Portraiture crossed my path out of the blue. I had painted many landscapes and cityscapes, but not one portrait, when my first commissioner was recommended to come to my studio. Nowadays I try to find a balance between painting portraits by commission and doing my "free" work.

In my opinion the most important aspect of portraiture is the challenge to capture the essence of a living being in a piece of art. Painting the details of a portrait in the right proportions requires more care and attention than painting details of a landscape. While I am doing a portrait I try to look at the painting through they eyes of the commissioner. My greatest reward is when at the first contact with the finished portrait the customer is showing emotion.

I am strongly in favour of working after a posing model. This is often practically not possible. So I often use photographs that I prefer to make myself. Next to my easel stands a large monitor on which I can show the photo.

My painting-method I try to keep as straightforward as possible and I don't work in a specified style. Each portrait is a new challenge a new adventure.