Ben Lustenhouwer

Dutch portrait painter

commissioned works

‘Painting a portrait is not just painting a picture, it is the celebration of a person’.

I once read this statement and made it my motto. A painted portrait must be a reflection of the person in his finest hour.

For the last thirty years I was mainly focused on commissioned portrait painting. I was affiliated with Fine Art Commissions in London and with Morren Galeries in Utrecht (Holland). I have also steadily received assignments directly via the internet. I have found great pleasure and dedication in portrait painting. The following paintings are selected commissioned works.

144 Comments

  1. Chitralekha Kumar May 12, 2019

    Hello. My name is Chitra and I came across your portraits while surfing the internet for artists. I liked the honesty in your portraits and loved what you say about a painting being a celebration of a person. I would like to celebrate my late husband.
    I would be very happy if you can reply to my message on my email below so we can discuss further. Thank you.

    • Ben Lustenhouwer May 13, 2019 — Post author

      Thank you for your kind words. I will write you.

      • Marite March 28, 2023

        Superbes portraits pourtant très difficile à réaliser. .
        Bravo à vous 👏👏

    • Eileen Malone June 13, 2020

      Hi , i love your portrait painting and and that you say they are a celebration of the person with that in mind i would love a portrait of my son who died in January 2013 he was 31 and it would indeed be a celebration of his life hoping to hear from you soon thanks .Eileen

      • Ben Lustenhouwer June 13, 2020 — Post author

        I am afraid to tell you I don´t accept commissions anymore.
        Ben

        • Shirley Patterson July 3, 2023

          I understand that you are not taking on any more work. I really would appreciate if you could make some recommendations for an excellent artist who could paint a portrait of Charles Dickens writing a book . He is my great great grandfather. I have plenty of family drawings I could copy from. Ideally I would like the image to be oval in shape and in colour.
          Thank you
          Shirley Patterson
          shirleypatterson@telus.net

          • Ben Lustenhouwer July 4, 2023 — Post author

            Indeed I do not accept commissions anymore, but I can make an U-turn for interesting proyects. Write me on my mail.

  2. Rajesh May 29, 2019

    can you make a person “ARTIST”, whom god not send as a “aRTIST”. Because my writing is very bad and my drawing marks below 10 out of 100. Sorry, if i am wrong. God Bless You.

    • Jane Grimshaw February 5, 2020

      I believe that anyone can become an artist as you say.everyone is an artist in their own way,technique is learned.

  3. Robin Wellner September 5, 2019

    Ben — I love your work and have for many years. I too paint portraits – trying to get to your level!!! Do you have any advice on backgrounds? I find myself struggling with them as much or more than the face.
    Thank you!!!

  4. Lluis March 22, 2020

    Dear Ben,

    Congratulations from Switzerland for your great work. I am a recent viewer of your very instructive videos in your youtube channel. I very much appreciate your insightful comments such as: “lights can easily be made lighter and dark zones can easily be made darker” or “shadows are warm”. As you are an artist with many years of experience, I would like to ask you if you once could make a video sharing this experience. Some ideas:
    – showing your progress from your earlier works to your current works. Do you see a great progress/evolution in your work?
    – Were there moments (with certain paintings) where you saw that you were overcome challenges that made you feel you made a step forward?
    – how many hours do you use to paint per week?
    – how long did it take you to get a level where you were satisfied with your work?
    Thanks in advance,

    Lluis

    • Ben Lustenhouwer March 24, 2020 — Post author

      Dear Lluis. Thank you for your kind words. I give you first two thoughts: 1. every artist started as an amateur. 1. you need to make at least 100 bad paintings before a takeoff. I hopefully never showed my bad works, but I really had my share!
      I am into this job my whole life. A full time painter since I was 20 years old. I was lucky to be able to realize my dreams: become a portrait painter. Progress goes always in steps. Sometimes slow, sometimes fast. It has been a long journey.
      Now my activity is into sharing my knowledge with people who are interested. Making videos. More than ever activities that are not prevented by global viruses. Kind regards.
      Ben

  5. jasmine April 12, 2020

    I love уour blog.. vеry nice colors & theme. Did you design this website yoսrself or did үou hire someone
    to do it for you? Plz reply as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to
    find out where u got this from. cheers

    • Ben Lustenhouwer April 12, 2020 — Post author

      Hi Jasmine. Yes I did it myself. In WordPress. It takes a bit of time before you get the tric but it is easy to do.

  6. Alex April 18, 2020

    Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your website in Firefox, it looks fine but
    when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
    I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, awesome blog!

  7. Margie Lubliner April 19, 2020

    Hello,
    I recently purchased your video of A Little Girl.
    I am very pleased and impressed with your work and the video with one exception; you forgot the instructions for painting the hair, which you acknowledged at the end of the video.
    Have you made a video that explains that process?

