The abstract artist, Wendy McWilliams and her husband Jim,

from Texas in the USA, were looking for something special to celebrate their first wedding anniversary.

They both settled on a painted portrait as they agreed they wanted something they could display in their new home that would have lasting sentimental value.

Our initial conversations were conducted through various email and social media messages while we discussed the various options on medium, size and shape and then selection of a suitable reference photograph for me to work from.

After much deliberation, we settled on the above reference photo as we felt this one best reflected their commitment and intimacy as well as their deep friendship.

We decided on a flat rich blue colour for the background to compliment the warm orange tones of the skin, hair, and clothing and to also enhance the colour of the eyes and unify the composition.

This also had the effect of lending a trendy 'insta' ready feel by way of marrying the idea of the 'throwaway' phone snapshot with the nuanced feel of an obvious painted image which we felt worked to good effect.

It was also important to the couple that the finished work captured the essence of their relationship whilst showing who they are as individuals in their time of life without straying too far into the polished idealised imagery often portrayed on social media.

With this in mind, I was careful to remain as faithful as possible in the portrayal of the natural laughter lines around the eyes whilst also taking care to ensure the brushwork was still evident, particularly in the hair and the rendering of the skin tones.

Below is a comparison image showing the reference photo and the finished work side by side.