Donald Drake Fine Art Gallery

Portraits: Procedures and Pricing

Portraits that Capture More Than a Likeness-They Capture a Life

Where Legacy Meets Leadership

Whether for your family, firm, business, or academic institution, Don’s portraits honor the people whose integrity and influence continue to inspire. Each painting reflects not only a striking likeness, but the strength of character that endures long after the sitting is done.

If you’ve ever imagined a portrait of someone you love—or a leader, attorney, or educator whose life deserves to be remembered—don’t stop here. Scroll to the bottom of the page to learn how the process works and review pricing. And don’t miss the brief video, where you’ll see Don in action—capturing likeness and presence with extraordinary precision and heart.

Don Drake

About the Artist

If You’ve Ever Felt Weathered—But Still Standing

If you’ve ever felt weathered by life—but still standing—you’ll understand what draws me to paint.

I’m drawn to the spaces where endurance and beauty meet—the places and people shaped by time, tested by storms, and still standing with quiet grace. There’s something sacred in what endures. A house that’s held its ground against decades of wind and sea, a landscape that remembers every season, a face that carries its years honestly—these are reminders that strength isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s just steady.

Painting for me is an act of noticing that steadiness. It’s a way of saying, “This matters. This has meaning.” Every brushstroke is both prayer and response—an acknowledgment of what’s been weathered, and a testament to what remains.

In every piece, I hope to offer something more than an image. I want to offer a moment of peace, a reminder of resilience, a glimpse of quiet strength.

I make paintings to help people feel grounded in their own endurance—to remember that what has been tested can also be transformed, and that beauty often lives right at the edge of what we’ve survived.

Creating what will one day hang on your wall

From a young age, I’ve been drawn to the challenge of capturing a likeness—of studying a face and bringing it to life with brush and color. My classical training at Boston University and American University emphasized the mastery of the human figure, but even then, I knew it was never just about anatomy. It was about soul.

I remember the exact moment I found my direction. While standing in line at a grocery store, I saw Aaron Shikler’s portrait of President Ronald Reagan on the cover of a magazine. Something shifted. I knew then—this is what I was meant to do: paint portraits that honor and endure.

Since that day, portraiture has been my focus and my passion.

My goal is never just to achieve a technical likeness. I strive to uncover what lies beneath the surface—the essence of a person, their history, their quiet strength or vibrant energy. I believe a true portrait reveals the eternal.

To get there, I immerse myself in the subject’s world. I welcome stories from family, input from colleagues, and insight from those who know the subject best. These voices help shape a portrait that is not only accurate, but meaningful—something that captures a life, not just a face.

I want my portraits to inspire, to compel, to remind us of the power of a single life fully lived.

“We had such an incredible experience using Don to paint a portrait for my brother-in-law and his wife for a wedding gift."

"He captured every little detail from the joy on their faces to their playful demeanor in the picture. When we gifted it to them the look on their faces was priceless!!! They were so thrilled for such a meaningful piece of art that they will be able to share for many years to come. We are incredibly blessed and grateful for Don's hard work and amazing talent on this portrait. We are also incredibly impressed with the turnaround time as well. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts Don!!!”-Jason and Lisa

“You excel at pastel portraits”

-Marvin S Sadik: Director Emeritus, National Portrait Gallery, Washington DC

Commissioning a Portrait

Welcome to Portrait Procedures and Pricing

Thank you for considering Don to paint your next portrait.

"With a deep passion for capturing the essence of individuals through portraiture, my objective extends beyond mere likeness. I strive to create a timeless work of art that will endure through generations. My extensive study of renowned masters such as Velasquez, Rembrandt, and John Singer Sargent has honed my skills and instilled in me a wealth of knowledge and experience. I am eager to share this expertise with your esteemed clientele, contributing to the creation of exceptional portraits that will resonate with audiences for years to come." -Don

Procedures:

You may have many questions. I have attempted to address most of the frequently asked questions below. I prefer to paint portraits from life whenever feasible. However, demanding schedules and active children often make that ideal challenging. Consequently, I also work from photographs. Whenever possible, I create my own reference material. However, that is not always feasible. I can paint portraits from materials provided by clients.