  8. Jess Joppen April 23, 2020

    Beste meneer Lustenhouwer,

    Ik teken/schilder al 3-4 jaar als leerling bij een atelier hier in Arnhem. Sinds quarantaine kan dat natuurlijk niet meer, dus ik zocht naar wat behulpzame video’s online. Uw video is de eerste die ik heb bekeken, en ik herkende uw accent meteen als Nederlands. Zelf ben ik half Nederlands, half Canadees. Uw video’s zijn schitterend om naar te kijken en om van te leren. Heel erg bedankt.

    Vriendelijke groet,
    Jess Joppen

    • Ben Lustenhouwer April 23, 2020 — Post author

      Dank u voor uw vriendelijk woorden. Ik probeer elke week een nieuw boodschap online te hebben.
      Vriendelijke groet.
      Ben

  9. Roman Kadobianskyi (Treasure) May 6, 2020

    Dear Ben, I am 71 years old professor emeritus (my speciality was physics and mathematics) and live in Kyiv, Ukraine. Now I have opportunity to paint as I had dreamed in my childhood. Now I am trying to improve my drawing skills making landscapes in pastels. I would like to try to paint in oil, particularly portrets too. Many thanks for Your amazing and such inspiring video tutorials! You are Guru the Great! I wish You all the best and very many outstating paintings in the future.
    Once You told how to build grid on photo and print it. There is very usufull and free downloadable program for this purpose which I prefere: D-PCO. You would find it in Google by typing “D-PCO – Stephen H. Roxburgh”.
    Sincerely, Roman

    • Charles Kerber MD January 2, 2021

      I am trying to find your technique for comparing grayscale images in photo shop so that you can see errors in the original painting – when comparing it to the reference image.

      I know it is in one of your videos. Could you please point me in the right direction?

      • Ben Lustenhouwer January 4, 2021 — Post author

        I made a gray scale myself. But there is available a 20 step grayscale made by Kodak

      • Charles Kerber MD January 20, 2021

        My apologies. I was unclear in my request.
        I want to make an image from the original photograph to be able to compare that to the image I have placed on the canvas. The second layer allows one to compare, finding errors on your painting..You show this on one of your videos using Photoshop, but I cannot find which video it was.

        BTW, Speaking as someone who has been a professor my whole career, I must say you are about the best teacher I have ever run across. Thank you.

  10. Suzanne Joly May 23, 2020

    Bonjour,
    J’apprécie votre travail et méthode d’enseignement. Comme j’ai de la difficulté avec le portrait, j’ai l’intention de réaliser quelques tableaux monochrome pour apprendre à bien choisir les valeurs. Par ailleurs, j’ai entrepris un portrait selon votre méthode et lorsque j’ai voulu réaliser un “underpainting'” à l’acrylique la couleur n’adhérait pas bien à la toile, ça barbouillait. J’ai appliqué deux couches de Gesso et j’ai utilisé de l’acrylique Pebeo et Amsterdam, même résultat. Donc:
    travaillez-vous sur une surface recouverte de Gesso?
    quelle sorte de peinture acrylique utilisez-vous?
    quels sortes de pinceaux pour l’acrylique?
    Je vous remercie pour les conseils et tutorials que vous mettez à notre disposition pour fin d’apprentissage.
    Merci.

    • Ben Lustenhouwer May 25, 2020 — Post author

      Hi Susanne
      La sous-couche peut rejeter la peinture acrylique. C’est ça ton problème? C’est le substrat pour peinture à l’huile préparé et donc gras. Mélangez un peu de savon, du savon ordinaire avec lequel vous vous lavez les mains à travers l’acrylique et le problème a disparu. J’utilise également l’acrylique Amsterdam. Pour la peinture acrylique, j’utiliserais des pinceaux synthétiques. Salutation. (J’espère que la traduction de Google est correcte.)

  11. Jeffry Kirschen May 25, 2020

    Ben,
    I want to thank you for producing wonderful videos of your work. I have enjoyed them very much. Your manner of explaining what techniques work and which do not work is kind and direct.

    As a new 67 year old student of oil painting, I hope to become a professional artist one day. I look forward to seeing more of your videos so I can hear a nugget or two of advice and wisdom.

    • Ben Lustenhouwer May 25, 2020 — Post author

      Thank you Jeffry for your kind words. Good luck!

  12. Jose Herrera June 2, 2020

    Dear Ben. First and foremost I love your work. I would love to celebrate my mother with one of your works. Could you please contact me back. Thanks you and thank you for sharing your passion with the world!

    • Ben Lustenhouwer June 3, 2020 — Post author

      Dear Jose. Thank you. If you thought of a commission I am sorry to say that I don´t accept any anymore.
      Kind regards. Ben

  13. Poornima June 6, 2020

    Hello Sir,
    I just discovered your site , and I was stunned by your work in portraits. I have just started my first one , and I am struggling to get the softness in the eyes, can you please suggest a way to do it. I watched your videos too. I am immensely impressed by your talent. This is my mail Id , can you reply Sir.
    poornapari@gmail.com

    • Ben Lustenhouwer June 6, 2020 — Post author

      In most of my tutorials I tell especially how to soften the eyes. Try not to copy all the details you see, only paint the main features and in a simple way. that is to start with.

