Portrait of Jenny, 6" x 8"

I'm back!
Here's a recent portrait sketch I did of a delightful young girl, in a pensive pose. The lighting was natural, which means what we happened to have that day—overhead daylight flourescent and sunlight through windows. Despite the challenge, it was a pleasure to paint Jenny and I hope to paint her again in the near future.

Son, 11 x 14"

Well, you've met the kitties. This is my son, Stefan, proud owner of Fred and Jacques. Working from a photo, which I haven't often done, I found it easier to focus on other aspects of painting. The drawing stage is easy since Stefan didn't move a bit! The fact that it's already two dimensional made it easier to see the colors and values of the photo, too, I suspect. I started this painting in Cameron's class and once again, was so excited, I couldn't wait to work on it at home. I stayed up late and nearly finished it and then tweaked it once or twice after that. I'm glad I captured Stefan in his teens. Now I need to do another painting of my older son, Marc, using what I've learned. Hopefully Marc will pose for me again...live. (I do prefer that!)

In between, I've experimented on my smaller paintings using Liquin and then no medium, thin, thick, fluid and not. Eventually I'd like to combine techniques. So much to learn and sometimes it feels like there's so little time! Having fun, though. Thanks for visiting!

Kitties! Meet Fred and Jacques, 6x8"

Over the last few months, our younger son has been begging and then showing his maturity and readiness to care for his/our new family members: Fred and Jacques. The brothers put smiles on our faces with their antics. Although I'm helping Stefan out a little with the cat chores, he's doing a really good job! For this commissioned portrait, Stefan has asked me to work a little bit more on their eyes.

After Sargent, Carmela Bertagna, 11" x 14"

I thought I'd catch you up with other work I've been doing. I'm taking a class with Cameron Bennett, concentrating on portraits. Use of any medium is not allowed where the class is held, so we do without it. What an experience! I actually enjoyed it. I was so excited that I couldn't wait to work on it once I returned home (at 9 pm). I forgot that I tried painting without medium once before, but it didn't feel comfortable to me then. I loved the ease of sketching lightly with paint to start and then building up the paint, making it thicker. This photo was taken in north light (the canvas looks very cool); I used my cell phone, since I had no camera handy!

Sardonic Son, 16 x 12"

This is where I am right now. I remind myself often that there's so much to learn. Impatience, be gone!

Here's my older son, painted from life. He's not all that lively looking, since I let him watch a movie on the computer while I painted him. What an excellent, conscientious model he was, though. Who knew?! He carefully assumed the same position each time after getting movie snacks. I may ask him to pose again, sans movie, since he was so good, with the hope of achieving the kind of likeness I enjoy each day. The hands are sketchy since it was a great challenge just to get the face as you see it. I see errors in my drawing and that's good.

Here's the question: what do I do with this? Leave it as a learning experience and move onto the next or see if I can lure my model back so I can improve and "finish" it? By the way, when my son saw the painting, he was genuinely amused and laughed at how "sardonic" he looked. Title courtesy of son.

Honest—Abe, oil, 6 x 4.5"

I'm finally on the mend. When we were around 4-years old, my twin sister and I were sick at the same time (surprise!) and we were drifting in and out of feverish sleep in our parents' bedroom (easier access for our Mom). It made such an impression on me, how slowly time seemed to pass. This time, I felt that same sensation of time slowing. I'd like to hold onto that feeling once I get back into full swing of things. Goal: Be healthy, but enjoy Pockets of Slow Time.

This little painting is in response to the Daily Paintworks Challenge, part one: Using Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Umber and White, paint Abraham Lincoln in a neutral gray. I don't remember ever painting this way before, although I've read about it. Great exercise. Click here to see the many paintings submitted to this challenge: Daily Paintworks Lincoln Challenge.
Honest—Abe, 6 x 4.5", $50 SOLD

Portrait in Progress

I just returned home the other day after taking my older son, seen here, to visit colleges. Its such an exciting time for him and for us. Unfortunately, I brought home a bad cold, too. Hoping to be feeling better very soon!

Since I usually work from life, painting from a photograph is a challenge for me. I'm going to consider this stage an underpainting and will spend today carefully mixing colors and thinking about my next moves! The size is 11 x 14, and what you don't see here is a little more of my younger son in the foreground on the left and a bit of the scene on the right. Technically, I'm nervous about how to proceed...is it better to use retouch varnish? "oil it out"? scumble paint on top of what I've done? I imagine I'll learn a lot by doing.

Wish me luck!

After Sargent, Head of a Capri Girl, 8 x 10"

Head of a Capri Girl by John Singer Sargent

What an experience, to carefully look and attempt to copy a painting by a master!

My darks could be darker and I should use more paint and medium, since the thinner paint seems to have been absorbed by the canvas. My drawing and colors are a bit off, which is so clear when I look at these small, posted images. (Want a good laugh? In my painting, her ears must be pierced in different places! The earring on our left is too high.)  In the future, I'll try viewing my work in a mirror and see if that helps. It was a lot to take on, but what a blast to do! I can definitely see the value of exercises like this.

In the meantime, I'm working on a portrait of my older son, from a photograph. Stay tuned, and thanks so much for visiting.

Homework? 6 x 6"

Well the Bird, Bottle, Egg painting is drying and I'll post it soon. Sometimes you are where you are and you hope a painting becomes a stepping stone to better things. Sometimes you're just too close for perspective! So, I decided to turn around and paint this quick sketch of my son, while he was doing homework, (or was he playing?!), on the computer. Anyway, he was kind enough to linger just long enough. I love painting from life and seeing the nuances of color and light. It's capturing them that's the challenge!

Portrait Sketch, Tineke, 12 x 9"

Tineke posed for me while working on her laptop. The lighting was fascinating. There was evening light coming in a nearby window and cool light from her laptop screen below, shining up on her face; there was also warm light from a nearby lamp. I realize it's time for me to get new glasses: colors I had painted right next to each other were not as accurately placed as I thought! Even so, it was great fun to paint.