Brian: Pole Dance Portrait Artist

Meet Brian, who creates beautiful portraits of pole dancers.

How did you get started specializing in painting portraits of pole dancers?

When my daughter Elaine started teaching pole dancing, I was attracted by the ballet-like motion and powerful physique on the pole and wanted to capture this on canvas. I painted some of Elaine’s photos and it took off from there.

What is your process for creating a pole dance portrait? Do pole dancers send you photos to work from?

Yes, the client emails or posts their photo to me. I then send back some samples of how their picture will look painted in my style.

Once they confirm which image they want, I draw it up onto canvas and start the painting process.

What can a pole dancer do to help get the most beautiful portrait possible?

The biggest and highest definition photo available to work from, the better the final result. Also worth remembering that I can only paint what I see. Some pics come in with parts of the body out of shot so it is important to make sure everything that is needed is in the original photo.

Adjustments are not a problem, however. During the subject’s drawing up process, I can slim down or increase body parts and lose unwanted backgrounds, etc. All a part of the service.

What are the main differences you notice between drawing pole dancers and drawing other types of performers?

As a figure artist, I find pole dancers very easy to paint as, like ballet dancers, there is plenty of muscle tone and form to work with. However, some of the poses are challenging, which make pole dancers interesting.

Describe your favorite pole dance portrait. What makes it special to you?

My favourite portrait to date is where my client had a shoot with the great pole photographer, Millie Robson, then sent one of the photos to me to paint. The pose was excellent, with wonderful shadows that turned out brilliant.

Who is your hero or role model?

If we are talking art, I studied Renoir right down to the brush strokes to work out how he created his masterpieces. To this day, I still believe my “light and shade” art success was down to those early learnings.

What are your favorite words of encouragement?

Quite simply, “never give up.” If something doesn’t work out, start again, and keep starting again until you get it right!

Favorite pizza toppings:

Spicy.

Cupcakes or ice cream?

Ice cream, every time.

You can visit Brian here to get a portrait of you pole dancing. Brian also does portraits off the pole and some sexier paintings, for when you want to release your inner vamp.

Tags: Pole Dance Portraits, Pole Dancers, Pole Dancing

May 14, 2009 - Posted by PoleSkivvies No Comments
Filed under: Pole Dance Art