  14. หวย June 9, 2020

    Hey there just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of
    the images aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why but I
    think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and
    both show the same outcome.

    • Ben Lustenhouwer June 9, 2020 — Post author

      Thank you for letting me know. I´ll check.

  15. Sirish M N June 12, 2020

    Dear sir,
    I’ve been watching your educational videos. I have learnt a lot from you. Thanks for these outstanding tips.
    Is there a way to avoid using pencil to sketch before applying watercolor. Also, when i hold a finished portrait it looks awfully imbalanced. How to overcome this.
    Kindly advise.
    Regards

    • Ben Lustenhouwer June 13, 2020 — Post author

      I think my advise for you is to pay more attention to the drawing and-or underpainting. Remember: control first, freedom later.

  16. Rosana Mendes Campos June 15, 2020

    Hi Ben!
    First of all, I’d like to congratulate you on your outstanding work and thank you ever so much for your selfless attitude that allows you to share your knowledge and ability accumulated over years and years of experience.
    You have no idea how precious your tutorials have been to me, a Brazilian artist, who did Fine Arts at the university here. Although I majored at painting, I never attended a workshop at the university where the professor really disclosed the information you share in your videos.
    Over here, the artists are, I guess, over competitive and keep their knowledge for themselves, and leave us to work it out by ourselves.
    Anyway, I like to do portraits and I’be been struggling to accomplish my granddaughter’s who is a very fair and blue eyed girl. I have watched your tutorial on blonde hair and blue eyes. Even so, as my granddaughter’s hair is coilly, I have tried three times already to paint her portrait and failed to do the golden locks hair.
    I would be delighted if you dedicated one tutorial to help us solve this obstacle..
    I thank you.

    • Ben Lustenhouwer June 15, 2020 — Post author

      Thank you for your comment Rosana. After summer I start again making videos om all kind of issues. Also curly hair.
      Kind regards.

      • Melvin Russo February 6, 2024

        Hi Ben, thank you so much for all your tutorials. If i may, can you make a tutorial of how to paint a portrait of someone looking straight at the camera with the light source right in front of the face, in other words with little or no shadows on either side of the face? I find that to be an impossible portrait to paint, but if anyone has a way to overcome this, im sure you can! I think i know what your response will be; “don’t use that picture, get a better picture.” but im taking these images from the internet of celebrities and i dont have the luxury of asking them for better pictures.

        • Ben Lustenhouwer February 7, 2024 — Post author

          Hi Melvin, You are right, my response will be take another one. I know your problem,that is why I always explain not to work from “flash pictures”. The likeness comes from shadows so you will have a hard job.
          I only can wish you good luck.

  17. Francis Eliezer C Garzon June 21, 2020

    Thank you so much for giving your knowledge to the world and you are truly a generous artist.

    • Ben Lustenhouwer June 22, 2020 — Post author

      Thank you Francis.It is my pleasure.

  18. Charles Dey June 25, 2020

    which kind of brushes would you recommend for portrait painting?

  19. Rosana M Campos August 20, 2020

    I’ve been watching your videos in the last few months, when I accidentally stumbled into your work on Youtube. You’re an excellent portraitist. I would be very happy if you could do a long video teaching how to paint fair skinned children, especially the bllue-eyed ones. I find it harder to get the shadows when the skin is so delicate. It seems I miss the delicacy of a child’s fair complexion.

    Another item I still struggle with is the eyes. If I include too many details they sticks out, and become not really part of the face. Couldn’t you make a step by step video showing us how to avoid those traps? It would be wonderful!

    I thank you ever so much!

    • Ben Lustenhouwer October 23, 2020 — Post author

      Thank you Rosanna. One of my last videos was on a fair skin girl: https://youtu.be/lsbp09y9R5c
      About details: always try to make less as possible. More details does not make a better likeness and as you say they might jump out.
      Kind regards
      Ben

  20. Shannon Armstrong October 22, 2020

    Dear Ben,
    Thank you so much for your instructional videos. They are superb!
    Is it possible to discuss commissioning a portrait of our daughters, please?
    Kind regards,
    Shannon

    • Ben Lustenhouwer October 23, 2020 — Post author

      Dear Shannon. That you for your kind words.
      I am afraid to tell you I do not accept commissions anymore.
      Kind regards.
      Ben

  21. CARLOS MARIO MOLINA December 4, 2020

    Saludos Ben

    He disfrutado mucho de tus pinturas y tus videos, me encanta el enfoque de tu trabajo y la forma sincera como enseñas, tus consejos me han sido muy útiles, desde Colombia recibe mis felicitaciones y agradecimientos por el aporte que haces.

