Watercolor Portraits

Watercolor on paper. 22 x 30in. In the twins series, these young women have distinct personalities that come through with this study.

Watercolor on Paper, 2018 28 x 20 Fernando Llort passed away this year. About five years ago I had the honor of arranging a visit by the artist to the United States where he held several exhibitions. Please look into his biography and work. It is rare to find such a generous and saintly artist. May he rest in peace.

©2019 Josh McCallister These two girls have been my art students for four years before their dad requested a portriat showing their relationship. I was given the freedom to capture resource images and make the composition as I liked. 18.5 x 29 in watercolor on 300 lb Fabriano cold press paper.

2011 Watercolor 14 x 11 $335 A commission of a portrait like this would be priced similarly. This man is a resident of the North Shore of Chicago.

2003 Watercolor 18 x 15 A boy who lived in a Bangkok slum. Here's another example of portraits for advocacy.

2017 11 x 14 A student I had in art class, beautiful kid

2013 Watercolor on paper 14 x 20 Portrait painting is challenging enough, but here is my first portrait of twins. I had wanted to paint these Evanston friends for the testing of my skills. Once I'd created a version of this painting they decided to commission another for their parents. My first painting was quite large, and not intended for sale. The guys agreed that I ought to do another version, this time smaller. I like to work a painting over so that all areas are developed at an equal rate. With this project I was constantly developing one area much more than the rest of the painting and then catching up.

2004 Watercolor 20 x 16 This girl lived in a home for children with disabilities. She had been discarded by her parents. I fell in love with her. Painted on watercolor canvas. She's got a halo because the least will become the greatest in the Kingdom.

2012 watercolor on paper 22 x 15 $1000 Carmyia is a friend. Painted on Arches watercolor paper - about 140lb paper. I've thought about making her portrait for a while. When she was wearing this shirt and her hair was loose she looked perfect.

2011 Acrylic on Paper 20 x 16 Portrait used in a protest against budget cuts. Downtown Chicago, November of 2011. This was the face of a puppet. The protesters were asking it questions, most often, "Where are you?"

2012 Watercolor 14 x 10 Commissioned by a California grandpa, this little guy is a neighbor of mine, and a good friend to my daughter. His name means severe, and it suits him well. I'm particularly happy with the range of colors in his skin on the shoulders and neck.

2003 Watercolor 18 x 15 $850 A girl who lives in a Bangkok slum. Some portraits are done for advocacy, and this is one of them. Fah may never have a social security number, or the Thai equivalent. I like hanging nice portraits of marginalized people.

2003 Watercolor 18 x 15 $1000 A boy who lived in a Bangkok slum. Here's another example of portraits for advocacy. Yee may have had a disability, but he was a good student. This painting is a tribute and a loving celebration of the little guy.

2010 Watercolor 12 x 9 This is a monochromatic portrait of my grandmother. She passed away on Labor Day 2011.

2013 Watercolor on paper 15 x 22 This painting was commissioned by a woman in Chicago. John passed away a few years ago and I made the painting from a few photographs. Particularly, I liked the texture on the left side.

2006 Watercolor on Canvas 78 x 32 Commissioned painting, full sized portrait on watercolor canvas. Friends in New Mexico asked me to make this piece. I would like to take more jobs like this one.

Full sized painting of a girl who lives on the Pinedale reservation in Western New Mexico

Watercolor on paper, mounted on board. 18 x 14in.

1999 30 x 22in A portrait of my father

2011 Acrylic on Paper 20 x 16 used in a protest against budget cuts. Senator Durbin did come out to the protest and give oral support siding with the needy. Good for him!

2004 Watercolor 20 x 16 This girl lived in a home for children with disabilities. She had been discarded by her parents. I fell in love with her. Painted on watercolor canvas. She's got a halo because the least will become the greatest in the Kingdom.

2012 Watercolor 14 x 10 $550 This is my second attempt at this portrait. I painted quickly and the resulting loose effect is pleasing to me. Eric can grow the thickest beard I've ever seen, and painting it was a lot of fun. Charles Reid recommends using dark areas as an opportunity to throw down brilliant color, rather than emphasizing the value contrast alone.

Just a sketch of a fine man, my wife's grandfather.

2011 Watercolor 12 x 9 The face of a friend in our community: North Shore native, Allan H. He would rather be portrayed in a happier way, but we who know him have seen this expression before. I took the resource photo myself in Evanston, Illinois, and made the watercolor portrait on hot press paper. It seems people respond to the background of this one.

Watercolor on paper 22 x 15

2013 Watercolor 15.5 x 22

201711 x 14 Commissioned portrait

2016 Watercolor on paperCommissioned portrait

11 x 14

1999 36 x 36 Oil on masonite

2013 Watercolor on paper 14 x 11 Ted is a neighbor of mine, and he wanted Minnie included in the painting. Though I'm not a big animal painter, it was fun to try capturing this scrappy little pooch. Also, Ted is involved with Center for Independent Futures, an organization I am happy to partner with from time to time.

From 2006, 14 x 18 A family in Rogers Park, Chicago