Michael Dretzka | Portraits

process

Evoking a sense of quiet drama, his work captures a specific moment in time reflective of the personality of each individual. Michael uses his own photography as a reference for each portrait in an effort to control the lighting, pose and composition of the portrait while maintaining the integrity of his own vision as an artist. It is during these photo sessions that Michael seeks to capture the intangible qualities of the sitter as a point of departure for the final portrait.

Drawings are executed using black pastel on archival paper and typically range in size from 22” x 30” to 38” x 50”. They may also be commissioned at a custom scale that best accommodates the desires of the client.

Portraits can usually be completed within two months.

Posthumous portraits may be completed if suitable photographic references are available.