    • Ben Lustenhouwer December 5, 2020 — Post author

      Hola Carlos. Muchas gracias por tus palabras. Un saludo desde España.

  22. Neil Ward December 28, 2020

    Hi Ben

    I am a self taught amateur artist taking advantage of unemployment due to the corvid situation. I have only just stumbled on to your you tube videos and I am blown away by your talent and natural seamless presentation skills. I love your style of painting and your work reminds me of a Frans Hals portrait of a young woman which is in the Hull Ferens collection. This is my favourite painting in the gallery.

    I am about to embark on my first portrait painting and I would just like to thank you for sharing your knowledge and time to help people like myself.

    I wish you well you are a top man.

    Regards

    Neil Ward

    • Ben Lustenhouwer December 28, 2020 — Post author

      Hi Neil. Thank you for your kind words. For people like you I make the videos. Internet is a fantastic tool for E-learning. I am flattered when my work reminds you of Frans Hals. Too much honor.
      All the best.
      Ben

  23. Jan Klüssendorf January 6, 2021

    Dag Ben,

    Wilde je hierbij even laten weten dat ik HEEL VEEL leer van je videos!!. Ben een later roeping (72 jaar). Zit nu in Gent (België) in het 2de jaar van de Academie schilderen. Maar, na het 1ste jaar, krijg je daar eigenlijk nog maar heel weinig praktische begeleiding. Waardoor ik me steeds stuurlozer begon te voelen. Maar door naar jouw video’s te kijken is me veel duidelijk geworden en heb ik nieuwe moed opgevat om door te gaan en ik geniet ervan.
    Wilde je dit even laten weten en je van harte bedanken voor al je inspanningen.
    Geweldig !!!

    • Ben Lustenhouwer January 7, 2021 — Post author

      Dag Jan. Leuk dat je dat laat weten.Succes met de opleiding!

  24. Marten Baumgartner January 23, 2021

    Geachte heer Lustenhouwer,

    Ik schreef U enige tijd geleden met de vraag of het U mogelijk was een portret te maken van mijn lange tijd geleden overleden vader, dus van een foto.
    Uit uw antwoord bleek dat U (voor mij helaas) geen opdrachten meer accepteerde voor portretschilderingen.
    Mocht U bij uw antwoord gebleven zijn, zou het dan mogelijk zijn mij een portetschilder te indiceren waarin U vertrouwen heeft en in wiens of wier stijl U zichzelf herkent en die bereid is een portret van een foto te schilderen.
    Ik dank U natuurlijk hartelijk bij voorbaat.

    Marten Baumgartner.

    • Ben Lustenhouwer January 24, 2021 — Post author

      Geachte heer Baumgartner. Ik zou het zo niet direct weten. Wellicht is een bezoek aan De Portret winkel in Utrecht een idee.
      Vriendelijke groet. Ben

  25. nigel bewey January 24, 2021

    hello ben i am so interested to find out the last name of the blonde women with a blue blouse in the middle row seventh row down in your portrait as she is a exact likeness of our friend who would like to know if its one of her relatives, as she is of dutch origens she feels it could be.
    many thanks in advance, love your portraits!
    nigel

    • Ben Lustenhouwer January 27, 2021 — Post author

      Hi Nigel. I am afraid I cannot tell you the name for privacy reasons. Hope you understand.

  26. Michael Annis February 24, 2021

    Thank you Ben,
    Thank you for wonderful videos on YouTube and your willingness to share your great gift and your tutorials
    Best wishes !

  27. Srikanth vengala April 4, 2021

    Hi Ben, I would like to know what type of fixative you are using. I saw there is a bottle full off liquid fixative in one of your videos through which you are blowing by mouth. Can you please tell us about it

    • Ben Lustenhouwer April 6, 2021 — Post author

      That is the shellac.The old school way. But also a fixative in a spray can will do the job.

  28. nancy kincaid May 15, 2021

    Are you accepting commissions? What is the average price for a portrait 20x 21 approx

    • Ben Lustenhouwer May 17, 2021 — Post author

      Dear Nancy. I am afraid to disappoint you. I do not accept commissions anymore.

  29. Maria Antonia Esquivel Tafoya May 15, 2021

    Gracias Ben por compartir sus enseñanzas. Es un extraordinario artista. y sus videos son muy ilustrativos. Reciba mi admiración y respeto. Espero que este
    con salud.. Gracias Maestro.

