The Second Annual Great WC! Holiday Portrait Swap! Post your work & wips here!!!

[JCoop]

Okay WC!ers, it's
OOOOOOH! and AAAAAAH! Time!!!

Here's where you post your final artwork for
The Second Annual Great WC! Holiday Portrait Swap!

Start contacting your partner and begin swaping your photos! :eek: Try to use a photo taken in natural light... such as window light. Please don't use photographs taken with a camera-mounted flash, as the lighting tends to be undesirable. Send your partner a JPEG (to his/her email address) image large enough to easily see details.

Click here (http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4006935&postcount=50) to see who you've been paired with!

Remember to post your partner's "member" name and their original
reference photo (if they’ve given you permission to do so) along with your finished portrait of them.

Post your final artwork at a size of aproximately 500X600 pixels.

Also, if you'd like to post progress images, go for it!

PM or Email your partner when you're finished to arrange your actual "Physical" portrait swap at your own personal conveniences.

This thread will be open for posting until November 28th.
If anyone has any questions about the event click here (http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=302171&page=1&pp=15) for an overview.

Let's see some artwork!
POST AWAY!!!

[alfredart]

Okay guys, I guess I'll go first.

Here's my start but I have several more layers to go.

Eileen (eileenclaire)

Looks like this is going to be 16X20 to 18X24 somewhere in there. Done with Derwent Drawing pencils on Strathmore drawing paper. As always working in three color.

Right now I'm working on two paintings and this as well so I have plenty to keep me busy. (ha) It's been awhile since I've done a portrait so I really jumped on this one.

Eileen, I hope you like.

Peace,
AL

[ExpressiveAngie]

Woo Hoo! Here we go! Al its just beautiful already and Eileen your eyes are shaped just like my 4 yr olds , the way they dip down on the outside corners!

[rimbauds shop]

Crikey you're fast. Fast and good.

I'd be unsurprised if you'd got the next layer in by the time I finish typing this :D .

Mark and I haven't even exchanged photos yet :eek: .

Eileen...good to see what you look like (well bigger than a tiny head anyway)after having many a giggle from your wit.

[Cntrymouse]

It never ceases to amaze me at how I can get so confused and lost in a website I have belonged to for years!! LOL! I looked and didn't find any listing of this project anywhere in the Project forum and now checking here in the portraiture forum I only find a thread containing all the information listed where I read about it! There isn't the usual beginning page where you sign up and then post your finished work when you are done! How does one join this project?

[maria_khurram]

Alfred, fantastic start............WOW. I look forward to it's finish. :clap: :clap:

[eileenclaire]

Al, opening up this thread and seeing your WIP put a big smile on my face. But now you have me biting my nails - you are raising the bar here, and I hope I can do yours justice!

Carolyn, this isn't in the project system, so that's why you couldn't find it there. The closing date for sign ups has passed, and I believe that all participants have been assigned a partner (but I'll double check that :) ).

[JCoop]

Eileen, not to worry... we know you will do just great!

Seems AL has everything under control. The way he defines a face is just genius... all of the subtle tones are remarkable! AL, Thanks for getting us off to a rousing start!!! I'll be looking for your updates. Great stuff!:)

[Cntrymouse]

Carolyn, this isn't in the project system, so that's why you couldn't find it there. The closing date for sign ups has passed, and I believe that all participants have been assigned a partner (but I'll double check that :) ).[/QUOTE]

Thank you for clearing that up! It sounded like a fun thing to do! Is it only posted in the Portaiture Forum? I first saw it when I signed on ... in the column where they list the Week-end Drawing projects. But if you all do portraits on a regular basis ... that might have been a challenge to me! I have done several ... but maybe not good enough for something where everyone belongs to a portaiture forum! But thank you for letting me know the sign-up is past. If for some reason you still need another participant ... I'm here!

[Miss J]

This is my new and beautiful friend MaryHawk - Mary - this has been great fun to work on....hope you like it :)

All work was done in Photoshop CS using a combination of filters / hand strokes - Digital surface - "Wax Crayon on Charcoal Paper" Print size - 11x14 / Epson Enhanced Matte.

[Studio224]

WOW!!! It's been a good morning opening up my favorite WC channel and looking at these portraits! Yabby and I have exchanged photos and started working but I'm not ready to show a WIP yet!

[ExpressiveAngie]

Jane Ann I love the way yor have made Mary's eyes the focal point of this most lovely portrait! Outstanding!

[JCoop]

Miss J, very nice work! You've gotten rid of the distractions and have really done a excellent job of putting the focus where it should be. A very pleasing portrait, indeed!:)

[rosebard]

Nice portraits already on the way. Very inspiring. :)

[Miss J]

Thank you Joel and Mamma...you are both very kind!

I was alittle reluctant to present a "Digital Portrait" but if anyone here knows me - Digital is my preferred medium - I fell head over heals in love with it when I discovered the unlimited possibilities of Photoshop when working for CPQ Colorchrome several years ago - I truly believe Digital is the future of the art world and I am very pleased to see it being accepted here. :)

[jocelynsart]

Omg! They are great so far!!!! I love the look of the digital one alot. Al, excellent as usual.

Jocelyn

[kptad2]

Thank you Joel and Mamma...you are both very kind!

I was alittle reluctant to present a "Digital Portrait" but if anyone here knows me - Digital is my preferred medium - I fell head over heals in love with it when I discovered the unlimited possibilities of Photoshop when working for CPQ Colorchrome several years ago - I truly believe Digital is the future of the art world and I am very pleased to see it being accepted here. :)

i have felt the same way.. cause ya know thats where im at as well....
and i dont think Joel would have XP in teh Digi forums/ if that wasnt accepted.. or at least im hoping that ;) ...

im having technical difficulties with my new image ... but will post something as soon as possible....

GRASSHOPPER im trying realllly hard over here.. :rolleyes: :D

miss jay love the texture and feel of the whoel thing of the whole :clap: thing ...

[Maryhawk]

Wow and WOW and HOLY COW WOW!!!!!!!!!! Jane Ann, this is beyond stunning, I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love it!!!!!!!!! Please give us some insight on how you do this digital work, a step-by-step, perhaps??

Thank you so much,
Maryhawk

[alfredart]

Nice job MissJ. Good to see some more work getting up here. I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.

Eileen thanks, glad I made ya smile. Don't worry about me raising the bar here. My arm hurts so I can only get it waist high.

Thank you all for the wonderful comments and kind words.

Alittle more done on this yesterday. Thought I'd add some background to it so I played around with the plant in the background of her pic just to give it something. I still have alittle ways to go on this... hmmmm... maybe enough time for another one.

Anyway here's an update.
I'm sorry about the picture, I'll try and get a better shot next time. Bad lighting.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/31-Oct-2005/37195-eileen1.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/31-Oct-2005/37195-eil2.jpg

Peace,
AL

[Miss J]

Gosh guys....I think she likes it! :p

Al - love your talent!

Mary - I am not a teacher but I will try to post a few tips when this is over. - I'm so happy you are pleased - I saw a beautiful peace inside you.....thats what I tried to bring out.....

[yabby]

OMG! Seeing Alfredart and Miss J works, I am relunctant to show you my first CP portrait... Please feel free to C&C :)
I hope Studio224 (Anne-Claire) will like this one.

Edit: Paper 9x12 in. 160g CP conté

[terence p]

Terrific portraits submitted so far by Al and Jane. can see why the subjects are pleased. Here is my portrait of Kathleen at its current stage. More to do and any suggestions welcome.

this is a pastel done on Wallis with soft pastels

[eileenclaire]

Jane Ann, that is a wonderful portrait!

Yabby, your first CP portrait? That is very nicely done! Your draftsmanship skills are shining through on this. You have a great photo to work from - Ann-Claire, it is nice to see you!

Terry, those skin tones are glowing! An excellent start.

Al, you are amazing! You not only have my likeness, but you have uncannily captured that plant behind me! How do you do it???

[jhercilia]

Wonderful portraits around!
Too bad I missed the dateline.

[Grasshopper]

Lordy these are lookin' good. Terence, stunning. How do you start your portraits? Do you copy the outlines of the picture itself?

[JCoop]

AL, You're such a pro!

yabby, not to worry, your portrait looks great!... you have your own style and it works!

Terry, what a gift!... I really love the luminous feel of the skin. Wow!

[Candle]

Terry, I just can't tell you how impressed I am! The likeness is so accurate. I work with soft pastel too. Any insight you would be willing to give regarding your process would be most welcome.

[Anita Murphy]

Such amazing work!

Al - well its always a wow with you!

Yabby - super work - you're off to a great start!

Terence - this is a lovely portrait - what a lovely smiling cheerful Kathleen - you have captured her character.

Jane Ann - totally original - good digital work is so amazing!

I am totally terrified now to be in such exalted company!!!!

[imperess]

WOW!! you guys are so quick!!

I am sure i'll be the last to post mine LOL I just got the photos so i hope to start on it this week some time.

anyway, great stuff so far!!


~Carol

[Miss J]

Al - the plant balances the composition out well - I see her personality starting to emerge -

Yabby - you added the element of mystery with her eyes looking it the other direction - the soft almost unnoticed smile makes this a most intriguing portrait indeed.

Terence - I have never used pastels and wish I could master them as you have here
looking foward to the finished one!

[Studio224]

I have seen beautiful work so far! Yabby, you have me made younger then I look.. No problem! I'm delighted...

I'm not so advanced on Yabby's portrait, so far he is just a line drawing that i hope to start rendering tomorrow.

[Spyderbabe]

Just popping in to say 'hi' - when that file of my picture by Terry downloaded and slowly opened I was blown away!! My goodness the likeness is amazing.
I am more than a little intimidated!!!.....
............... back to the studio for me!!!

[Grasshopper]

Here's my freehand sketch of kptad, just in graphite and using an eraser, which doesn't work so hot on my practice bristol paper - makes it mottled and doesn't erase well at all. It needs more work and I will be doing it over on good toned paper. Likeness isn't quite there but this is what I have so far... My subject is just gorgeous but I still wish she was bald. I'm scared of her hair...

[kptad2]

lol sorry Grasshoper.. wish i could help out there...lol
:D My subject is just gorgeous but I still wish she was bald. I'm scared of her hair... :D
i thinks its comming out ..veyr nicely!!. :D

[yabby]

Hi evryone,
Studio224 - I know you'll be do fine! I looked at your other posts ;-)
Miss J - eyes looking another way : yes I was asking the model to look away from me ;-) too shy...
present - a great start: not sure, but I will post an update soon
Jcoop - my own style suit me i'm impressionist oil type... ;-)
eileenclaire - first CP portrait? yes indeed I started an oil self portrait in 1999 and did my daughters and DW but since then no portrait only faces from time to time always with oil.

and for all, I am also working on a portrait of Anne-claire Studio224 with pastel 36x48cm, I'll post a WIP soon.


Grashoper - promising sketch
terrence p - No suggestion. You did a beautiful portrait, likeliness and all.

[alfredart]

Grasshopper,you'll do fine on the hair. Look at the darks and lights and not the hairs themselves.
Terry, beautiful as always. Really well done.
Yabby, I really like the way you did this one. Very light and a good likeness.
Anne, looks like you're off to a good start with the likeness. What a wonderful photo you have to work with.

Well guys, thanks so for the comments. I found some time before work yesterday to get alittle more done on this. Still playing around with the background. I also downloaded the pic from last year for a different angle on things and to count freckles. Again, it's raining right now so good pics are hard to come by, so the colors or off a bit and alittle grainey but you get the idea.

Anyway, here's an update for today.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Nov-2005/37195-eil3.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Nov-2005/37195-eil3a.jpg

Peace,
AL

[Grasshopper]

I just have to ask because it's driving me crazy, and it's a possibility I'm too hard & demanding of myself. Do you guys do your portraits freehand?

[yabby]

Grasshopper - I do freehand sketches only. For portrait I make a grid or carbon copy to get the main lines... and even with that, my portraits are not like the models ;-)

[terence p]

what a talented group here. they are all looking great. I have to get back and do some changes but havent had achance today.

Grasshopper, your likeness of the woman is very good, especially the eyes. You caught her look exactly. When you do the hair it will all pull together.

As to your questions, I dont know how others do a portrait, but I prefer to do the portrait freehand. However, I use a mirror frequently to get a different view and make sure the features are lined up properly. I also like to work overall without going into detail until I am further along. This also keeps the values in relation to one another. However, in doing this portrait I neglected all my own suggestions. I didnt look often in the mirror and then got carried away doing detail on the mouth and teeth. And I was really pleased UNTIL I looked in the mirror. I found that I had made the mouth too large- the corner should have lined up with the middle of eye and I had it going to the end. I then had to wipeout the entire mouth and start over again.
Sometimes when I am doing a commissioned portrait where likeness is so important, I will try to blow up the photo and trace it onto the paper, but only for the position of the features, angle of head etc. I tighen up enough as it is when I do a commissioned piece, if I traced details I would be even more tight.

[kptad2]

grasshopper its ok to use my first name...... =)) its kim for all who do not know me .. =) ... not i have a better image of grasshopper adn willget crackin on it this evening ,,,, and im hoping to b ablet o post the one i haev comleted already along with new one.... off to do my stuff be back later .. kim

[Grasshopper]

Terence, I tend to be very tight, too. I've been trying to loosen up some. It never occurred to me to use a tracing for anything further than head outline and feature placement; that wouldn't be fun at all, and it'd be pointless. What I've tried is freehand for all first. My plan is to trace outline and eyes/nose/mouth placement by tracing if I fail to succeed with the freehand effort. For me, this will prevent me from using anything as a crutch and losing skills. I just can't do that to myself. It's too easy to fall into a trap. I even found myself losing a little ground when I just painted in oils and didn't do straight drawing. I keep myself in check by always trying freehand; it's a commitment I made to myself. Actually, I've only done the outline tracing a couple times, maybe 3x but I'm trying to convince myself it's ok to do sometimes. I wish I coud figure a way to use the mirror to help guide myself while I'm in bed all the time. It's really helped me check my work as I go along but I never tried using it with the frequency it appears you do, Terence. I'm dying to rely on it more!

[Grasshopper]

Uh, I just realized i hijacked this thread. Won't do it again. Sorry, everyone.

[Spyderbabe]

Hi Everybody !
Well the only way to get over the jitters is to jump in and get to work.
I used a 12"x12" gallery wrapped canvas.
I started with a light pencil sketch... and then I just started blocking in some color values.

I've never done a portrait before and Dana Design got me to come try this....it is sooooo hard to make all the pieces parts really look like the subject!!!

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Nov-2005/23281-Img_0335.jpg

some color

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Nov-2005/23281-Img_0336.jpg

and back to work.............

[jhercilia]

Al - your drawing are always very interesting. Do you use caput mortum color?

Grasshopper - you really captured her eye expression.

Anne-Claire - what medium are you planning to use?

Kathleen - you have a great start there. Dana was right.

[JCoop]

Anne-Claire, the likeness in your drawing rings true... even at this early stage. A sign of things to come;)

Faith, a rousing start... looking forward to seeing how you re-work things on toned paper! Kptad, you're beautiful.:)

AL, with every new update your work takes my breath away. You get into a groove, and it's a beautiful thing!

Kathleen, Yes, Dana was right. I'm already feeling the boldness in your strokes!

[ColorMyWorld]

Just took a quick look at what's been done already. Everyone's work is coming along nicely. This is such a fun project to both do and watch!
I'll be starting mine later this week.

[AHA]

Quick question since I've never done this before... any medium ok?

[jhercilia]

Quick question since I've never done this before... any medium ok?
any medium.

[terence p]

spyderbabe,(Kathleen). Your portrait is coming along very well and since its of me, I should know.

[Striver]

Hi all, where have I been, your rocketing away and I am still at the starting box. Well thank you for choosing such a beautiful partner for me. I am the Beast part of this event, poor girl. Gave much distraction in getting my piccy to her, new program etc. Haave outlined for a start and perhaps the w/e can give it a go, was that the third or fourth outline. Great to see the talent here, I can only enhance your work.
See you Dea
Les

[Spyderbabe]

Hi Terry - I thought the early stages of my portrait were just great.... cant wait to see it..
here's some more progress since my post earlier tonight ~~

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Nov-2005/23281-Img_0337.jpg

heres the photo ref of Terry:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Nov-2005/23281-terry_photo_ref

[alfredart]

Thanks Coop you're very kind.
Janet... I have no idea what you just said. Anyway, I use Derwent Drawing Pencils.
Kathleen, looks like you're off to a good start. Very good likeness.
Again, thanks all. Now it's off to draw, I'm putting my painting down tonight and going to try and finish this one off. I'd like to start another.

Peace,
AL

[yabby]

Spyderbabe - Kathleen - Great start. Thanks for sharing your WIP.

And here is the second version of Anne-Claire CP with more layers.:)
And the 36x48cm pastel on board gessoed with acrylic.
thanks to comment to help me improve this one....

[Dea]

Crikey, you peple are fast,
You've all done very nice portraits, I haven't done anything yet, except look at the photo.
Thanks for the compliment Striver, you don't look like a beast to me :)
Deanna

[JCoop]

Spyderbabe, nice progress... you're a busy bee!:)

Yabby, you too are busy... your hard work and keen observation really shines in this version.:)

ColorMyWorld, I owe you an apology for posting your painting at this early and awkward stage. It has to be said that you're very beautiful, and I hope to do you justice in subsequent stages.:)

Digital, Painter 9

[jhercilia]

Janet... I have no idea what you just said. Anyway, I use Derwent Drawing Pencils.
AL
LOL That's the name of the color. It's a brownish/red color.

Yabby - this second version is even better.
Joel - that's a pretty portrait. Great model too! LOL

[waterdraak]

Gee, there are very fast working people around this group.

Joel, I have some questions about this. Since you swapped me to Yakov, we did exchange jpg-files to work from. But we did not talk about permission to post.
Do I have to ask his permission to post my piece in progress (no it is not yet finished) here?
I do not know where I read it but I thought that somewher I read that the paintings should be posted side by side? What does that actually mean? I thought at first that the swapped portraits should be side by side but nobody is doing so, so that was a wrong thought?

Anyway I make pictures along the phases, I am thinking about posting a WIP, but when I do that which forum should I use?

Sorry for the many questions, but please consider english is not my language of birth and sometimes I misunderstand text.

[JCoop]

Janet, thanks! Hopefully I'll be posting an update soon.:)

Hi Ria. No, you do not have to ask permission to post your artwork and your WIPs. Post away right here in this thread!:) The only thing that you need permission for is to post the original reference photo that was emailed to you by your partner.

Looking forward to seeing your work!

[Spyderbabe]

Hi Yabby! Thanks... nice work!
Joel - looking good!
Thanks Terry - --- I'm getting there....but I'm afraid I'm making you look older than your photo!!

[alfredart]

Hey all. Well I got alittle more done on this last night. Should be dinished soon.
Sorry Janet, no idea what that was. I use Terracotia, Brown Ochre and Venetian Red and they don't photograph well, at least under the light that I use.

Anyway, here's an update on Eileen.



Peace,
AL

[waterdraak]

Well since I have permission to post a WIP in here:

The first picture shows the photo lying beside the acrylpaper I work on. The drawing is already on the paper. I start to put in the darkest lines in sepia.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-Nov-2005/60207-yukov1.jpg

Then I work on the background. Colour is Winsor blue en raw umber. I use acryl paint wich I blend with medium matte.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-Nov-2005/60207-yukov2.jpg

Now I work on the eyes. They have to be good, else I start over again. the colours I used are paynes grey, brown and cobalt blue (black is only used for the pupil) and a bit of pink in the corners.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-Nov-2005/60207-yukov3.jpg

Next I build a basic skin tone. I am going to use a lot of colours but here I only used alizaron crimson and unbleached titanium. Yakov has a very light skin and in the picture the light makes white spots. I try to give him a bit more colour.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-Nov-2005/60207-yukov4.jpg

Now I am quite some time working on layering colours: buff titanium, raw sienna, yellow ocre, burnt sienna, burnt umber, naples yellow and alizaron crimson.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-Nov-2005/60207-yukov5.jpg

My next move is to put some hairs in with white gesso. When this is dry I wash the gesso with blue at the side of the hair. Then another layer of gesso on top makes the grey hairs. (sorry Yakov, I am much more grey then you but I paint my hair)

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-Nov-2005/60207-yukov6.jpg

I hope WC does not crash when I post this.
Next time I will finish the portrait and tell you all my secret how to make it smooth!

