Polina & Mikele

Close up of finished painting

I’ve just finished this painting of a wonderful couple, based on a photo from their wedding day. During the previous lockdown, they managed to go ahead with their wedding, all be it adapted, and tied the knot in a stunning art gallery - cool right?!

So when I got the order through I was thrilled to get going but seeing as the brides face was covered, I wanted to see if I could paint her back in.

Original Wedding Photo by Kate McCarthy Photography

Armed with a good selection if photos of the bride, I set about trying to “learn” her face, features and angles before jumping into Photoshop to try and create a realistic mockup to send the couple for sign off. Once I got the position, scale and angles for my brides face working, I had to alter the lighting and colouring of her superimposed face to match those of the original photo.

Mockup of the final composition and faces

In addition to the obvious, I also dropped a shadow in the background to take a little more focus away from the bright frame around the photo behind them. I wanted to keep the light and focus on both their faces.

Polina & Mikel, 16 x 20” Oil on Wood Panel