    • Ben Lustenhouwer May 17, 2021 — Post author

      Hola Maria Antonia.
      Gracias por sus palabras tan amables.
      Un saludo.
      Ben

  30. Liesbeth May 26, 2021

    Hallo Ben,
    Ik heb begeleiding nodig bij het portret schilderen. Ik ben schilderes al mijn hele leven ( ben 69 jaar oud), en woon in Israel.
    Juli en Augustus deze zomer ben ik in Nederland en mijn vraag is of jij dan ook in Nederland bent, en of er een kans is voor een paar lessen bij jou??
    Vriendelijke groet Liesbeth Afek

    • Ben Lustenhouwer May 26, 2021 — Post author

      Hallo Liesbeth
      In september geef ik drie weken les in Nederland (Ik woon in Spanje) Maar deze cursussen zijn al een tijd lang volgeboekt helaas.
      Hartelijke groet.
      Ben

      • Liesbeth May 27, 2021

        Hallo Ben,
        Dank voor jouw reactie!
        Heel jammer, en ook heel begrijpelijk dat jouw cursussen zijn volgeboekt!
        Ik hoop er de volgende keer bij te zijn!
        Hartelijke groet
        Liesbeth

  31. ED KHAJETORIANS June 5, 2021

    Dear Ben,
    I came across your Youtube videos, and instantly fell in love with your style.
    I also paint. I will purchase your on line lessons just to make myself better.
    Hopefully I will be able to attend your work shop in Netherland as soon as you have a seat available.
    My goal is to learn from a Dutch master, in Dutch method.
    Looking forward hearing back from you.
    God bless.

    • Ben Lustenhouwer June 6, 2021 — Post author

      Thank you Ed. The workshop planned for September this year is already fully booked I am afraid.
      Best.
      Ben

      • ED KHAJETORIANS June 17, 2021

        Dear Ben,

        I was able to proceed and purchase one of your on line classes.
        I will stay in touch for your future work shops schedules .
        I think by then I will be able to capture some of your techniques.
        Cheers

  32. Victor June 10, 2021

    I love your work Mr. Ben…I’d like to ask which books would recommend for a portrait painter and also which portrait painters in history that have inspire you. Could you share any books they might have written or written about them concerning portraiture…?
    Thanks in advance

    • Ben Lustenhouwer June 14, 2021 — Post author

      Hi Victor.
      To be honest books about just portrait painting are few. A book that, long time ago, helped me very much is The Portrait Painters Problem Book by Paul C. Burns, edited by Watson-Guptill Publications N.Y.
      Among the painters that are very important for me are: John Singer Sargent and Joaquin Sorolla.
      Best
      Ben

  33. Daniel Diaz June 13, 2021

    Hola estimado Ben, recien comienzo con el fascinante mundo de la pintura, específicamente intento hacer cuadros los cuales estoy a años luz de distancia de los hermosos retratos que realizas. Espero que en algun momento pueda hacer algo tan hermoso como lo que he visto. Y justamente lo que he podido observar es la esencia de ese ser humano, mas alla de su estetica. Es conmovedor. Me imaginaba a esas personas muchos años despues de haber sido retratadas, mirandose a si mismas congeladas en su linea de tiempo para siempre. Simplemente maravilloso. Mis felicitaciones desde Buenos Aires, Argentina.

    • Ben Lustenhouwer June 14, 2021 — Post author

      Hola Daniel. Gracias por tus palabras tan amables.

  34. Lyle Behrends June 23, 2021

    You are a grand man/artist with personal responsibility for the universe we share and its fruition. Thank you for all that has come my way and thank you for all the folks that haven’t responded to date. My work has improved so from your generosity!

    • Ben Lustenhouwer June 25, 2021 — Post author

      Thank you Lyle. It is good to hear that. Keep painting!

  35. Saskia de Rover August 13, 2021

    Geachte heer Lustenhouwer,
    Graag zou ik u willen vragen of het mogelijk is dat u één portret van onze dochters (15 en 16 jaar) schildert.

    • Ben Lustenhouwer August 14, 2021 — Post author

      Ik ben bank dat ik u teleur moet stellen. Ik neem geen opdrachten meer aan.

  36. Tereza Cristina August 27, 2021

    O seu trabalho e lindo realmente espero um dia conseguir pintar como voce .Pena que os seu vídeos não sao traduzidos para o português ,parabens

  37. Eduardo Bello November 6, 2021

    Hello: Are you ok mister Ben? I follow your videos on Youtube, very useful and relaxing. Thanks for give us your art, and knowledge.

  38. Varun November 28, 2021

    Hi Ben

    I recently started painting at the age of 53.

    I started off by making copies of famous masters like sargeant and others.

    I came upon your videos by chance and I absolutely love your method of simplifying details. I am a big fan now!

    I personally enjoy playing with shadows on the face to accentuate the curves and planes of a face.

    I am a beginner and only paint for my enjoyment. I am seeking inspiration and guidance in selecting interesting subjects.

    Any advice for me?

    Warm Regards

    • Ben Lustenhouwer December 24, 2021 — Post author

      Well in January I´ll start a new tutorial. Also I will tell about nice and easy subjects to paint.

