Robert Dreyer - oil painting

Robert Dreyer
345 S. Gore Ave.
www.dreyerfinearts.com
robdreyer@sbcglobal.net

Location information - I have a small studio in my basement on South Gore Avenue & Oak Terrace. Access is through a separate basement door, conveniently off of our driveway. I will have signs directing people. I will be working on a portrait or portraits during the tour and can explain my process and techniques to anyone interested.

Artist's Statement-
I currently work almost exclusively in oil portraiture. The quality of my work is achieved through the glazing of many layers of pigmented but translucent alkyd oils. This gives the portrait both depth and luminosity under proper lighting.

My objective is to create a portrait that comes off of the canvas and into the room with the viewer, both physically and emotionally. The illusion of bringing an image "off of the canvas" can be done with technique. However, connecting the viewer with the subject emotionally is much more challenging.

My approach is to study the subtle animations created by the person’s life force or "soul," then skillfully and deliberately capturing those certain subtle postures, expressions, or other animations in a “still” portrait, just as if the person were standing there. A successful portrait is when that is accomplished. When you look at the portrait’s smile, you find yourself smiling back.