R | A Hundred Faces: A Custom Children’s Portrait

R’s portrait began with a moment beside a tree: a six-year-old in a red sweater, looking toward the camera with a smile all his own.

I wanted to hold onto that warmth—the brown eyes, the tumble of curls, the open grin—while giving the image the color and expressive brushwork of a painting. In the finished portrait, the vivid red of his sweater stands out against a soft green background, echoing the setting in the photograph.

There’s plenty of energy behind that smile. R is a LEGO builder, a Pokémon enthusiast, and a natural leader, full of ideas and determination. He’s also a devoted big brother and a loyal friend, with a particularly tender place in his heart for his Mimi.

R’s Mimi is a dear friend of mine, so this portrait meant a great deal to paint. I hoped to capture more than his likeness: the lively, affectionate spirit that makes him unmistakably R.

This original acrylic is part of A Hundred Faces, my collection of expressive portraits celebrating the individuality of each child I paint. Every face has its own story; R’s begins with that unforgettable smile.

Kara Manza is an Austin, Texas artist creating original acrylic paintings and custom children’s portraits.