  39. MANOLITO MARIANO AGUSTIN December 5, 2021

    Sir Ben! Hi! I studied Design in Stroganov Art School in Moscow, USSR. 1985-1993. But we rarely did portrait classes. Mostly are still life and sceneries. Well, to tell you honestly, in spite of my age Im 56 now…im still learning..And im learning form you Sir..How I wish to meet you in person…Im from the Philippines…

  40. M LEBLANCO December 28, 2021

    DEAR BEN
    THANKS FOR ALL YOUR EXPERTISE. FOR SIMPLYFING
    THE SKILLS INTO ONE YEAR DRAWING, ONE YEAR VALUE
    AND THEN LIFE TIME OF COLOR.

    THANKS FOR THE INDEPTH COLOR MIXING. AND PALETTE CHOICE
    I THINK WE EXPECT TOO MUCH TOO SOON. STICK TO THE TASK
    AND ONE DAY THE DOOR WILL OPEN.

    I HAVE BOUGHT YOUR COLORS AND WILL PRACTICE MIXING
    THE FLESH TONES FOR 100 PRACTICE FACES.
    TRAINS AND BOATS ARE EASY PEOPLE ARE A REAL TASK
    BUT FUN. YOUR WORK IS RIGHT ON THE MONEY
    THANKS FOR CARING AND MERRY CHRISTMAS . MIGUELITO

    • Ben Lustenhouwer December 31, 2021 — Post author

      Dear Miguelito. Thank you so much for your kind words. All the best for 2022!

  41. Pawel Szpak February 2, 2022

    Ben, your a star! Wonderful paintings, and do you know why? What I can see on your portraits you bring out all greatness of the person, all the cheer and even though we all have bad days, bad moods, sad faces, you make them look so good. I’m fascinated and amazed!

  42. Gail Franklin February 17, 2022

    Do you have your painting videos available for purchase? Thanks.

  43. Carol Lundmark February 19, 2022

    Thank you so much! I am a 76 yr young beginning painter. Your approach makes so much more sense to me than painters who use black/veridian shadows in portraits.

  44. joost February 20, 2022

    Mooi gedaan.

    Echt inspirerend.

    Ben zelf net aan portretten begonnen, na een pauze met schilderen van 35 jaar.

    Zoveel te leren, en uitstekende lessen van u.

    bedankt voor de videos

  45. Ozier Dominique February 24, 2022

    D.OZIER 7Villa Laugier Le 24fev 2022
    75017 Paris

    Mister Ben Lustenhouwer , bonjour , comment peut-on vous joindre et avoir un moyen de vous rencontrer ? Je suis un amateur de 76ans qui cherche à avoir quelques conseils techniques de peinture à l’huile classique pour éliminer mes erreurs , en temps qu’autodidacte . Faites-vous de temps en temps des stages , et où . Je suis à la retraite et j’étais prof de piano à l’Ecole Normale de Musique à Paris , où je vis toujours . Bien respectueusement à vous.
    Dominique Ozier

    • Ben Lustenhouwer March 7, 2022 — Post author

      Cher Dominique. Malheureusement, je dois vous dire que je n’ai pas d’ateliers prévus pour cette année.

  46. Ty March 5, 2022

    Thank you for your useful tips on portrait painting in oil. “Don’t blend the colors” on face is a good tip because that’s exactly what I did on my first attempt at a portrait in oil. The portrait came out like a child’s play drawing. The canvas appeared rather rough too.

    I’ve used gouache/watercolor and ink pen for another portrait on watercolor paper and it turned out ok as the sitter (owner of photo) liked it and even my own sister was impressed. As you said, I shall not let my family be the judge of my talent, if any.

    I’m a Korean nurse living in Southern California, and I would like to keep learning to paint especially after retirement. I will be viewing your helpful videos, and I hope you continue to share your knowledge. Thank you.

    Ty

  47. gianfranco zuccca March 7, 2022

    I am a Sardinian self thaugtht amateur painter and I was very much impressed by your lessons and found your advises very very helpuful then ever.
    I have enjoyed very much your lesson and I would like to ask you : what kind of material is you nice , clean white palette ?
    I thank you very very much and I hope to hear from you ….best regards.

  48. miguel victoria April 15, 2022

    Hello Mr. Ben: I am really impressed by the freshness and spontaneity of your works. I have seen all your videos and I try to follow your advice to the letter, I know that everyone has their way of seeing things, but I really like the way you do it. I live in Mexico City and I wish I could upload more tutorials, in truth that never has a person been so clear and frank when explaining their concepts. congratulations and if I can support you please let me know. Best regards

    • Ben Lustenhouwer April 16, 2022 — Post author

      Thank you Miguel. I will continue my project of portrait painting tutorials. Best regards from Spain.

  49. Mark May 11, 2022

    Beste Ben,

    Bedankt voor al uw mooie video’s. Ik heb er veel aan. U legt de verschillende aspecten zeer goed uit.
    Bedankt.