[alfredart]

This is most wonderful, thanks for the WIP as I've just started painting with acrylics tshis is a great help.

Peace,
AL

[yakov]

Ria (waterdaak): Wow this is amazing! :clap: (I do not mean myself but the work you've done). I can't wait to see the final result. It is really great that you described it step-by-step too. I work in the same media and this is very instructive.

Yakov

[Gilberte]

Wonderful Wip Ria !

[Spyderbabe]

Next time I will finish the portrait and tell you all my secret how to make it smooth!

Great! I am learning so much here!

[JCoop]

Ria, http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-Nov-2005/30872-the_wave Impressive!

[Anita Murphy]

Gobsmacked by all these amazing portraits!

[dollardays]

Alfredart; A great likeness and very nicely done.

Jane: You have done a great job on MaryHawk

Yabby: This is a super drawing for your first portrait in CP! Nice job! But the pastel is awesome!!!!

Terrence: This is LOVELY! You have got her spot on!

Anne-Claire and Grasshopper: Great beginnings...

and Kathleen: Truly excellent- this is going to be a great painting- he will treasure it- I am sure

Joel: Looking very very good!
Ria: i loved seeing your WIP-- Love the portrait too.

I can't wait to get started so I can join in--- Anda needs to send me a picture-- Anda-- if you're out there- send me a picture! :)

Nora

[Studio224]

Grasshopper, your sketch is beautiful!!! Did you use charcoal? Don't despair over kptad's hair! To cheer you up, have a look at my hair nightmare: http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=303014



I'm sure you will be fine. And to answer your question about drawing, when I feel a lot of pressure, like in this thread (LOL), I mark the position of the pupils, the tip of the nose and the space between the nose and the mouth, then I draw freehand and build the whole features and details from there.



Al, always a pleasure to watch your drawing grow!!!



Spyderbabe, great work for someone who has never done a portrait!!! I hope you will do more portraits after this one....



Janet, I am going to use graphite as it's the medium with which I have managed to give the better looks to my subjects... I don't think I am going to inflict on Yabby one of my watercolor portraits...

Yabby, I think the second portrait (36x48cm pastel on board gessoed with acrylic) is more like me then the first... I think you have better "nailed" me... Thanks!!!!!! I am so late on yours, I have only done... your eyes! Shame on me...

Joel!!! Wow so far!!!! I am admirative of artists than can do digital... Awkward stage it maybe, but already beautiful...

Ria!! i think your portrait is fabulous!! Thank you for posting the WIP!

[Grasshopper]

Ya know, it's kinda wierd calling you studio224...
Anyway, thanks for the curly hair reference; really picked me up!!! LOL.
I used graphite for the sketch. I haven't figured if I'll use charcoal or graphite or a little of both for the finished work. I'll know when I start.

[Striver]

Waterdraak
May I ask why you use white Gesso for the hairs, is it because it is more absobent to color over, perhaps shine thro the glaze?
Cheers
Les

[impshlady]

Wow there's some cracking portraits here! i'm so impressed by all of them! I am swapping with Shells, so i'll try and get moving once i get the picture. i think i might try watercolour...i have been dying to try a portrait in watercolour and this is the perfect excuse! :clap: :clap:


Leah

[ottwork]

WOW! These all look so great already! I got the photo of my partner today, so I'll be picking up a support tomorrow and getting to work! Okay - now I'm a little intimidated by all you fabulous portrait painters - deep breath - :eek:

[JCoop]

Still more detail work to be done, but I think the likeness is taking shape. Here's where I am now...

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-Nov-2005/30872-cmw_wc_scrn2.jpg

[ColorMyWorld]

Joel, even at this early stage, you’re doing an amazing job!
It definitely looks like me already. It’s cool to see the stages it goes through.
And thanks for the very sweet complement.

ADDED: Joel, Wow! While I was writing my post you put up the next stage. This is fantastic!!!!

I too just started your portrait this evening. You gave me a great classical ¾ length pose but I wanted to do something a bit more intimate and personal. Since you gave me a nice high-res photo, I cropped in so a viewer could see what you were intently watching. And seeing how you like to paint your son, I made him playing baseball as the reflection in your glasses.

I think I got a bit carried away by all the warm tones in the photo. This still has a lot of work to go especially the eyes. Hope you like the concept.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-Nov-2005/48177-Joel-01-A.jpg

Oil Pastel on canvas, 8x10”
“Baseball thru a father’s eyes”

[JCoop]

Ann, I love it!!! How creative!!! I'm so excited... you put such thought into the painting. I'm tempted to wake my wife up to show her!... a risky move, but I'm feeling bold. Thanks Ann! I'm so flattered.:D

[Studio224]

Grasshopper.... call me Anne-Claire! LOL

Ann (colormyworld), you are off to a great start, I love it so far...Oil pastels! Do you use it like soft pastels? or do you blend and use a brush like you would do an oil painting?

[shells]

Wow there's some cracking portraits here! i'm so impressed by all of them! I am swapping with Shells, so i'll try and get moving once i get the picture. i think i might try watercolour...i have been dying to try a portrait in watercolour and this is the perfect excuse! :clap: :clap:


Leah

Leah,
Having seen the posts here I am definitely having this "oh-god-what-have-I-done"! feeling. I'll mail you the pic within the next few hours ,but it can't be a natural light one as its been a little cloudy today.

[ColorMyWorld]

Joel, I'm SO glad you like it! Hope your wife didn't hit you with a shoe when you woke her. :D

Anne-Claire, I went from oil paint to oil pastels and have never used soft pastels. I tend to use the OP the same way as I did the paint except that I push color around and blend on the canvas with a color blender stick. So to me it's like oil paint with over 100 colors premixed and no pallette to clean when I'm done!

[jocelynsart]

holy crow, these are amazing!

Terence, that pastel is just terrific! Yabby, I love your drawing of studio224 and what a great reference shot to work from!

Holy, the wip portrait by waterdraak is great!

Good start on what looks to be an interesting portrait of Joel.

This is really a great year so far, alot of just fantastic portraits.

[kptad2]

Ann he's comming out GREAT i love the reflections in the glasses... im excited to see the rest of that one... :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: . :D

[kptad2]

hi every one me again ..

here my version of miss faith ...
this started out in Artrage using the oils... then finished off in project dogwaffle,,, ok i resized in psp7.. geeeeeessssh that alot of bouncing around now that i look at it .. well
i hope you like it faith... had fun with both pieces,,( waiting to know if i have permission to post the other piece and ref for that )

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Nov-2005/2721-f06-finished.jpg

[Spyderbabe]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Nov-2005/23281-third_color.jpg

OK - still working on it.... I'm getting to the point where fussing with it probably wont help?

[Grasshopper]

Hey, I like it! I didn't know you were done! I love the background with it, too! Here's Kim (Kptad), although I'm not done yet. I did it over on orange-toned paper but the scanner makes it look salmony-pinky. I started it in graphite but didn't like it much so did over graphite with charcoal. Only blocked in her hair so far. Am I going in the right direction or does it seem impossible this way? (I've no clue.) Have more detail-work to do, too overall and eventual highlighting. Does her mouth look off to the side???

Everybody's doing so great. My Kim is, too!

[alfredart]

Wow, looks like everyones havin' fun now. Some really great stuff coming out this year.

Well, I'm going to call this one done now. Finished it up last night.
Eileen, I hope you like. Looks like it turned out around 16X18 or so.

Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with as it looks like a good one this year already.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Nov-2005/37195-eileen1.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Nov-2005/37195-eil6.jpg

Peace,
AL

[Grasshopper]

Alfred, you're just fabulous.

[JCoop]

Kim, you did a great job with our beloved Faith!

Spyderbabe, still following and still impressed!

Faith, wonderful work, the likeness is really there... You're sooooo good! I think the face in your drawing might be a little rounder than the ref.

AL, what you've given Eileen, money can't buy.;)

[cascadeoflove]

Wow! Its so exciting watching lotsa portraitures in process. I am planning to start one also. May I?

[cascadeoflove]

Peace your portrait is comming out really cool. ;-)

[yakov]

Ok, here we go :eek: This is my first portrait outside my family and a learning opportuinity too. I hope Ria (waterdraak) will be able to recognize herself.
Critique and suggestions on improvments are most welcome.
Acrylic on canvas board 12*9.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Nov-2005/5589-Ria_combo_small.JPG

Cheers,
Yakov

[Spyderbabe]

Wow Yakov! Wow!
Al - NICE!! (where's Fairborn?)
HiFaith! Good to see you and your work!
kptad2 - that is amazing!

[alfredart]

Thanks so for the comments all.
Joel, you're way too kind. I hope she enjoys hers as much as you have yours. She'll find out when she gets it, that it looks much better in person than it does here.
Kathleen, Fairborn is just north of Dayton a few miles. Where Wright Patterson air base is.

Again thanks all for the kind words.

Peace,
AL

[Grasshopper]

Joel, you're a little late on the critique; I'll fix it before I give it to Kim by deepening the shadows at the sides of her face, I think, but for all intents and purposes, it's done. (The camera caused a tiny bit of glare in her eyes from the graphite - ignore.)

20x16 toned canson charcoal and graphite

[maria_khurram]

I am flattered to see such great work by everyone.........http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Nov-2005/59753-clap2.gifhttp://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Nov-2005/59753-clap2.gifhttp://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Nov-2005/59753-clap2.gif

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Nov-2005/59753-4_1_204.gif thumbs up for everyone.

[eileenclaire]

Al, I am thrilled. Thank you so much for drawing this beautiful portrait. It was so much fun to see the step by step - of me! :D I will be starting on yours tomorrow.

The talent of every artist here is incredible. I love seeing each and every one of these portraits. What a great project!

