His portraits often feature large family groups. He used allegorical themes to elevate these domestic scenes. In works like "Portret van een vrouw met vier kinderen, voorgesteld als Caritas", he depicts a mother as the personification of Charity. His brushwork is softer than the late style of his teacher. He preferred a smooth finish and clear lighting. This approach made his work popular with merchants like Cornelis Nuyts and aristocrats alike.

Collectors appreciate Ovens for his ability to capture personality within formal structures. His paintings of children and families feel personal despite their grand scale. The clear compositions and balanced colours work well in traditional and contemporary interiors. These prints offer a window into the private lives of the seventeenth-century elite. They provide a sense of history without the heavy shadows often found in other Baroque art.