Interview with Jared Ailstock: How This Artist Creates His Portrait Paintings

New York City NY

02 June, 2022

9:20 AM

Description

Jared Ailstock is a portrait painter from New York. As with most artists, his interest in art developed at an early age. With time, Jared’s interest in painting intensified. He began taking classes and reading books on the subject of portraiture. At the end of high school, he enrolled in the CUNY to study Fine Arts with a focus on photography and painting. It wasn’t until Jared took a break from school that he found his true passion: Painting people. In this interview, you can learn more about what inspires this artist and the techniques he uses to create his paintings. What Inspires Jared Ailstock? Jared Ailstock: “As a person who expresses himself using a visual language, I am inspired by everything visual. Whether it be a photo, painting, or a video, inspiration can come from anywhere. It’s important for artists to be constantly inspired. It’s what keeps us motivated and excited about what we do”. Let’s Talk About Canvas & Why It’s Important to Communicate with Your Client First? Jared Ailstock: “The canvas is the most important part of creating a great piece of art. It’s the support that holds the painting together. Any serious artist should have a close relationship with their canvas supplier. This is because the texture, thickness, and color of the canvas can greatly change the effect of a painting. The best advice for artists is to talk to their clients about canvas texture and color before they start a painting. This will lead to a better experience for everyone involved”. So, Why Do You Use Oil? Jared Ailstock: “Oil is my preferred medium. I used it since I first picked up a brush. The reason oil is his go-to medium is that it’s incredibly versatile. From the viscosity to the color, it can be manipulated to produce a wide array of effects. Oil paint is made from a combination of pigment, oil, and beeswax. When these ingredients are mixed together and applied to a surface, they become ‘old master’ quality art. Oil paintings have been around since the 15th century. During this time, painters like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo used oil paint as their medium of choice. That’s not to say that oil is the best medium for every artist. Every painter should try out different types of paint to find what works best for them”. Advice for Artists Looking to Get Started in Portraiture Jared Ailstock: “If you’re looking to get into the world of portraiture, then here are a few tips to help you out. First, understand that portraits are not just paintings of people. They can be paintings of anything. Next, familiarize yourself with different mediums and types of paint. This will help you decide what works best for you and your style of painting. Finally, create a positive space for yourself to create. This could be a studio, a garden, or a nearby park. It’s important to have a place where you feel comfortable and can focus on your art”. Final Thoughts Once you’ve decided which medium is best for you, Jared Ailstock points out that it’s time to start looking for models to paint. The best place to find models is through modeling websites. Once you’ve found a model, it’s time to start sketching. Sketching is important to any artist. It’s how artists figure out composition, placement of the subject, and how the paint will be applied to the canvas. Once you’re happy with your sketch, it’s time to paint. Painting a portrait is a long process and can take anywhere from several days to several months. This is because every artist has their own process and schedule.