The Reformed Theology Seminary in 
Orlando contacted me. They wanted me to make an oil portrait of a man to honor their chief benefactor. Before starting my painting I set out to learn a bit about him. What I found on the internet was an amazing person who doesn’t want the spotlight on himself. But of course he knew the value in a donor’s portrait being on display to serve as an inspiration to others who might also be able to fund a good cause. It must also be rewarding for the institution to be able to show thanks in a visible way. And it is aesthetic!
It’s so hard not to say something about him myself. He’s such a good role model. I think you will agree. I’ll give you just a summary account (to show you how he unknowingly influenced me in the painting of my custom oil portrait).
Finding His Niche in Life
When he was a boy, he was allowed to work and feel proud of his production. He had the opportunity to develop a sense of exchange with the community. That would bolster one’s confidence and feeling of worth. Thus he began honing his business skills at an early age. He finished his education by graduating from Harvard with a degree in Business Administration. Then he consistently expanded the inventory and profits of the companies that he worked for. As his own income rose, he found his niche.
“It’s a very rewarding thing,” he said. “The secret of giving is that the giver gets more out of it. They just get money, but you get satisfaction knowing you helped someone.”
Using His Skills
He approached philanthropy from a business point of view by joining boards of worthy organizations. He could see how they functioned and what they needed. Beginning first with local educational institutions and then community foundations, he got to know the people involved and which ones could be counted on.
“Delegation, try and find the smartest people and let them do what they think should be done,“ he said. “I don’t pretend to be an expert in their fields. I know they know more than I do. … I am good at analyzing the work of other people, finding holes and then strengthening it.”
A Religious Man
Being a man of faith, he joined the 
Board of Trustees of the Reformed Technology Seminary in 1998. Later he joined their Executive Committee. His intention was to support his church to be better able to help mankind and play a significant role in its expansion. He helped start up other campuses and create long-term strategic planning for the future. From the RTS website:
“In recognition of his significant generosity and faithful service, RTS named the Orland campus ‘The Lucas Campus,’ and honored David’s ministry at RTS with a special chapel and naming ceremony on October 24th, 2018.”
A Spiritual Man
Doesn’t it make you feel good to read about him? For me it is calming to know that he exists. When I say he is spiritual, I mean he puts his attention on the spiritual side of living life. He is organized and knowledgeable with great ideas to help mankind, and he is doing something about them. He is not mired into having a false personality and doesn’t try to “keep up with the Jones.” He doesn’t prioritize his life for his possessions. He’s not mixed up with his goal of making a more efficient and rewarding environment. These are all spiritual qualities. He is a strong person and shares his strength with others to help them achieve their goals. He is making this a better, safer world.
So that’s who I was privileged to learn about and portray in my oil portrait of a man!
My Purpose in Painting
I hope you won’t mind if I notice a small thread that connects us. He inspires through his actions and makes life better for so many people in so many ways. On the other hand, I paint with the purpose of inspiring. I show the best in my subject to set an example so that viewers see how great they can be. Gazing at my portraits makes them feel good. When they continue their day they make better decisions and treat others better. This causes a ripple effect of good feelings and better decisions all around. Art can have that effect. I’m proud to be on the creating end of that. (My remarkable cousin Norman Rockwell did that too, didn’t he?)
You can see now why I couldn’t resist telling you about him! He raised my spirits!
The Reference Photo Was One of His Favorites
When I was preparing to paint, I was emailed a favorite photo of his to use as my reference. I contacted the photographer to get his copyright okay that I could paint from his shot. Photographers are always agreeable to give that, but it needs to be asked. They deserve it too. Then I had a few prints made from that digital file. Since the digital image was somewhat dark, I had lighter versions made of it. That way I could see more details—in the jacket, for example. Also I communicated with my contact person at RTS, Mrs. Leigh Swanson, VP of Community Relations, to ask about the shade of his skin which, as I suspected, was lighter than the original digital file showed.
While this was going on, Leigh made measurements of where they intended to hang it. We figured out the size I should make the oil portrait while still allowing room for a 4-5 inch frame.
Oil Portrait of a Man: Painting Procedure
After all that was totally settled, I started my painting in my usual way. Looking at the reference photo, I drew it out onto my canvas. Then I sketched it with brown washes of paint only, establishing the darker areas first. That immediately gives you a 3-dimensional look. Then you can check how it fits on the canvas.
Fox News clip on JR’s painting procedure
At this stage you can make adjustments. As I added thicker brown paint, I also started to use white paint as well for the lights. Once the composition created a 3-dimensional effect and looked good, I was ready for color.
That too starts with washes, then thin coats, then thicker and thicker. Because I like my skin tones to have a translucent quality to them, I made them lighter to begin with. That way, I can add “glazes,” i.e., transparent coats of color, each slightly different. I never paint just a single flat transparent coat though. It too is built up, darker areas first and leaving the lighter areas with less paint. All the way through, to some extent, the whole painting has to be worked together, so I rotate around.
Art Is Correcting
Art can involve putting something down and then correcting it and correcting and correcting. It’s not unusual when someone says they can’t draw a straight line. Very few people can. But you can put something down, look at it, and then correct, correct, correct it. Oil paint is very forgiving that way too. You can move it around because it stays wet. When you are done for the day, you just have to let each part dry one or two days before continuing.
As I painted I realized that although the background in the photo had a very flat single color, I really wanted to spice it up. The photo looked great, but I wanted something else for the painting. Because it was one of the subject’s favorite photos, I checked with Leigh to get her opinion as to if I could embellish it. She thought it was fine and a great idea.
Finishing the Portrait
After so many weeks I was very
pleased and therefore done with my very special “oil portrait of a man.” I never pass on a painting that I don’t love myself. My joy comes from expressing what I love and making others happy at the same time. Over the years I have painted only one correction that I thought lessened the impact of the portrait, but I was happy to do that because in the end it is the client’s portrait. Also I still have the digital photograph of my original painting and I use that one in my portfolio. Everybody still wins!
I emailed Leigh that I had finished. She sent her co-worker, Savannah Liebegott, Communication and Development Coordinator, to pick it up. Orlando is only an hour and a half away from Clearwater. When your first look at an oil portrait can be from the original painting, it has it own excitement. Savannah thought it was amazing. Then Leigh saw it. She wrote me how thrilled she was too. When they had the ceremony to thank and honor this wonderful man, they unveiled the portrait as well. Leigh wrote me: “He loved the painting! Our campus naming celebration was a wonderful success.”
Let’s make some more people feel good, okay? Call me and let’s plan the oil portrait(s) that I will paint for you!
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