When we think of sophisticated portraits hung on walls we tend to think of old mansions, sprawling estates, castles or really huge, old clubs. But this lost art is now making a comeback in a completely revamped mode.
This is the age of digital images. Technology today lets us add mind-blowing effects to a single photo and blow it up in whatever size we desire. The click of the mouse is almost like the magic wand that transforms. What place do the paint strokes of an artist have then?
“A real art lover knows the value of a painting. He will choose a portrait. The artistic effects by hand can never be replicated. Moreover, handmade portraits allow for a lot of intricate work such as gold leaf work on the inside,” says artist Kamal Sharma.
He should know. The Udaipur based artist did a one man show of portraits of Amitabh Bachchan during the shooting of Eklavya. “In my 25 years of experience, I have seen that there is surely a demand for portraiture and it is on the rise,” says Sharma.
“When you see a portrait as opposed to photographs, your eye automatically falls on the portrait. Portraits are not competing with photographs, which is an art in itself too. Both occupy different places.
However, a painting has a tantalising quality. It absorbs you in the details,” says Tripti Kedia-Gupta, Director of a company specialising in portraiture.
The good news is that unlike yesteryears you do not have to spend hours sitting still while the artist makes his master strokes. “We refer to good pictures of the client. We also use our imagination to then play around and create the portrait that our client requires,” explains Sharma.
Portrait decor
Sharma advices clients to choose the theme of their portraits based on whether they want a modern or heritage effect. “For a heritage theme we have portraits that depict the client in traditional clothes and jewellery.
That adds on to the effect,” he says. Kedia-Gupta suggests that the portrait should match the colour scheme and décor of the house. However, she says, “If tastefully arranged, portraits can be used to create contrasts too. For example, an antique look can be used in a modern house”.
Another factor is the heritage value that a portrait adds to a house. “It emotes through a story and becomes an ancestral piece, which can be passed on from one generation to another. Artwork grows on you and over time blends in well with the house,” states Kedia-Gupta.
Placement and lighting
“One golden rule for the placement of portraits is that one should be able to admire it from a distance too. It should also be in proportion to the wall size. Remember, a portrait should never be intimidating. A small simple table top portrait can be put on bedside tables. If you use classy easels to display portraits, it enhances their look, and they can be moved around as desired,” says Kedia-Gupta.
Lighting also plays a significant role in displaying portraits. “There should be no reflection on the portrait,” says Sharma. Understandably, this is important. Sharma also suggests that clients pay attention to the focus of light and how it interacts with the portrait. It could be from top or sides or indirect. However, it should enhance the appreciation of the piece.
One should care for portraits like one would care for any piece of art. “Oil and acrylic on canvas are quite long lasting” says Sharma. Kedia-Gupta advises clients never to frame portraits in glass since canvas also needs to breathe. “Just use a damp cloth to wipe off dust. Portraits will get richer with time. They last for a lifetime,” she says.
One also wonders if displaying portraits on the wall would seem narcissistic. “Not really. People blow up their pictures and put them up. Why not portraits?” asks Kedia-Gupta.
Display
It matters whether your placement is horizontal or vertical in context of where you place the portraits. A narrow vertical wall area will suit a vertical frame rather than a wide horizontal portrait.
The frame should complement the décor of the room. Think of different themes for the portraits and where you would like to place them. Family portraits at your family holiday home can be a great storehouse of memories. A wedding portrait will also be cherished for years.
Portraits can be used as great décor for parties too. For example, if you are celebrating a silver or golden wedding anniversary, your marriage portrait can become central to the décor. Who says that portraits have to be restricted to family members only? Get portraits of celebrities and famous people whose ideals you admire and respect. Be reminded of these ideals when you look at your walls daily.
Portraits make great gifting options for housewarming parties too.
Source: Times Property, The Times of India, Bangalore
The images used in the article have been sourced from gettyimages.