RICHARD JAMES COOK

The process and what to expect
photograph
charcoal
portrait

The first meeting: This first meeting is primarily to get to know the client and inform them of my working procedure as well as gain an understanding of their goals for their portrait. Clients goals are rarely the same. Reaching goals comes with giving a clear idea of the range of possibilities. The portfolio helps start this creative decision making process. Whether a client is looking for something formal or informal, indoor or outdoor a decision is gradually made. I try to encourage that the portrait can include something that is personal or special even as far as the location of the sitting. We discuss appropriate clothing at this time so there is opportunity to have time to have this work before the sitting.

Sitting: This takes the form of a photo session which takes an hour or two (based on one subject). This session is to coach the best out of the sitter (British humor usually works with adults and children). The photography will provide the tools to start the creative process.

Charcoals: Two or three charcoals are then made from the best compositions shot at the photo sitting and these are done life size. Often at this stage the client is unclear how large the portrait should be and this is why various cropping options are drawn onto the charcoal.

Going to canvas: When the client has had opportunity to evaluate the charcoals and photography leadership is provided to evaluate which face close-ups work best and which composition has merit over another. Once the client is happy to make a decision we proceed to canvas.

Technique and Client input: The portrait is usually viewed once the canvas has its first application of paint which is initially applied with a pallet knife to get an even thickness. The portrait will often be emailed for this critique or seen in person. Opportunity is provided to enable client involvement. Any comments are welcome and such comments can shape the outcome of the portrait. The portrait is then gradually completed.

Framing: A wide range of gilt frames are available from the artist. Clients are encouraged to frame the portrait appropriately even if they wish to use their own framer.

American portrait artist and official, family or children painter by commission in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Washington DC, Delaware, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Richard James Cook painter and artist paints prominent people both in America and Canada. While official portrait painting contributes to becoming respected in his field, Cook as a portrait artist and painter equally enjoys family portrait commissions and children portrait commissions. Cook's museum quality fine art commissioned portraiture at its essence is said to capture the subject's inner spirit. Cook is regarded a realist, he is an artist and painter with impressionist influence.
      American portrait artist and painter Richard James Cook has commissions of president portraits, C. E. O. portraits, lawyer portraits, college dean portraits, bishop portraits and military portraits.
      As a Member of The Portrait Society of America and The Portrait Institute, Cook is considered a portrait artist and painter of renown. Clients liken his light and color oil portraits to John Singer Sargent, a master artist and painter with a stroke of genius. Whether a luxury portrait painting is for prestige or for posterity, child or president, Cook's commitment to uncompromising quality is evident in his art. Often pets and animals will appear in Cook's portrait paintings.
      Before Cook became an American portrait artist he spent a short time as a wildlife painter. Cook's art career began with being accepted at Cambridge College of Art in 1973 but he opted for a college with a more commercial art application. He graduated in 1976. Cook is known as an artist and portrait painter in Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and Canada. He has been a painter and professional portrait artist for 20 years and has been represented as a portrait artist by brokers and galleries specializing in portrait artists in both Boston Massachusetts and Toronto Canada.