[Miss J]

This is all so wonderful ... a holiday season I will never forget. :)

[ColorMyWorld]

Kptad2, wonderful painting especially like the way you got the smile.
Spyderbabe, you captured the likeness and a bit of personality too.
Grasshopper, like the way you’re handling the hair without getting fussy.
Al, very nice how you incorporated the plant in. wonderful eyes.
Yakov, great likeness. Very nicely done!

Okay, I think I'm almost finished.
Joel, I hope you think there's a likeness.
Had to use a flash on the camera so there's a bit of glare...

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Nov-2005/48177-Joel-03-A.jpg

[yabby]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for comments. and I'm looking at your awesome works :clap:

Waterdrak - Ria : wonderful portrait. thanks for WIP a great way to learn! and also
Jcoop - Joel: what a likeness and bright portrait
Colormyworld : warm and creative portrait
Kptad2 : you caught her
Yakov : likeness achieved and I like your soft colors
Grasshopper: great work(s) ;-)

And for the fun .... you know what, after seeing Anne-Claire portraits, the whole family is asking me for CP portraits...:cool: I have to learn more! and spend more time in WC-portraiture forum :)

[waterdraak]

Yakov, I love it!! :clap: You have put my hair more neat then it mostly is! I have some hair nearly hanging in my eye but you combed it straight away.
Can't believe this is one of your first paintings. You have a great talent.

Les, you asked me why I used some gesso for the hairs. As I use acryl paint in the watercolour way the paint is transparent. I use gesso because it is opaque and you can put a glaze over it once it is dry. I used this technique in my wildlife paintings for fur an it works out nice. This time was the first time I tried it on a human and I find out it works as well.

I agree with everybody there are stunning portraits in this thread.
All the people who commented on my post, thanks!

I owe the next step and the reveal of my secret:
Well, here it is: I put my acryl paint aside and put my watermixable oil paint to finish the portrait.
Using very little paint I scumble over the skin to make it smoother.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/04-Nov-2005/60207-yukov10.jpg

Next I work on the shirt also with water-mixable oil paint (Artisan)

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/04-Nov-2005/60207-yukov11.jpg

Finally I work on the eybrows, the eyelashes and the half a day? old beard.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/04-Nov-2005/60207-yukov12.jpg

Now I set it aside and over some days I will look at it and see if it needs any changes.

The reference photo:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/04-Nov-2005/60207-yakov2.JPG

[Spyderbabe]

Ria - just wonderful technique! thanks for sharing it with us.And the finished portrait is superb!

[yakov]

Wow Ria! :clap: :clap: :clap:
You got me. Your attention to details is amazing (my beard (2 days old by the way) ha ha..).
What is the advantage of using (water soluble) oils? Do they dry longer? I am trying to use acrylic glazes (with gloss acrylic medium) to achieve a smooth look (with much less success though).
I just posted my self-portrait in "show my self-portrait" thread, made from similar photo, thought it might be interesting to compare.

Cheers,

Yakov

[artbabe21]

This year as last, with the portrait swap Joel so graciously has hosted again this year, the results are JUST completely outstanding!! You folks really rock!! :) I've so enjoyed following this thread!

[JCoop]

Faith, gorgeous job!... love the white touches. Beautiful!

Ann, I'm honored! The likeness is great and my little boys reflection warms my heart. Thank you for a lovely portrait!

Yabby, pretty sneaky secret, and pretty awesome painting! You've got a really great touch!

Here's my final of Ann (ColorMyWorld). Ann I hope you like! I had fun trying to capture that winning smile of yours! :)

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/04-Nov-2005/30872-ann_scrn_final.jpg

[yakov]

JCoop: Beatiful portrait! I like the golden highlights on the hair with a dark hot background.
How do you transfer the digital image to canvas? What kind of printer is used?
Is there a way to use mineral pigments to make the painting last forever (in contrast to regular printer inks)?

Yakov

[JCoop]

Hi Cath!:)

Yakov, thanks! The process used to transfer my paintings to canvas is archival... guaranteed to last generations... oil paintings will fade before my digital portraits will.

The key is finding a reputable Giclee' printing company. Do a google search on the word "Giclee". You will find a wealth of information. Thanks again.:)

P.S. I just realized that I missed commenting on your portrait... Well Sir, you should take a bow!. Your work is tremendous!:)

[waterdraak]

Joel I always admire your use of colours!!
Yakov I do not quit understand the question: do you ask why I use oil on top of acryl or is the question why I use water-mixable oil paint?
I'll have a look at your self-portrait.

[Gilberte]

As Cathleen said above ........... outstanding !!!!!!!!!! All of you !

[yakov]

Ria: I guess my question is why you switch to oils. Can the same effect be achieved with acrylics (may be using some acrylic gel to make it dry longer)?

[rosebard]

Joe, Ria, Ann, Grass, yakov, Al.... All great portrait work so far. Wow. I havent started mine yet. I have a trio portrait I am working on to give to my mom in law at her birthday on the 15th this month. So things are pretty tidy up here. :)

But I enjoy stopping by everyday to watch everyones progress.

Anita, have you started mine yet? Or you too busy like me?? :)

[terence p]

As others have said, the work so far is stunning. Grasshopper, just as I thought,, once you added the hair, it all pulled together. Spyderbabe, your portrait of me looks terrific.

this is the latest step in the portrait of spyderbabe (Kathleen). I adjusted the eyes to open the left eye more, and thought I had the eyes done correctly , but after looking at it in the mirror, feel that there is still something wrong. Also not sure of the color combination. Does the robe color go well with the background? I sometimes spend more time on clothes and background searching for the right combination then I do on the actual\\ face.\

attached the current stage, an earlier step and the refernce photo

It has been fun doing the pastel of Kathleen with her cheerful smile looking back at me.

[Studio224]

Kptad2, your digital Miss Faith is wonderful!

Grasshopper, I like it so far, I don't think her mouth is off to the side.

Al, your portrait of Eileen is beauuuuutiful!!!! And the composition delightful!

Yakov, I like your portrait of Ria, I think you have done very well!

Colormyworld, wow, wow!!!

Ria, it's fantastic, and thank you for sharing your technique... :-)

Joel, you have indeed captured Ann's smile, your portrait is gorgeous!

Meanwhile, I finally found some time to start working on Yabby's portrait, graphite on drawing paper.

[Spyderbabe]

Terry! Terry! Terry!
I am overwhelmed!! WOW! It looks great!
:clap: :clap: :clap:
WOW!!!

I was here with your painting.... yesterday... I have changed the background
since then but ..........

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/04-Nov-2005/23281-fourth_color.jpg

[Studio224]

Terence, I don't see anything wrong with the portrait of Spyderbabe, What's bothering you?

[ColorMyWorld]

Ria, very nicely done and thanks so much for the step by step.
Terry, you did a great job of capturing her wonderful smile.
Anne-Clare, looks like you’re off to a good start.
Spyderbabe, with either background it looks great.

Joel, it’s beautiful. It looks like me only better!

[jocelynsart]

Terry, what beautiful tones and that background is just amazing! I can't stop looking at that portrait.
Studio224, I really like that drawing!!!
This is a great year! Everyone is doing amazing on their portraits.

[Grasshopper]

Everyone is doing such a great job - in all the chosen mediums. This is really turning out great, and I'm so glad I finally was brave enough to do a project.

Out of all the poses of the reference pics I personally liked Yabby's the best. I loved the crop, too. Very interesting.

I don't know about anybody else but have any of you become closer to the person you're doing a portrait of? I didn't know Kim/Kptad before at all but now she's starting to feel like family and we've been emailing back and forth. Is this happening to you? Very cool imo.

[Lauren F-M]

Hi, all!

Wow -- great portraits being created here! :clap: I only found this new thread yesterday, so have been catching up. :eek: That took a while, as there were 8 pages already, and I have a very slow computer with dial-up. However -- I am SO impressed with all the work here.

I took notes, so I can keep up with things (my memory just isn't enough anymore) --
there are 12 portraits so far; either done or started. I haven't started mine yet, but have the photo references from Jocelyn and can't wait to get started! Will get my own reference photowork done this weekend, by my husband. Luckily, it's a beautiful weekend, weatherwise.

Now -- the the wonderful portraits! :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Al -- absolutely wonderful drawing of Eileen. You caught her and really made it your own, in your unique and distinct style. The plant works wonderfully! I also learned (hadn't realized it before) that you use more than one shade of brown in your portraits! I'm learning!

Miss J -- your portrait of Mary Hawk is lovely -- I really like how the textures and tones create a wonderful mood and feel to the portrait.

Yabby -- Great start to your portrait of Anne-Claire (unless I missed an update, I think I just saw a WIP shot) -- I look forward to following how it progesses.

Anne-Claire -- As Grasshopper mentioned, the pose and crop is wonderful, and I like what you have done so far.

Terry -- amazing portrait of Kathleen, and I love that background colour. The eyes are perfect, and you have mastered the face -- skin, modelling, highlights --- just amazing!

Kathleen -- I am enjoying the WIP shots of your portrait of Terry. Is it in acrylics?

Grasshopper/Faith -- Wow -- you really caught Kim - and I like the simplified hair. A lovely portrait!

Kim -- Lovely portrait of Faith -- it's a digital, isn't it? This is a very foreign medium for me -- computer klutz that I am. However, the wonderful results I see on WC have me very interested in learning more.

Joel -- Beautiful portrait of Ann -- I didn't realize how you print out the final. I wish I could see it IRL. Your digital work is always superb, and I am very intrigued! Once we get a better computer, I want to learn about the Corel Paint 9 programme (esp. since the Corel main office is a ten minute walk from where I live!).

Ann -- Your oil pastel portrait of Joel has such character! So strong and expressive -- no wonder he is so pleased!

Ria -- Super-wow! I am so impressed by your portrait of Yakov, and thank you so much for the many WIP shots, with the explanations. I must go back and study the process closer!

Yakov -- A lovely portrait of Ria, and the likeness if very good!

Sorry for the long-winded post, but I had a lot of catching up to do!
I am SO inspired by you all! Bravo!! :clap: :clap: :clap:

Lauren :wave:

[Miss J]

Lauren said it all.....I am so impressed with the wonderful and varied talent here.
It has been a real learning experience for me. Maybe next year I can attempt a traditional work - not that I don't love digital - I do - but would love to branch out.

[alfredart]

Lauren, thank you so very much. You're always so kind.

