Black and White Portrait Style

by Gretchen Kirstel

These two original portraits are examples of fine oil on canvas in black, white, and shades of gray.  They were completed in Gretchen's studio in Colorado Springs.  The first portrait, "Dancing in Indigo" is painted with black, white and gray mixed with various shades of maroon.  It was painted in 2009 on a 16" X 20" canvas.  The artist, Gretchen, used the evening colors to accentuate the romantic bond between the couple.  "Snowmates", is a portrait of a child with her dog in the snow.  It was completed in 2009 and is on a canvas of 12" X 12".  Gretchen again used black and white and shades of maroon, but this time to set the friends in a scene of a blanket of snow.  These portraits were done from digital photos.  Gretchen can use the black and white technique to complete a portrait of you or your family, and will change the shades of gray to one you desire; for example shades of blue, purple, green, orange, etc. can be blended with the gray to create the colors you would like in the picture.  To have a wonderful portrait done like these shown, please contact Gretchen on the Email Gretchen tab.   T