Welcome to the Portrait Painting Gallery
Below are examples of the different portrait commissions Don has painted. Please click on the paintings to view larger representations.
If you are considering a portrait commission please click here to find procedures and pricing.
Portraits That Captures More Than a Likeness—They Capture a Life
From a young age, I’ve been drawn to the challenge of capturing a likeness—of studying a face and bringing it to life with brush and color. My classical training at Boston University and American University emphasized the mastery of the human figure, but even then, I knew it was never just about anatomy. It was about soul.
I remember the exact moment I found my direction. While standing in line at a grocery store, I saw Aaron Shikler’s portrait of President Ronald Reagan on the cover of a magazine. Something shifted. I knew then—this is what I was meant to do: paint portraits that honor and endure.
Since that day, portraiture has been my focus and my passion.
My goal is never just to achieve a technical likeness. I strive to uncover what lies beneath the surface—the essence of a person, their history, their quiet strength or vibrant energy. I believe a true portrait reveals the eternal.
To get there, I immerse myself in the subject’s world. I welcome stories from family, input from colleagues, and insight from those who know the subject best. These voices help shape a portrait that is not only accurate, but meaningful—something that captures a life, not just a face.
I want my portraits to inspire, to compel, to remind us of the power of a single life fully lived.
Quote Source
“You excel at pastel portraits”
Marvin S Sadik: Director Emeritus National Portrait Gallery, Washington DC
“We had such an incredible experience using Don to paint a portrait for my brother-in-law and his wife for a wedding gift. He captured every little detail from the joy on their faces to their playful demeanor in the picture. When we gifted it to them the look on their faces was priceless!!! They were so thrilled for such a meaningful piece of art that they will be able to share for many years to come. We are incredibly blessed and grateful for Don's hard work and amazing talent on this portrait. We are also incredibly impressed with the turnaround time as well. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts Don!!!”
Jason and Lisa S.
LL Bean for the LL Bean Company
Dr. John King, Former Headmaster of Hebron Academy
Elizabeth Noyes
Dr. August Valenti
Mr. Leslie Emerson: Emerson Motors
Mrs. Gardner Monks
Rev. Dr. Robert Fredrichs
Cooper
Commissioning a Portrait
Welcome to Portrait Procedures and Pricing
Thank you for considering Don to paint your next portrait.
With a deep passion for capturing the essence of individuals through portraiture, my objective extends beyond mere likeness. I strive to create a timeless work of art that will endure through generations. My extensive study of renowned masters such as Velasquez, Rembrandt, and John Singer Sargent has honed my skills and instilled in me a wealth of knowledge and experience. I am eager to share this expertise with your esteemed clientele, contributing to the creation of exceptional portraits that will resonate with audiences for years to come.
Procedures:
You may have many questions. I have attempted to address most of the frequently asked questions below. I prefer to paint portraits from life whenever feasible. However, demanding schedules and active children often make that ideal challenging. Consequently, I also work from photographs. Whenever possible, I create my own reference material. However, that is not always feasible. I can paint portraits from materials provided by clients.
Please take a moment and look at other examples of portraits in the Portrait Gallery (please click on "Portrait Gallery")
Here is the current price schedule for Portrait Paintings:
Pastel Portraits:
Head and Shoulders: $1000
Head and Hands: $2000
Full Length: $3000
Oil Portraits:
Head and Shoulders: 20x16 $2500
Head and Shoulders: (larger) 24x20 $3000
Head and Hands: (smaller) 30x24 $4000
Head and Hands: (larger) 40x30 $5000
Full Length: Size to be determined. $10,000
Pastel Paintings are executed on sanded pastel paper.
Portrait Paintings in oils are executed on linen canvas.
The prices do not include frames.
Prices are for a single image. Two figures in the painting are twice the price.
Portraits can be painted from a client's photograph.
Travel beyond a 50-mile radius requires a $.50 per mile fee
Please feel free to call or email with any questions on commissioning a portrait: 207-838-7191: don@donalddrakeart.com