Peace,
AL

[terence p]

thank you all for the nice comments about the portrait of Kathleen.

This is the finished work. I did some more work on the hair, adding color from the background, more shades of brown and highlights , changed a bit of the color under her nose, and did a little more on the background and on the shirt.

[Anita Murphy]

Terry - this is just stunning! Kathleen must be thrilled!

Kathleen - yours of Terry is super too!

Grasshopper - super use of charcoal and graphite. One day I am going to try something other than white paper.

Ria - WOW!!! This is fabulous! I thought it was the reference photo!!

Joel - your work is SO impressive ALWAYS!!!

Ann- very nice - I like the perspective - very intimate!

KPtad2 - lovely expression and you've caught it perfectly!

yakov - very nice indeed - immediately recognisable from the photo!

Al - well there is nothing to say - I am your no 1 fan!!! I wish I knew how you do what you do with those pencils!

Here is mine. This is Rose - I was SO lucky to get her as she and I have chatted often and so I feel I know her. I am doing two versions of this as I could not decide on a medium. So here is the graphite version. I am not sure if I am quite finished with this yet. Rose has kindly given me permission to use her for the acrylic forum classroom on portraiture - the acrylic version will appear in a week or so I hope!

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/06-Nov-2005/58769-Rosea.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/06-Nov-2005/58769-Rose.jpg

[cascadeoflove]

Terry this is awesome. I like the gloss on face. Only small tweak is there but is very much curable ;-) i.e, orange light in pupil (eya balls) if you could add dark brown color at one side of the eye balls. That will give depth and round feel to the e.balls.
Try it and see the results ;-) good luck

[cascadeoflove]

Hey anita this is cool effort.
eyebrows and shadow at the side of nostrils needs attention :-) are you getting me.
Otherwise perfect use of lead pencil.

Which pencil grade u r using here? HB,2B bla bla bla...

[Anita Murphy]

Jay Paul - I use a 2B Mechanical pencil and a traditional 5H almost exclusively for all my graphite work. I think the image lost some shading in the photograph - but thanks for your comment!

[Pars]

Just following along here, and watching with awe. Everyone's work is top-drawer.

Anita, your Rose is just wonderful. It makes me feel I know her better, too!

[alfredart]

Anita, wonderful job on Rose, very well done indeed. She's gonna love it.

Peace,
AL

[JCoop]

Anne-Claire, you're off to the races! Great start.

Spyderbabe, I like the background, and the foreground!

Terry, Strong finish! Very impressive!

Anita, Rose is so lucky! You've expressed yourself and her beautifully!

[JParker]

Just peeking in :cool: .
Some incredible work going on in here!!
So many talented artists working so hard.
Very exciting,
Jerome

[rosebard]

Wooooooooooooooooooooooow!!! I loved it.
:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

You know that already. But I wanted to make it public!

Thanks so much. I am about to start yours tomorrow.

Like I said before, there are lots of great portrait here already, I am just scared to show mine. :) But dont worry I will.

:) :wave:

[dollardays]

thank you all for the nice comments about the portrait of Kathleen.

This is the finished work. I did some more work on the hair, adding color from the background, more shades of brown and highlights , changed a bit of the color under her nose, and did a little more on the background and on the shirt.

Terence:

You are a perfectionist!!!! I think Kathleen will love this-- I know I do. It's amazing what you did with the photo.

Nora

(My partner and I, Andagail have finally swapped photos and i hope to post something tomorrow!)

[dollardays]

Anita:
Your drawing of Rose is excellent. The line work is magnificent. I am so blown away by all the posts.....

Nora

[AHA]

HI Everyone and Nanc, Here is my portrait of Nanc, done with pastel pencil on charcoal paper. I love some of the indepth portraits that are being posted, this was a 2 hour drawing. Thought about adding more color, but ended up liking a more monocromatic look. Let's see if I scanned it in OK:

[AHA]

Here's the reference photo, I close -cropped her face, hope you like it Nanc! Annie

[AHA]

Very fun to do, though I admit I had a hard time seeing what was going on, especially with the glasses, and strong shadows. Also want to say that this is a great project, fun to see all kinds of portraits. Annie

[Anita Murphy]

Annie - real feel of sunshine in this! Made me smile seeing her smiley face!

[jhercilia]

Wow! I've been without phone lines for a while and now that they got fixed I found these wonderful portraits.

Here is my try with Carolyn. Hope she likes it!
It was painted in Painter IX with colored pencils. The background was done with digital watercolors.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/06-Nov-2005/24404-jmg_Carolyn_001-002.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/06-Nov-2005/24404-jmg_Carolyn_003-004.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/06-Nov-2005/24404-jmg_Carolyn_005-006.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/06-Nov-2005/24404-jmg_Carolyn_007.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/06-Nov-2005/24404-carolyn.jpg
close up:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/06-Nov-2005/24404-jmg_Carolyn_007a.jpg

[Striver]

Thought I ought to make a start on my beautiful partner. Just a sketch for the moment, painting to come. Still have a medicated thick head. 3B blunt pencil
Sketch of Dea
Les

[impshlady]

i have just finished Shells picture but i want to show her it before i post it. just in case she screams and dies or something. this is my first project and i am sooo worried! i didnt realise how scary it would be!

ah well. I've been lurking here, with my jaw dropping at the standard of work, and to be honest i am very pleased to be among such a talented bunch of people!

thats the gushing over. now i have to wedge my portrait in the scanner...hope it doesnt spit it back at me!

Leah

[AHA]

HI Janet, Very nice portrait. I'm completely in the dark about digital artwork and so it is nice to see your progression. I have a question about technique: Could you explain to me how most artists get to your step one digitally? Do they draw in their intial form ? Or, do some people outline an existing photo and then go from there? I know nothing about it, so I was just curious. I see a lot of accuracy in digital work, thanks for the explination. Also for a novice, what is the best program to try? Annie

[jhercilia]

HI Janet, Very nice portrait. I'm completely in the dark about digital artwork and so it is nice to see your progression. I have a question about technique: Could you explain to me how most artists get to your step one digitally? Do they draw in their intial form ? Or, do some people outline an existing photo and then go from there? I know nothing about it, so I was just curious. I see a lot of accuracy in digital work, thanks for the explination. Also for a novice, what is the best program to try? Annie
Well, the process is the same as in traditional painting, at least for me. Depending on how accurate I want to be, I might use the grid system to do a sketch. Other times, I just draw freely without the grid. As I said, it depends on the mood I am at the time. I know of other artists that use cloning (like using transfer paper) to trace the beginning outlines of their subjects. You can also do your drawing on a sketch pad and scan it. But, as for myself, I prefer drawing by 'sight' freely or using the grid system. Regarding the accuracy in digital work, it depends on what the artist wanted to achieve. I like to do my digital portraits in the same way I do my traditional.

I use Painter IX. You can download a trial version.

[AHA]

Thanks Janet, I'll try that trail version, it will be fun to check out. Ok with only a mouse on the computer?

[jhercilia]

Thanks Janet, I'll try that trail version, it will be fun to check out. Ok with only a mouse on the computer?
It is more difficult with mouse, but I know of artist who does not use a tablet, like Maria. But even with the mouse, you can explore all of it's features and get the feel of the program.

[impshlady]

okay here we go...shells liked it so here it is...

12x16 W+N WC on W+N WC 140lb block

took about two hours, including the freehand drawing...(next time i'll get the basic lines in with a grid or something!!!) so quite quick.

i'll post comments for all the lovely portraits here tomorrow as its late now.


Leah
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/06-Nov-2005/53328-portrait_swap_004.jpg http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/06-Nov-2005/53328-shaila.jpg

[Spyderbabe]

Terry - It is just wonderful! I think you did a fantastic job (from an iffy photo)
I wouldnt have you change a thing. I've never had my portrait done before and I cant imagine anyone following in your footsteps! Thank you so much.
I hope to get a good photo of your finished portrait and post it tomorrow!
Kathleen

[Jacquicm]

OOOH! I'm such a big fan of all of your works. Its amazing, the various medium used here. :D

I'm still waiting for my partner to send me his photo. I hope I do justice to him as you all did in your drawings.

WOWOWOWOWOW!!! Is all I can say now...

I would write individual messages, but, I'm speechless... :)

Great job guys, I love it all :clap:

Jacqui

[cascadeoflove]

Dear anita, 5H is supposed to be a very hard led! you used this for drawing?

[cascadeoflove]

Dear Janet, This one is great i must say. I love this software. These days i am also trying my hands on painter IX. Awesome.

[Striver]

Can we have a reminder when the last day is please!
Les

[Studio224]

Anita, Rose is beautiful!!! She will love it!

AHA, I sure like it, the monochromatic look is great!

Janet, WOW!!!!! That's the first time I see digital pencil... I like it very much!

Strivre, very good start.

Leah, it's watercolor, isn't it? reat skin tones and her eyes are beautiful, you have caught them sooo well!!!!

PS: I think the last day is the last day of November, right?

[impshlady]

i wish now it was acrylic so i could adjust the size of her hair, the length of her neck and a few other things. I was so pleased until i put them side by side on the monitor! ah well we live and learn eh?

Janet that is such a striking portrait! you can still see every storke (and minute of time spent!) excellent!

I'll have a look through, and see everyone's work again before i comment but i know it's all been excellent.

Leah

[Anita Murphy]

Leah - I think this is lovely. I take my hat off to anyone who does watercolour!!!

Janet - I love your use of colour in this. Lovely and bold! Thank you for showing the wips!

[jocelynsart]

Holy crow! There is more really great stuff in here!

Impsh, what a fantastic style you have!

[Spyderbabe]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Nov-2005/23281-L_FINAL_FINAL.jpg

This is my final version of Terry. Its on a 12"x12" gallery wrapped canvas,done in acrylics. I'll varnish it tonight.

Its been a great experience - thanks to Dana for 'making' me do it. :cat:
If I knew how much fun you guys have over here in portraits I would have been here sooner!!
Thanks to Terry for being my first real subject. :wave: Terry, I'll email you to arrange sending this to you.