  50. Ricardo August 21, 2022

    Hi My dearest Sir Ben, I admire you as an Artist and as a person, thank YOU for sharing your skills and knowledge with us.God bless you. Sir Ben can you please share us your knowledge of how to treat an oil painting like how long after it is done is it dry, and may it be varnished and handed over to the client. If you can make a video or just drop your answer here I will appreciate it. Best Regards, Your Admirer: Ricardo

  51. Valeri December 26, 2022

    I dream of having your master class lesson in the workshop. You are a generous and wonderful person. Happiness, Love and good luck to you. Best regards, Valeri.

    • Ben Lustenhouwer December 28, 2022 — Post author

      Thank you Valeri. For the near future I don´t have plans for classes. Maybe later this year.

  52. Garry Lankford December 30, 2022

    I have watched your video on hands multiple times, and I have to say the colors you used has been missing in other classes I’ve followed. You work is so almost magical in how it brings life into
    the hands.
    Many of the photos I find, seems to ring more to a yellow hue, I don’t know if this is because it is a photograph, as opposed to real life?????
    Thank you for sharing your pallet and how it is used.

    • Ben Lustenhouwer January 5, 2023 — Post author

      Thank you Garry. I must say that the colors in the video differ a bit from the real painting, due to the editing program as usual.

  53. jay January 12, 2023

    i am going to use temporary varnish. how long to wait to apply
    transparent red ozide to painting after using the temprary varnish

    • Ben Lustenhouwer January 19, 2023 — Post author

      Temporary varnish dries very quick. The next day you can continue painting.
      Sorry for answering late.

  54. Murugesh March 18, 2023

    Dear Ben. No words I read your works…
    Kind Regards
    Murugesh

  55. Riccardo April 14, 2023

    Dear Ben, I am really grateful to you for sharing your art and knowledge. I am currently doing some pastels and a few gouache portraits, with a continuous drawing exercise in anatomy. Your work inspires me to re-approach (after years!) oil techniques. Anyway, regardless of the outcomes, thank you for all. Best for you, Riccardo.

    • Ben Lustenhouwer May 4, 2023 — Post author

      Thank you Riccardo and good luck with restarting in oils

  56. Trentadue Domenico June 3, 2023

    You are very important artist of the world. I love your contest picture
    and I love this art.

    • Ben Lustenhouwer June 6, 2023 — Post author

      Thank you for your kind comment.

  57. Charles Kerber June 4, 2023

    You have helped me in my slow progress so profoundly, and for that I am so thankful. What a teacher you are.

    I especially admire the portrait of the young woman in the red blouse that you used to demonstrate “warm cool contrast.” I have made a photograph from my monitor, and have it pinned to my easel. Wonderful.

    But I’m wondering if you would consider selling the original. It does not appear to have been a commissioned portrait, so I suspect it is available

    • Ben Lustenhouwer June 6, 2023 — Post author

      Hi Charles. So glad you could benefit from my videos. Indeed the painting was not a commission. I promised it to give it to the model. But I can ask her if she is really interested. If not it is available. I will tell you when I spoke to her. In a week or so.
      Best.
      Ben

    • Ben Lustenhouwer June 12, 2023 — Post author

      Hi Charles. I spoke to the model and she allows me to sell the painting.

      • Charles W Kerber June 22, 2023

        Reimbursement?

        • Ben Lustenhouwer June 22, 2023 — Post author

          I am so sorry to say, but the model changed her mind. Hope you don´t mind.

  58. Charles W Kerber July 2, 2023

    Your model’s willingness to change her mind shows great judgment on her part. Were I she, I would not part from this work either.

    Of course I am disappointed. But I respect her wishes.

    I am uncomfortable talking about commercial transactions on a public forum, so I wonder if you would reply directly to my email
    .
    People change their minds, and I’m hopeful she does so in the near future. Please let me know. In the meanwhile, I will continue to watch your wonderful videos and practice, practice, practice.
    Kindest regards

    • Ben Lustenhouwer July 4, 2023 — Post author

      Thank you for your understanding Charles.
      Kind regards.
      Ben

      • Charles Kerber January 19, 2024

        It has now been seven months since my last request.

        As your model changed your mind? I would still like to buy the painting?

  59. cambrie July 26, 2023

    Your work is simply beaytifyk, filled with light and color!!!

  60. Damián October 26, 2023

    ¡Hola, Ben!

    Quiero enviarte mi más sincera gratitud por todo el contenido y conocimiento que compartes y por la manera en que lo haces. Descubrí tu obra gracias a tu canal de Youtube hace unos meses y no puedes imaginar cuánto disfruto de tus vídeos y cuánto he aprendido de ellos. Los veo una y otra vez (en especial los más extensos), me inspira mucha paz poder ver todo tu proceso. La música que acompaña tus vídeos también es maravillosa.

    ¿Sabes? Me descargué tu libro 100 portraits, ¡me encanta! Tu obra tiene un acabado tan fresco, espontáneo y lleno de vida. También quería agradecerte que valores el hecho de compartir tu contenido en español, lo aprecio mucho.

