead. I was wrong. (I do say this on occasion 😂) I love how it turned out, and I love how it captured a moment.

This is Andrew

He has a rare condition called 13 chromosomes depletion and was not expected to live past six months. The camera caught him at a strange angle so I faded his shoulders into the background which made the pose seem less awkward. His mother wanted to capture the joy he feels performing in Shining Stars, hisContinue reading “This is Andrew”

A lovely perk

One of the most gratifying things for me is to hear how my drawings affect my clients. I am often told they are met with tears of joy. Today I received this tribute, and would like to share it with you. Morning Janet. I had to share this with you. I sent all my brothersContinue reading “A lovely perk”