[Cntrymouse]

Dear Janet,
WOW!! I am amazed at how colorful you made me! I have never tried digital art but I can see it would be great fun! The effects are really wild and you certainly got a good likeness. The more simple manipulations of photography that I have on my computer use the photo to "draw" the figure and you click on which style you want and it does the work ... so I am not quite understanding the process you described. Maybe someday I will see about purchasing a program. But THANK YOU! I am impressed with your portrait of me! It was especially neat how you did the WIPs! I am almost finished with your portrait. I did it in oil pastels.

[rimbauds shop]

Now then...

Mark and I have only just swapped photos.

I don't much like working from photos as a general rule so I intend to do a number of drawings first and then move onto paint when I'm confident I can get a reasonable likeness.

Here is the first of those drawings. I drew this from the other side of the room to the computer to give me a basic idea of where the values fell...then when I'd done that I moved in closer to put some more detail in.

I don't think I have a good likeness yet but it's on the way.

Anyway...enough chat...here's the photo

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Nov-2005/57264-M1small.jpg

And the drawing

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Nov-2005/57264-Mark1.JPG

I've since made some small adjustments to the mouth and it's looking a little better.

I can post each drawing if you like in the run up to applying paint to something...but tell me to stop if it gets boring.

[jhercilia]

Jay Paul - thanks so much. Happy painting with Painter IX!

Anne-Claire, Anita - thanks. Anne-Claire, your drawing is very good.

Leah - you have a likeness there. I know what you are saying about watercolors vs. acrylics. I am now working on using acrylics in the same manner/looks as watercolors. I think it would feel more liberating.

Spyderbabe - Terry looks great.

Carolyn - I am glad you liked it. What you just described are called filters. I don't use filters to turn photos into 'paintings'. I just paint the same way I paint traditionally, by applying paint over paint and without using undo. I think that it's better to correct mistakes by applying more paint to it not by undoing it.

I will love to see my portrait in oil pastel. I have used pastel and love pastels, but have never used never oil pastels. It would be very interesting for me. Thanks in advance.

Annie Howell - Nancy's sketch is very well done. The monochromatic looks is very bold and beautiful.

Anita - your sketch of Rose is fantastic. I am sure she will be delighted.

Terrence - I love your pastel painting of Kathleen. It's just awesome and lovely.

Rimbauds - what a strong sketch! I love it! Please, keep posting the progress!

[Lauren F-M]

What a busy place!

Terry -- your finished portrait of Kathleen is absolutely wonderful!

Spyderbabe/Kathleen -- wonderful finished painting of Terry -- what piercing blue eyes!

Annie H-A -- Lovely pastel-pencil portrait! Wonderful likeness, too!

Anita -- good graphite sketch -- I do agree that the photo portrays the eyes a bit different from how they actually are -- you've got great mood here. I look forward the the acrylic version -- will you be showing us WIP shots? (please, please!)

Janet -- Wow! This is a wonderful portrait, and I love the details -- all the great line work on the face. It has so much character, and you are another one who is getting me all excited about Corel's Paint 9 - I can't wait to get a computer upgrade so I can try it!! Thanks so much for all the WIP shots (would make a great teach-in on the digital forum!).

Leah -- I think you did a great job -- the eyes really grab the viewer, and you certainly got a wonderful likeness. It's a lovely portrait.

rimbauds shop -- very strong sketch -- I look forward to the rest of your work on the portrait; hopefully, lots of WIP shots!

Meanwhile, I finally got the reference shots taken and delivered to my swap partner, Jocelyn, and am enjoying the ones she sent me. Like rimbauds shop, I first plan to play around with a few graphite sketches. I think the final portrait will be in watercolour, as that is what I'm comfortable doing these days.

Rock on, everyone -- this is so exciting!
Lauren :wave: :music:

[rosebard]

Hi everybody!! Great portraits!! :clap: :clap: :clap:

I finally started Anita. :D :D :D Anita your version of me in Graphite is awesome, and I love it forsure. :D

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Nov-2005/54461-anita.jpg


http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Nov-2005/54461-portraitswapwip1.jpg

[jhercilia]

Lauren - Thanks a lot. I might post it in the Digital Forum. Have to get permission first.

Rose - will you be working with oils or acrylics? I am looking forward to the its progress.

[JCoop]

Janet, what can I say?... you make digital artist's everywhere swell with pride. I love what you've done here. Home run!!!

Striver, you're off to a rousing start. The drawing is very nice on its own. Sticking around to see where you go from here.

impshlady, I love that you've used your artistic vision and license to create this beautiful portrait. It's striking and very compelling.

Spyderbabe, I see that you've had some more fun with the background. It's great! Nice, nice portrait!

Rimbauds, I can alread tell that you're cooking something special. Your translation is already peeking my curiosity. Great drawing!

Rose, you're off to a great start!... and what a lovely subject.:)

[rosebard]

Thanks Janet and Joe.

Rimbauds, I would love to see your progress sketches. :) :clap:

Spyderbabe, you did well!! :clap:

Leah, really nice use of colors and the light is so wonderfull. :clap:

Terence this is so realistic!! OMG!!! :clap:

Les, great start!! :clap:

Janet, this is lovely!!! What a lively portrait!! :clap:

Annie, Nanc looks shy doesnt she? Lovely pastel drawing!! :clap:

My finished underdrawing of Anita. It will be oil on streched canvas. Size 38X46. Next step will be direct into color where I will be able to refine it. :) :wave:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Nov-2005/54461-portraitswapunderdraw.jpg

[impshlady]

Thanks everyone! i love it as a picture i just wish it was slightly different...next time!

Rose that is a lovely sketch of anita,
Anita your sketch is excellent cant wait for the acrylic!

Lauren hope you have fun doing your portrait, Joel your portrait is beautiful! really atmospheric! i recently got corel draw 9 and i am baffled as to how to use it! i have a lot of respect for digital painting!
Janet your WIP is really instructive, its unusual in a digi piece to see the process that goes into the picture. Often digi stuff feels about hiding the rough bits, where this is really lively and feels totally drawn.

Terry your pastel knocked my socks off! my husband thought it was the ref!! i am so astonished by pastellists....anyone who doesnt end up with a smudgy mess is a genius in my book, so your effort is above that somewhere lol

Grasshopper great likeness, i really related to what you said about not wanting to lose skills by tracing, which is why i drew Shells freehand...i know i used to be able to capture people very easily but now it seems like its more difficult. Thanks for that though!
Kathleen thats a lovely painting of terry! he looks really friendly, and the eyes are really warm!

Rimbauds Shop your sketch is really interesting, quite graphic and really dramatic!

whew. i know i've missed some people so apologies to them. i cant wait for the progress and new paintings! (i've seen a sneaky peek of one of Shells one's of me and its lovely!!) :)

[jhercilia]

Janet your WIP is really instructive, its unusual in a digi piece to see the process that goes into the picture. Often digi stuff feels about hiding the rough bits, where this is really lively and feels totally drawn.
Thanks so much. You can see other wip in my site.

Thansk Joel. You actually got a grand slam!
Thanks Rose.

[rimbauds shop]

Here we go with drawing 2. I think I'm getting more comfortable finding my way around Mark's face. Still not quite there yet, but closer than before I think.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Nov-2005/57264-Mark2.jpg

I'd just like to say that I'm really impressed with the wide variety of portraits being produced for this thread. Sorry that I just don't have the time at the moment to comment on them all individually. Thanks to everybody who commented on my first sketch. I will try to get round to you all as soon as time permits. Looking forward to see what other visual treats we have in store.

[jhercilia]

Rimbauds - you have a better likeness with this last one. The angle of his face is now right. The eyes are now looking to the same directions as in the reference too.

[shells]

Dave,
I do the same thing, innumerable run ups to the final. I have done 3 of Leah already and have'nt got quite there. And having seen all the work that has been posted here, I feel awkward about sending in anything less than my best shot (may I get there fast!!!!). More importantly, Leah's done such a nice job with mine, i'd hate to cheat her with anything that does'nt look like her. This is really a great experience.

[Grasshopper]

Leah (Impshlady), going back to what we were saying about skills diminishing without "real" practice: I've decided to try my sketch completely by freehand, correcting there, redoing, etc. to keep my skills sharp, but then trace the outline - or whatever - on the final good paper. That way I don't cheat myself but can get into the meat of the piece sooner. It's a win/win situation.

[terence p]

I would like to make comments on each one and keep going back and forth to look but cant keep up- all I can say is that everyone has done a terrific job. I enjoyed seeing those who submitted the various stages( some of the first drawings were beautiful in themselves) , the different mediums people used, the different approaches and styles. Everyone one got something special in the person they painted.

thank you all for the nice comments on my work- having a good subject always helps and spyderbabe cheerful face certainly helped. It is obvious that she is a fun person.

And spyderbabe ( Kathleen) I really like the portrait. Although you havent done portraits before, you took a challenge on and did a great job.

[Maryhawk]

Hi All,

The wealth of talent expressed by the artists who have posted in this holiday portrait exchange is extraordinary, inspiring and exciting to say the least. Thank you all, especially those who have shown WIPs with explanations of techniques.

I am attaching my first attempt at capturing the essence of my beautiful partner, Jane Ann (Miss J). This was done with prisma CP, pastel pencils and marker on rag vellum and measures approx. 9x6". I was too chicken to "go dark" with it, but I'd really like to give it another go & if I can do so by deadline, I will post Version 2!
:cat:

Thanks,
Mary Hawkins (Maryhawk)

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Nov-2005/69496-Jane_Ann_reference_photo_110205.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Nov-2005/69496-jane_ann_110705.jpg

[AHA]

Mary. go for it on the darks. That cheek will really stand out if everything else is darkened, it's all about the darks! Annie

[rosebard]

Here is an update of Anita portrait. :) :wave: http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Nov-2005/54461-portraitswapwip2.jpg

[Striver]

Coming on Rose
Les

[Miss J]

My dear sweet Mary.....this is so lovely - I have been in a teary mood all day (mid-life blues) and when I saw this it really lifted me up! The colors truly do reflect me! No need at all to attempt anything else - I LOVE THIS !!!!!!

You have great talent Mary and I can't wait to get this framed and displayed in my home!

Big hug and kiss to you !!!!!! :)

[ottwork]

Hello, all. WOW!!! What great portraits here! I'd love to be able to comment on each one individually, but my goodness...so many...so fantastic!

