Another Union League President
 

Perhaps a sequel to the Daniel DiLella Union League Portrait thread from two years back, here is a recent portrait of Fred Haab, who just finished his term as the club president.

Fred Haab
oil on linen
40 x 31 inches
Collection of the Union League of Philadelphia.

The process went pretty smoothly once I figured out my new camera and strobes. Mr. Haab quickly assumed this pose in the gentleman's smoking parlor, and liked it so much in the digital capture on my laptop, that he shook my hand and went back to work. Having not moved my camera tripod, I took more pictures of various ways of lighting the background, and settled on this combination in the painting.

This portrait was afforded a two-staged unveiling. The first with the Haab family, over an elaborately catered dinner with a thirty-foot lavishly set table and five courses of wines. The second, with the Union League of Philadelphia board of directors, over a much more lavishly catered dinner with a fifty-foot long very elaborately set table, and five more courses of wines. Well, you get the idea! It was strictly Black-Tie.

I look forward to your thoughts.

Garth

Garth,
What else can be said about this painting except "beautiful" and "perfect"?! Everything about it, right down to the button on the jacket and that highlight on his thumbnail; expression, colour, and those exquisite jacket sleeves--everything is masterful!!

How was the wine?

Congratulations!!

Carlos,

Most of the wine was pretty good; even the one that tasted like grapefruit!

Thanks, my friend! You have already made my day with your kind response.

Garth

The unveiling of a painting of this caliber deserves a hundred-foot lavishly, sumptuously set table with fifteen courses of wine. And a string quartet....

David

Masterful.

David, and Mary Ann,

Thank you! There was live music ....more of a piano jazz trio playing Christmas favorites and inspirational hymn impressions.

Here was the "small" table:

Garth

Oh my, that looks delightful. Thanks for sharing!

What can I say, Garth. Not only does this painting exhibit technical perfection, but you have the rare ability to breathe life and humanity into official portraits of men in suits. Your work is gorgeous.

Garth,
I like how you made sure they didn't go to Hobby Lobby to pick out the frame! 40" x 31" BRILLIANT

Seriously, I'm speechless. They should be more than pleased. I'm sure it will the talk of the family for generations to come.

Hi Garth, I'm speechless too !!

I'm also impressed about the way you manage to arrange these official portraits in a way that emphasizes both the human and his position.

I am especially fond of the background of this painting, that sandstone fireplace and the heavy wooden door make a perfect match to the blues in his suit.

Your value control is also impressive. When I look at the painting close up all the details are clear, but when I step back a few steps the person will separate from the background, magic !!!

And then there's the tie, you are a patient man, Garth ;)

Perakis Frames, Philadelphia, 215-627-7700
 

Mary Ann, Mary, Clayton, and Allan, thank you all! Being credited as having the "rare ability to breathe life and humanity into official portraits" means so much. It probably was just good luck and a good start, and a fine and patient gentleman to represent.

I just plugged the framer. They do top notch work, and can make or match any historic or museum frame. You get what you pay for though. This frame used on Mr. Haab's portrait cost about $4,500.00. Fortunately I was not the one paying for it.

The Union League would never go to a "hobby lobby". They are renowned for their fine and sumptuous gilding and framing throughout their galleries and parlors. Cost is not an issue. They left me free to select a frame myself, although in the end, Mr. Haab made the final choice. I did however prepare a few optional virtual presentations in Photoshop to influence the decision.

In these four pictures, #1. is a mockup of the same frame used for Mr. DiLella two years ago, but resized for this canvas; #2. is the same profile as was actually used, but in white gold and without the decorative corners added (I took a number of photos of just a frame sample corner and stitched them together in Photoshop for this illusion); #3. is an array of several frame samples together which Perakis thought we should consider; the white gold one again is the same profile and the next one is the DiLella profile; #4. is a detail of the frame we used.

Thanks for your input!

Garth

Very nice, Garth. Another fabulous conclusion. Well done.

Garth, I echo everyone else. It is fantastic. :thumbsup:

You never cease to amaze me. A modern Master you are!

Garth,

Your paintings always amaze me but this one jumped off the monitor at me. It is so alive and real that at first blush I thought you had posted a photograph of a subject. Then I realized what you had accomplished and found myself absorbed in the details that have been so masterfully painted. How long did it take to complete? Do you enjoy doing the very detailed passages? I know some people love doing them, but I find them maddening. Smashing work.

Garth,

This portrait is magnificent in every way! First of all, Mr. Haab's expression is so totally HIM. Even though I've never met him, I can tell. He doesn't even seem to be posing in any way. It looks as if you caught him in the middle of a conversation, just after he's listened to you and is considering his response. I'll bet he looks like that every day.

The skin tones and textures, the texture and color of his clothing, are all rendered so well. The detail is there but it doesn't overwhelm or looks static. One thing I really like about your work is how, up close, the brushwork is visible. The surface is not too smooth--it's alive.

Moving on to the background, it's so well done in and of itself, and in relation to the figure. It's rich with detail, but not sharply painted or overworked. The textures and surfaces of glass, wood, etc., are immediately recognizable. It is all held together (and pushed back in space) by the fact that you have kept it within a narrow value range. I think this is my new favorite of yours.

Fabulous, Garth....many congratulations!

Dear John, Mary, Mike, Richard, Alex, and Tom, my sincere thanks!

Richard, you know, for me that tie was the toughest bit to pull off; to get a sense of rolling turning form and modulation of light while maintaining the pattern, nearly drove me.... well it was maybe a little tedious, but the rest was easier.

Alex, thanks! It is him, I'll admit it. He naturally hit this pose right at the beginning of the shoot. The images that followed somehow had less spontaneity and spark. It often happens that the subject is best right at the start, and it's magical to capture it. It means a lot when you say it's a new favorite of yours!

Thanks again,

Garth

Magnificent, Garth - you just get better and better.

敦厚
 

敦厚
dūnh

Great work, Garth! That tie, oh my gosh, your patience.

Beside the complete mastery of the medium, the getting of the likeness, the perfection of the work, I am impressed with what must be your ability to strike up a trust and rapport, which is reflected in your subject's facial expression.

I'm also touched by the photo of the occasion, with what is probably the man's wife holding his arm, as if to indicate how emotionally moving this event is to her as well.

That's a very striking portrait! He really has presence.

I can only second everyone's words here!

Congrats again.

Just Lovely Garth. Stunning.

Wow Garth, Don't know how I missed this -- it's gorgeous in every detail! & OMG -- that tie! :cool: