Scary but Cute: Custom Dad & Baby Mirror Portrait Commission

This is one of the most unique family moments I’ve ever had the pleasure of painting: a perfect blend of theatrical "scary" makeup and the raw, honest emotion of a baby’s first "fright."

The Story of the Mirror Selfie

When Stephanie sent me this reference, I was immediately obsessed with the contrast. Capturing a dad in full dramatic makeup holding his crying baby in front of a mirror is a masterclass in storytelling. To elevate the drama of this custom oil painting, I actually "opened" the eyes of the subjects a bit more during the process, making the hand-painted portrait feel even more intense and engaging. It captures that exact split-second where "scary" meets "cute" in a way only modern expressionism can.

I made sure to keep the small, authentic details that make this personalized gift so special—like the baby's "PART T-REX" shirt, painted backwards just as it appeared in the mirror reflection. Using my signature thick impasto and luminous shadows, I transformed this family portrait painting into a luminous work of art. The buttery texture of the oil paint brings a tactile depth to the scene, turning a funny family memory into a striking original artwork that radiates energy from across the room.

Why this commission is a chromatic gem

• High-Contrast Emotion: I focused on the spectral highlights in the eyes to capture the intensity of the "scary but cute" duality.
• Authentic Mirror Perspective: Includes the reversed "PART T-REX" lettering to preserve the original storytelling of the selfie.
• Tactile Impasto: Every brushstroke is heavy and visible, giving the skin tones and makeup a 3D, buttery texture.
• Bespoke Palette: I used neon-infused shadows to keep the dark makeup vibrant and full of chromatic depth.

Technical Details

• Original Oil painting
• 30x30 cm (12x12 inches)
• Handmade prepared wood panel
• Certificate of Authenticity (COA) included
• Worldwide tracked/insured shipping