Portrait Styles
Dorian is a classically trained artist with a wide artistic range. His portraiture technique can be expressive and impressionistic or realistic, depending on the subject and desired result.
Pencil Drawn Portraits
Hand drawn pencil portraits are looser and more expressive in nature when done from life during a studio sitting.
Charcoal Drawn Portraits
Hand drawn charcoal portraits offer a more finished quality than a pencil portrait.
Oil Painting Portrait Sketch
The quick nature of the process in creating these portraits creates an expressive oil painted portrait.
Traditional Oil Painting Portraits
Oil painting portraits are hand painted in a traditional realistic style. These portraits offer a fully custom finished painting.
The Portrait Process
Portraits can be drawn or painted from photos, life, or a combination of both. Depending on the type of portrait and availability of the model, a decision is made as to whether the portrait will be done from life or photos. A smaller portrait sketch from life can take as little a 30 minutes.
For larger traditional oil painted portraits, a photo session is scheduled and a decision made regarding which photo to use, before work on the final portrait. After the portrait is finished, an email is sent for review and approval prior to shipping.
Testimonials
"Honestly don't what to say...you're from another planet altogether, Dorian. They're all perfect my friend. She is going to love them. I believe this will be a bit overwhelming to her; Her husband left her 10 years ago - like a Bruce Springsteen song - 'went out for a ride and never came back'. She raised those kids, by and large, alone. They are her world, and she is theirs. They have all become deeply entrenched in mine and I love the lot of them. THIS is why I love your Art. It is soulful, rich, unique, and helps me in my desire to move what's inside, to the surface. Every piece you have created for me, was born from love - my love for the subject. Your creation is an extension of that love. Thank you."
"The drawings of Anna and Amelie just arrived. I absolutely love them. You have captured them perfectly. Thank you so much!!"
"Truly magic! I LOVE them!!!"
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS A SITTING SESSION?
If you choose to have your fine art or portrait commission done from life, then the subject would need to do a sitting session either at the studio or at a location of your choosing. During this session. Depending on the type of portrait, the subject is guided through a series of warm-up poses of approximately 5-10 minutes, in search of a pose for the final piece. When working on the finished art, the remaining session is comprised of 20 minute poses with 5 minute breaks in between.
DO I HAVE TO COME TO YOUR STUDIO?
Sitting sessions can be done at the studio, or I can travel to the location of your choosing for a pre-discussed fee. Travel fees are based on estimated travel expenses.
DO YOU NUDE PORTRAITS?
Yes, nude portraits can be commissioned. Contact me for more information.
DO YOU WORK FROM PHOTOGRAPHS?
Yes, while working from life is preferred (and discounted). Portraits can be created entirely from photographs.
WHAT MEDIUMS DO YOU WORK IN?
A variety of mediums are used, which include pencil, charcoal, sepia, mixed media and traditional oil paints.
HOW MUCH DOES A PORTRAIT COST?
Portrait cost depends on the size of the piece, the number of figures in the portrait, medium, material, and method. In general, pencil portraits start at $200, charcoal portraits start at $1,000, oil painted sketches start at $2,000, and traditional oil portraits start at $11,000.
WHAT IS AN OIL PAINTING SKETCH?
Oil painting portrait sketches are unique in that they are done from a live sitting entirely in one sitting session.
HOW LONG DOES A PORTRAIT TAKE?
The time spent on a portrait depends on the size, the number of figures in the portrait, medium, and method. Small pencil portraits from life can take as little as 30 minutes to complete, charcoal portraits from life take about 2 hours to complete, oil painting portrait sketches take about 3 hours to complete, and traditional oil painting portraits take about 4-6 months after the reference photos are approved.
About the Portrait Artist
Dorian Vallejo is a classically trained artist, who has been drawing the figure since he was 14. As an artist, he has devoted his life to the craft of drawing and painting the human figure—beginning his career while he was still an art student. While Dorian draws many portraits from photos on request, his ability to consistently draw realistically from life, where variables change, reveals the true depth of his skill as a portrait artist.
Commission a Portrait