Well, here is my effort...I've done a study - okay, it started out as a study and I got carried away :rolleyes: . Anyway, it is Candle in graphite. 9x12 on smooth bristol. I have transfered my outlines to a canvas board, and I intend to do the real deal in acrylics.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Nov-2005/64088-candle_in_graphite.jpg http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Nov-2005/64088-SelfPortraitresized.jpg

I REALLY struggle with noses, for some reason - and that remained true here. I think I have it corrected on my board, but we'll see when I start painting!! :eek:

[Candle]

Ooh, Diahn you are off to a good start. Noses are my arch-nemesis as well. I'm glad some one else understands! I have your portrait about 2/3 of the way done. This is my first WC project, and I'm not quite gutsy enough to show a WIP yet, (especially after seeing how high the rest of you have raised the bar), so I'll wait til it's finished to post it. Should be this weekend. I don't have time to comment on all the portraits individually right now, but I will say that there is a lot of excellent work. I feel like I'm playing with the big kids now!

[ottwork]

Hi, Candle! :wave:

I'm glad you approve! Don't be shy about posting - everyone here is supportive and helpful - and there's nothing I like better than a WIP - they make up for my lack of education in art :D . I'm hoping to get a start on the paint tomorrow night - wish me luck!!

[imperess]

wow .. checking back and looking at all the great work! you all do such a good job !

I will be posting mine soon i think its finished but its gotta sit a day or two untill i know for sure !

LOL keep painting all !


~Carol

[JCoop]

Mary, nice work... don't be afraid of he dark. You might bump into a wall or two, but you'll be better for it come daylight.:)

Bard, looking good! The likeness is already there.

Diahn, fine work, indeed! I really like the light play on the face.

[dollardays]

Well, I can't comment on everyone's work- not enough hours in the day!!! But it's great to see the effort everyone is putting into this. And there is some really neat stuff here. I know I worked on this more than I wanted to. I thought I was done after three hours yesterday- then I spent another hour tweaking it this morning. It is oil on gessoed (loose) cotton canvas. The size is about 13x17.5- so about life-size.

This is AndaGail. She is a lovely lady and I tried to do her justice. I had to guess at the color of her eyes- they looked either green or blue on my screen - so I split the difference.

Here also is a WIP. I followed one picture mostly except I adjusted her eyes so she is looking at us.

Nora

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Nov-2005/3589-Anda-pics.jpg http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Nov-2005/3589-Anda-progression.jpg http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Nov-2005/3589-Anda-small.jpg http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Nov-2005/3589-Anda-detail.jpg

[jhercilia]

Nora - that's a great portrait of AndaGail. Loved to see the wip pics.
Diahn - I am looking forward for the acrylic one. I can tell it's going to be beautiful. I like the cropping.
Rose - you're working fast. It's looking good.
Mary - you are very talented too.

[JCoop]

Nora, now that's how ya get "loose"! Love your style! Great job.:)

[Mark_xiii]

Just to prove I'm not really slacking off...

Here's the WIP of Dave (Rimbaud's Shop). I've gone for an extreme crop, hopefully the composition works. C&C's more than welcome!

Gouache on watercolour paper, 310x270mm

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Nov-2005/40453-100_1745x.JPG
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Nov-2005/40453-Dave2x.JPG

There has been some amazing work this year, I'm glad to be a part of it :)

[Spyderbabe]

Mark - its great just like that!! Tight crop works great.

[Spyderbabe]

This is amazing - and so hard to keep up with all the great entries.
I'm going to open a second browser to keep from having to scroll up and down... lets see..

Diahn... fantastic - cant wait to see the acrylic
Nora - that WIP is so helpful... you merged the best of both images.Great!
Rose - this is looking so good!
Mary - what a wonderful painting of MissJ -lovely work.
Terry - thanks for all your kind words. This has been a wonderful experience for me.
Rimbauds - this drawing is looking very strong.
:clap: :clap: :clap: to everyone!

[cascadeoflove]

Nora, I like the way u paint. very bold strokes, makes the portrait lively. Nice pallete. ;-)

Looking forward to see more of your works.

[waterdraak]

Mark, the way how you cropped Dave's portrait is just perfect!!
Very nice use of gouache. Wonderful skin colour!!

[jhercilia]

Martk - The work is fantastic. The cropping is excellent and interesting.

[alfredart]

Mark, I can only tell you what everyone else has at this point. Great crop, great work. I can't wait to see this one done.

Peace,
AL

[Maryhawk]

Thanks so much to Annie, Joel, Janet & Kathleen for the kind comments & encouraging feedback on my portrait of Miss J!

Jane Ann, I am so happy to hear my work has lifted your spirits!! It's funny --- I kept getting nudges to do you light/ expose your Light --- hmmmmmmm.....

Mark, I love what you're doing with Dave's portrait! That extreme close-up is amazing!!

So much talent here --- thanks to all for sharing.

~~Mary Hawkins (Maryhawk)

[Lauren F-M]

Just updating my comments on all the great portrait work going on here! :clap: :clap:

Nora -- Wow! You blew me away with that sequence of WIP shots. Thanks also for the detail of the final. I love your loose but right-on style. Fantastic portrait!

Diahn -- Great start-sketch of your portrait of Candle -- you really caught her, and that is a wonderful drawing! I look forward to the acrylic version -- hope you'll show us WIP shots!

Mark -- Amazing work on that portrait of Dave -- I also love the crop. It adds such drama, and really suits his expression. Can't wait to see more, as you progress!

Great work, all! I started my graphite sketch of Jocelyn (study for final in watercolour), and hope to post it tomorrow or Friday.

Cheers, Lauren :wave:

[Anita Murphy]

Mark - I love the crop! And what a start - can't wait to see how it progresses!

Rose - woohoo it's me!

Mary - go for the darks!!!!!! Super start, needs some body to the colour and then it will be lovely!

Nora - thanks for the WIP postings - this is fabulous. I love your style!

[rosebard]

Hi Anita! Glad you seeing yourself there. I started to work on the flesh colors and features. It is in an ugly stage now. You may get scared, so I will update when I have a decent representation of you. :)

Thanks Les, Joel, Janet, spyderbabe,

Diah, what a lovely graphite study. Cant wait to see the acrylic version. :)

Candle dont be shy. When you can show us!!! :)

Mark, wow!!! This is really David!! :)

Nora, I love your style of painting portraits. Andagail looks beautifull. :)

:) :)

[holy]

Hi All,

I really wish I'd caught this competition - I feel like I'm really missing out here. Ah, well next time...

A Big UP for Mark :clap: - I know he's been in the doldrums as far as painting is concerned lately and he's come up with a cracker as far as Mr Shop's portrait is concerned!

Some very interesting ideas going on even the lady with the leaves coming out of her head! (only kidding...)

Come on Mr Shop I want to see what you've managed to do with Mark!

BTW Mr Rimbauld - I had suggested to Mark that the three of us should get together sometime - I think you're only 30-40 mins from me.

Catch you all later...

[nancyl746]

better late than never, my real life is interfering with my fun. Been working 6/7 midnights. That dosent leave much time for anything else. Any way here is my portrait of Annie. Done digitally with soft pastel and stump blender.
Thanks Annie for a good reference
Nanc

[nancyl746]

don't know what happened to the painting, but I'll try again
Nanc

[Mark_xiii]

I don't think I've ever been 'Bigged up' before... Keep it real, Bro. ;)

Anyway, thanks all for the positive comments, much appreciated. More to come at the weekend.

[rimbauds shop]

Mark...that's utterly fantastic. Only problem is I now REALLY need to learn to paint..and quick if I'm going to have anything worthy to swap with this. Have another even bigger Up. :D

Holy...I'll be even closer to you tomorrow as I will be working in Cambridge...as I was today as it happens.

[holy]

Hi Mr Shop,

Why not pop in then - I'm 2 seconds off the A14, Spaldwick junction 18, tel 01480 896821 - in most of the day...anyone else passing?

See ya!

[Striver]

Hi all, wonderfull postings and here is my humble progress. Got a few hours in yesterday and going for real now. canvas on 18 x 14 board. Charcoal sketch. C&C most welcome and appreciated. Any comments from Wes accepted.
Regards
Les http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/10-Nov-2005/8824-Deanna1.J0riginal.jpg http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/10-Nov-2005/8824-dea0ne.jpg

[Anita Murphy]

Nanc - super work! )I am so impressed by the digital portraiture that I think I am just going to have to get a graphics tablet and try it out. ) You have captured a perfect likeness and the lighting is superb!

[Anda G]

Hi, everybody! All these great paintings and here is my scribbling! Nora, love the painting of me. Cool.
This is of Nora in charcoal on bristol paper. I used charcoal powder with a cotton ball first, then the 4b pencil, then blended. I stopped there. CSI was on TV. :D
More to do...
Andagail :wave:

[Lauren F-M]

Well, I'm finally ready to post something! (I've already tried today, but it wouldn't post; not sure if it's my computer or a problem on here.) Just defragged the computer, so I'm hoping it will work this time.

I checked out what's been posted since I was last on, as I've been having a lot of trouble moving around and changing pages, but can now get there (I guess the defragging worked!):

Nanc -- love your digital portrait -- it looks so rich!

Striver -- nice work -- is it pastel on colored pastel paper?

Andagail -- really interesting WIP shots -- started like a ghost, and the image was finally there in the third -- wow! Your technique sounds intriguing.

I did a graphite sketch (6" x 8") of Jocelyn to start things off. First, I tried getting the proportions correct by a measuring method (dividing the vertical face into thirds: hairline to eyebrows, eyebrows to bottom of nose, bottom of nose to bottom of chin), which often needs to be adapted, as not all faces have these proportions, but Jocelyn's face does. However, it just wouldn't come together, so instesd, I just drew by eye, and I think it works. If there are any problem areas, I think they are the nose and the chin/jawline.
It took about 1-1/2 hours.

Once I've worked the bugs out, I'll transfer the image to watercolour paper and do the final in watercolour.

