Who is Andre Peren? Artist & Portrait Creator

Hello!

Hello! My name is Andrii Perenko, and I’m a portrait and fine art painter. I’ve been creating artworks on commission since 2014, using traditional techniques — oil on canvas, pencil on paper, and mixed media.

Today, I live and work in Varna (Bulgaria) and ship artworks across Europe. Every portrait I create is hand-drawn or painted with care and emotion — no digital filters, no printing. Just real, personal art.

Here, I’d like to share answers to some frequently asked questions, such as:

How are these paintings created, and what makes them special?

How do artists deceive, and who deceives them?

Why shouldn’t you order a portrait? Or perhaps you should?

How are paintings created?
After the client places an order and makes an advance payment, all they have to do is wait, while for me, the most exciting part begins.
I’d like to share the process of creating a painting. Honestly, I don’t really like doing this — it distracts me from drawing, and at different stages, the work often doesn’t look “great.” For this example, I chose one of my family photos. Selecting a photo turned out to be quite a challenge since I don’t have many. Most are stored in my mother’s albums, and I have very few digital ones where we’re all together. At that moment, I remembered how some clients used to complain about the same thing, and I couldn’t understand why. Eventually, I found a photo I liked. It’s quite pastoral and a bit old — I must be around six years old. The picture was taken in Poltava (Ukraine), in my aunt’s garden.

1 - So, I chose the 50x60 cm format – it’s a medium size. At the very beginning, to transfer the image from the photo to the canvas, I use a grid for transferring proportions – a very old method, but it saves a lot of time and effort. The grid is drawn on the canvas with a pencil (photo 2). Then, I sketch the image with a pencil and add the underpainting layer with paint (photo 3). At this stage, my image always looks very different from the original. Honestly, I’ve always been amazed when I see other artists sharing the entire process of creating a painting – for them, it’s interesting and often looks beautiful, but I would never share it with a client because, for me, this stage is pure chaos.
4 - This is a photo of the work after the underpainting has dried – some of the paint has run, but that’s normal. Once the layer of paint dries, I continue working on it.

5,6 - Transforming chaos into a finished painting is not always a pretty sight – it’s a long process of 5 to 10 sessions (for me, one session lasts 2 to 5 hours, with breaks in between). During these stages, the objects in the painting change, are corrected, and the process is influenced by many factors. I don’t like distractions, so I’ve always wondered how people manage to film their work – I can’t even talk while I paint. When an artist works on a painting, they step back, look at it, and take breaks to view it with fresh eyes, noticing and fixing mistakes.

I learned how to paint properly back in art school. Over the years of working on commissions, I’ve discovered which rules can be bent and which cannot, and I’ve developed my own method (every artist has their own way of working, depending on what suits them). For example, I first outline the figures of the people, often relying on my eye for proportions. Then I start working on the background and objects, aiming for even progress without over-detailing everything – as shown in photo 7, the greenery is marked with brushstrokes.

8-10 - The secret here is that if you layer wet paint over a dried layer and refine each new layer in greater detail, repeating this 3 to 5 times, you achieve a sense of depth, and the shades become richer – hooray! The catch is that this technique takes much more time and effort for a single piece.

11 - The final touches, and the portrait is complete! In total, the work took about 24 hours or 12 days (including the days I took breaks to let the paint dry).

What materials do I use: I always work with fine-grain canvases (they remind me of sandpaper in texture) because they’re perfect for detailing. The oil paints I use are only from the best brands – "Nevskaya Palitra," "Rembrandt," and "Van Gogh." After experimenting with other paints, I’ve confirmed the superior quality of these.

How can you tell the quality of paint?
Once fully dried, the colors of the painting don’t fade or become dull. Ideally, all colors remain vibrant, and the texture of the dried painting varies from slightly velvety to a wet-paint effect in different areas.

This effect is achieved using varnishes and solvents. Varnishes provide gloss after drying and, like solvents, speed up the drying process. The difference is that after using a solvent, the dried paint becomes velvety and slightly less vibrant, while varnishes preserve the gloss and vivid colors – this is perfectly normal.

For a fully finished look, the painting is always coated with a final layer of varnish. This is done once the painting has completely dried – typically 3 to 7 months later. The varnish protects the artwork from UV rays and dust, giving it a final appearance – “like in a museum”.

What Makes a Painting Special?

In today’s digital world of AI, mass production, and fast trends, truly personal and lasting things matter more than ever. A hand-painted portrait isn’t just art — it’s a memory, a story, and a deeply meaningful object that connects us to the people and moments we love.

I have a special connection to old paintings, especially those created from faded photographs. There's something powerful in them — a sense of history, intimacy, and emotion. When a portrait captures your grandparents, a beloved pet, or a familiar landscape from your past, it becomes more than decoration. It becomes a part of your life and your legacy.

We often inherit only a few old photos, a watch that no longer ticks, or a small piece of jewelry. But what if you could leave behind something timeless — a portrait that your children and grandchildren will keep and remember?

I believe beauty, family, and emotional connection are essential — not a luxury. That’s why I create art that tells a story. Your story.
If you value uniqueness, emotion, and timeless beauty, a custom portrait might be exactly what you're looking for.

Personal support you can count on
Some clients worry that working with an artist might be complicated or unclear. That’s why I stay in touch throughout the entire process — from the first message to delivery. You can always ask questions, share your ideas, and expect honest, friendly communication at every step.