    Descubrí tu trabajo en un momento muy complicado de mi vida, y el contenido que compartes me ha ayudado mucho a sobrellevarlo, así que si necesitas ayuda con algunos subtítulos o con algún tema de diseño web, no dudes en decírmelo, estaré encantado de poder ayudarte.

    ¡Muchas gracias por todo! Espero que estés bien 🙂

    ¡Un saludo desde Toledo!

    • Ben Lustenhouwer October 30, 2023 — Post author

      Muchas gracias Damián por tu comentario. Me alegro mucho que mis videos te han ayudado. Por eso lo he hecho y sigo hachiéndolo. Un saludo desde Chelva Valencia.

  61. Debaprasad Chowdhury January 10, 2024

    I like your art work.

  62. Rosie Ratigan January 17, 2024

    Dear Ben, I recently discovered your wonderful portrait painting lessons on you tube! I have watched several and can’t wait to watch more. Your painting of your dear grand daughter was wonderful to watch and observe. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for sharing your tips, talents and treasures with all of us who call themselves artists. I love your colorful loose style with confident brush strokes which excites me as an artist. I was sorry to read that you are no longer excepting commission portraits as I would love to have you do one. My portraits are more of birds and the beautiful Wyoming landscape around me. Thank you again for sharing your beautiful talent with all of us. God bless you.

  63. Gurmi Lama February 3, 2024

    Hi Ben,
    I have seen your videos on YouTube and they are amazing. Thank you for sharing your talents and teaching abut portrait painting and, by the way, you are a good teacher.

  64. Mina "Min" Koury Martin February 6, 2024

    Dearest Ben, I hope this finds you doing well! I discovered and watched your process of capturing your lovely sweet grand-daughter on canvas. Afterward, found your website and Gallery of Favortites. After viewing hundreds of thousands of artworks, many portraits, I can say without reservation that I have witnessed in my own lifetime a true MASTER, Ben Lustenhouwer, sharing expertise frankly and graciously, on YouTube. I view your work to be better than most throughout history, including those worth millions of dollars hanging forlornly in museums. I have been a Creative since I was tiny and have always thought that someday, I might learn enough to study with a MASTER and attempt portraits. However – up until tonight – seeing and listening to you in your studio, I believed it to be impossible for me, and was too intimidated to begin. If you look at my website, which is: http://www.MinaKouryMartin.com you may recognize that I suffer from avoidance, producing hundreds of works, yet no portraits! Now, I strongly feel the methods learned from just your one video may change my life, and was ecstatic to find there are several more videos available! Thank You so much, Ben for generously sharing methods and tips you built through trial and error in your lifetime. I am inspired, humbled, grateful, encouraged, and determined all at the same time! My Very Best, Min Martin

    • Ben Lustenhouwer February 6, 2024 — Post author

      Dear Mina. I am honored by your kind words an glad that the work I do is applicable to your learning process. Kind regards.
      Ben.

  65. Walt Kozier May 18, 2024

    Ben:
    I have been watching your videos on you tube for some time now and I am still learning. I just turned 95 and still painting.
    I studied with Jacque Maroger years ago, founder of the Maroger medium. Do you use a medium? Also,what kind of substrate do you paint on your video? Your videos are very informative.I will be watching them at my centurion celebration.
    Walt Kozier

    • Ben Lustenhouwer May 20, 2024 — Post author

      Walt I hardly use medium as my paint ( Rembrandt /Talens) is rather oily. I paint on several stuff, Panel, canvas, canvas board.

  66. Umer August 15, 2024

    Dear Ben,

    I hope my message finds you in best of health. Waiting anxiously for your new detailed video / tutorial on youtube
    I have a question for you
    1. You have recommended George Bridgman and Hogarth book for learning how to draw head. Can you please suggest a method on how to study and get maximum benefits out of these books. It might sound stupid, can you please teach how to learn to draw from these books.

    Lastly, if possible, please make a detailed tutorial covering how to draw from Charcoal. It should cover all the fundamentals that are used most often when drawing with this medium.

    Thank you for every thing.

    • Ben Lustenhouwer August 17, 2024 — Post author

      Hi. Teaching drawing is almost impossible in a video. I should have to see the student let us say every week and that for years.

  67. Neliza Lieber October 25, 2024

    I have been learning from your videos for a few years now. I still use the palette you teach in the 3 zones of the face. That has really improved my work. Still not as painterly as what I would have liked. I still tend to recreate the reference photo instead of making a painting. But most importantly is that I LOVE painting.

    My daughter and I are visiting the Netherlands next year and maybe I will be lucky enough to join a workshop. That would be SO COOL!

    • Ben Lustenhouwer October 25, 2024 — Post author

      Hi Neliza. Thank you for your nice comment. I am sorry to say that I don´t have a plan for workshops yet, apart from that I live in Spain. But I am planning private teaching online. Kind regards.

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