Day 79: Chris Saper

“Over the past twenty-four years, I've painted nearly every day, and through a combination of painting, teaching and writing, have learned more than I'd ever dreamed possible about color. It's glorious in every way, from the translucent skin tones of the fairest redhead, to the riotous, explosive colors of bougainvillea.” —Chris Saper

Since beginning her commission portrait painting practice in 1991, Saper has completed almost 400 commissioned portraits nationally, authored four books and filmed four DVDs on portraiture. "I love the discipline of working with clients in a shared vision of the portrait to be painted. There's a satisfying result when I can achieve beautiful skin tones, accurate likenesses, and yet still paint a lovely piece of art."

Chris's newest instructional book, Classic Portrait Painting in Oils: Keys to Mastering Diverse Skin Toneswas released by North Light Books in January, 2012. She has also authored North Light Books' Painting Beautiful Skin Tones in Color and Light (2001), For Love or Money: a Business Handbook for Portrait Painters and Mostly Monochchrome (also at www.Blurb.com).

She has also been published in:

Saper's first two instructional DVDs, Painting Oil Portraits in Warm Light and Capturing the Beauty of Monochrome Oil Portraits were created in conjunction with www.artistsnetwork.tv, a division of North Light Books. Her latest DVDs, Painting Oil Portraits in Cool Light and Mixing Skin Tones were released in December 2011.

Saper's passion for color and design is a natural segue into painting the opulent still life and floral work for which she is rapidly becoming known. Saper's body of still life work has been described as lush, confident and lively.

A native of Wisconsin, she holds a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts and a Master's Degree in Health Care Administration. She has lived in Phoenix, AZ since 1977. 

In addition to Chris's portrait commission schedule, she is an active public speaker/painting demonstrator. She has served on the Faculty of the Portrait Society of America and has taught portraiture at the Scottsdale Artist's School, the Mountain Artists' Guild in Prescott, AZ, and the Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists. Saper has exhibited at the US Senate Rotunda, The Salmagundi Club and The National Arts Club in New York City, the Bennington Center for the Arts, the Tempe Arts Center and the Insight Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX.

The Best of Portrait Painting Artist's Magazine American Artist International Artist Magazine Pastel Artist International Saper's first two instructional DVDs, Painting Oil Portraits in Warm Light and Capturing the Beauty of Monochrome Oil Portraits were created in conjunction with www.artistsnetwork.tv, a division of North Light Books. Her latest DVDs, Painting Oil Portraits in Cool Light and Mixing Skin Tones were released in December 2011. Saper's passion for color and design is a natural segue into painting the opulent still life and floral work for which she is rapidly becoming known. Saper's body of still life work has been described as lush, confident and lively. A native of Wisconsin, she holds a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts and a Master's Degree in Health Care Administration. She has lived in Phoenix, AZ since 1977. In addition to Chris's portrait commission schedule, she is an active public speaker/painting demonstrator. She has served on the Faculty of the Portrait Society of America and has taught portraiture at the Scottsdale Artist's School, the Mountain Artists' Guild in Prescott, AZ, and the Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists. Saper has exhibited at the US Senate Rotunda, The Salmagundi Club and The National Arts Club in New York City, the Bennington Center for the Arts, the Tempe Arts Center and the Insight Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX. Heidi, oil, commissioned portrait Charlotte L oil Denise Resnik Boy in Blue, oil, commissioned portrait Catie, oil