Here goes posting it -- [1] reference photo; [2] my sketch

Lauren
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/10-Nov-2005/20772-Jocelyn1.jpg http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/10-Nov-2005/20772-JocelynPenc1.jpg

[Striver]

Lauren
My piccy at the moment is charcoal on canvas board, treating it as an underpainting. Not quite satisfied yet, think it needs a twink in the eyes nose and lips to finish. Will think on it, however getting near to color it probaly with acrylic.
Les

[Striver]

Lauren, great sketch
L

[Cntrymouse]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Nov-2005/1530-wipsm.jpg I have been procrastinating about showing my wip on here ... shy I guess! But so many have shown their works and it is such a help to see the beginnings and then the finished picture that I suppose my humble attempts will be just that! An attempt to paint Janet. I also don't want her to think I have forgotten about her! I am working in oil pastels on white paper UGH! I wish I had used a color! Backgrounds always scare me!

[maria_khurram]

Ria, thats fantastic. YOu impressed me with your perfection..............WOW:clap::clap::clap:

Joel, ahhhhhhhh beautiful portrait. I have never seen any bad one from you...........you are a master of our time...........:clap: :clap: :clap:

Janet, I love your colors. You play very well with the colors. And likeness is spot on :clap: :clap::clap:

Lauren, your sketch looks awesome. I like it very much. :clap::clap::clap:

[maria_khurram]

Carolyn, you progress bangs. I love it. :clap: :clap: :clap:

Mark, yes crop works here. Impressive skintones. :clap: :clap: :clap:

Nora, superb painting.............Love the skin tones. :clap: :clap: :clap:

Rose, you are doing pretty well. :clap: :clap: :clap:

Sorry if I miss any......:D

[JCoop]

Mark, your "in your face" portrait is very effective... up close and personal. I like!

Nanc, you did a great job to overcome that strong side light. Nice work!

Les, you're doing great at capturing her very interesting pose.

Anda, strong charcoal work. You are making a very powerful statement. CSI can be a distraction.:)


Lauren, you're doing great with Joss. The likeness is right there! It will be interesting to see how you work in the color.

Carolyn, anyone who sees your WIP can tell that you are a talented artist. You're doing just great!

Maria, thanks for your overly generous words.:)

[AHA]

Nanc, I'm really impressed with the portrait you did of me, I especially like how you handled the eyes.
To all others, great efforts and wonderful to see the variety of approaches.

[shells]

Phew!
Finally managed to get a likeness to Leah (but am not quite there according to me 6 year old, who has just informed me that I am going to have to have one more go as Leahs eyebrows are not arched enough in my current version!).
Still, I am posting my work, (as I think I have already been given the worst of the critiques by the aforementioned young person!). The work quality is so amazing, in this thread that i feel really underqualified to comment on anyone elses work. Just want to say that I have had great fun painting Leah and following the work done by everyone else. Thanks Joel for letting me join the group late. Rose (Bard), thanks for posting your WIP with the gridlines, I had forgotten that I could do that and struggled for a likeness for quite a while.

I could'nt quite pull off a caucasian skin tone, as i got some pretty unappetizing mixes with the Cad.red, cad yellow and white that I generally use. So I stuck to what I know, an Indian skin tone!

[eileenclaire]

What a pleasure to scroll through this thread. Such incredible talent from every artist who has participated.

Here's Al (alfredart). It's 11 x 14, oil on canvas with a two color palette. I hope you like it, Al!

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Nov-2005/21757-Al_final.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Nov-2005/21757-alfredart.jpg

[Mark_xiii]

Wonderful work, Eileen! What were the two colours in your palette? I really must try oils sometime...

[Striver]

Eillen
Looks great and two pallett only! Take a bow to thunderous applause.
Les

[jo_b]

I just had to stop by and say that there are some really magnificent portraits here. So many talented artist!!!! Wish I had had time to join in. maybe next time!!!

Congratulations everyone for a job well done :clap: :clap: :clap:

Jodi

[dollardays]

Eileen: That is a truly wonderful portrait of Al! Excellent!!!!!! I know he's gonna like it.
Anda: Great beginning! I can see a resembalnce already. Cool!!!!!!!!
Carolyn: Lovely- truly lovely and interesting and educational to watch someone who works so differently than I do.
Lauren: Your drawing has really captured her essence. The resemblance is unmistakable.

[Lauren F-M]

I appreciate the kind comments on my graphite sketch of Jocelyn -- also a relief to hear that I got a good resemblance. I'll be tracing it on to a good watercolour paper, but probably can't get to it this weekend, as it's way too busy with other 'must-do's. :(

Eileen -- your portrait of Al is absolutely fantastic! Wow! Great resemblance, and I love the character of it. That 2-colour palette works really well, and also resembles the colours that Al uses himself, though in another medium -- VERY clever!! :clap: :clap: :clap:

Lauren :wave:

[jocelynsart]

Holy cow Lauren!!! I just love that! I see me there for sure! I love the way you softened my miserable sort of look there. I look in a bad mood if just looking serious; everyone tells me that lol! So, you corrected that and it is really well done.
I have yours drawn up today and am doing it in wc as well. I will post it Sunday morn, not being around tomorrow.
Thanks so much, it is going to be really good!

Wow, the work posted here, again, is fantastic! I love the reference of Leah as well! What a fab photo and a striking face!

[jocelynsart]

Ok, nevermind! I'll post it now before I head out to sit in a cold arena! lol So Lauren can see it.

Eyeballed to draw as well. Added her cool earring in that showed in her other shot. The painting will be about 6"x8".

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Nov-2005/8354-laurensidebyside.jpg

Closer

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Nov-2005/8354-laurencloser.jpg

[rimbauds shop]

Hello again all.

I did a couple of further sketches since the last one...basically smoothing out some of my harder lines, finding the shapes of features and getting a line drawing I was happy with. Which I did. So I transfered it onto the canvas I'll be painting on. Before I over tinker with it. Here we go.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Nov-2005/57264-Mark4small.JPG

Sorry this is taking so long...time really is a bit full at the moment. I'll hopefully have something a tad more advanced next time.

Incidently... I took Mark (Holy not xiii ) up on his offer to pop round after work.

What a top bloke. A welcome coffee, nice chat and I got to see his paintings in the flesh too. I have to confess that I always thought him a bit photographic (what with my tastes lying mostly with Teutonic Expressionists) but I was really very impressed with the tremendous and subtle painterliness up close. I enjoyed a real change of heart this evening...cheers Mark.

[alfredart]

Hey that's me! Cool beans. Good one Eileen. I do like it. Maybe it's the colors...hmmmm... I never thought about painting in the colors I draw in. I may have to give that a try. I'll be posting yours again as I'm going back in and doing some more work on the background after some comments I got in the D&S forum.

Thanks, ya did good.

Peace,
AL

[Anda G]

Hi, everybody. Thanks for all the nice comments on my drawing of Nora. It is so nice.
Hi, Nora!
I spent some time erasing today. I had the eye in the correct position and it kind of started to slide down all on its own, really it did. :wink2: I seem to have that problem in drawing. I don't know why that is, but I'll scoot it back up there. :D Is the deadline the 28th? :)
See you next time,
Andagail :wave:

[holy]

Mad house at the "Holland-Hicken's"

It was a bonkers night last! My parents have come down for the weekend and we're preparing for my daughter's birthday party on Sunday.

And then we got the call from Dave Rimbauld! I was glad of the distraction. It was funny - I popped out to the service station just down the road to pick up some urgent supplies - and I saw him there filling his car! I recognised him straight away from the photograph and Mark Viii's painting - it was all a little surreal.

There are 55000 members or so on this site - and two actually met! It was good fun to chat, put names to faces and faces to names - exchange a few ideas ...etc.

Looks like Mr Shop got down to business last night too!

Looking forward to seeing what happens next...

Have fun!

[maria_khurram]

Eileen, that is sparkling...............wonderful. This resembles the old masters' work. :)

Joss, trumendous start. You got her likeness.:)

RS, you are off to good start. :clap:

Anda, your portrait of Nora turned out pretty well. Nice:clap:

[Anita Murphy]

Eileen - I really like this. I think its very clever (whether you intended it or not) that you basically used the same palette Al uses in his drawings. Nice touch!

Jocelyn - I know yours will be superb - went and looked at your website (ooh-la-la if I could paint like you I would be happy!)

Mark - sounds like you had a nice get together with the other Mark! Looking forward to seeing what you do with this.

Andagail - hang in there!!!! I know the feeling of things running away from you!!

I have been doing this acrylic version of Rose for the acrylic forum November classroom on portraiture. I'm pleased with it as this is a totally different method of painting for me (to say nothing of not having used any colour at all in months and months!). Now I have got to the stage where I am terrified of doing anything else to it. I know the shadows should be deeper but :eek: So here it is
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/12-Nov-2005/58769-IMG_2300.jpg

[jhercilia]

Janet, I love your colors. You play very well with the colors. And likeness is spot on :clap: :clap::clap:

Thanks Maria. I love colors too.

There are so many great portraits here.
Anita - I love that portrait of Rose. Love the colors.

Carolyn - I love my portrait. I can tell you are a very detail oriented artist. I like it very much. The way you painted me shows me like in a majestic posture. I like it. It is kind of strange seeing myself since nobody ever has really painted me. Cool! Thanks for including the cross.

[Dana Design]

I'm just overwhelmed looking at the talent that is here! Beautiful portraits by and for one and all. Congratulations to everyone...you're the best!

Please! Don't forget to RATE this thread. To me, it deserves all 5 stars! What do you think?

[jhercilia]

Please! Don't forget to RATE this thread. To me, it deserves all 5 stars! What do you think?
I agree.

[eileenclaire]

Thanks to all who commented on my painting. I wish I could comment on each individual one, but I'd have to give up my day job :p. Suffice it to say that I am bowled over by these portraits. I hope to see every artist here posting more portraits in the forum!

[maria_khurram]

Anita, gorgeous one. I am sure Rose will love this portrait. :clap:

5 stars to this thread.

[Lauren F-M]

Catching up again......

What a surprise to see what Jocelyn has done with my image so far. Looking good -- though it is odd to see a portrait of ME -- haven't had a fellow artist draw me since way back in artschool -- in the 1970's! (I haven't tried a self-portrait since then, either!) ;)

Looking forward to seeing what Jocelyn will do next with it. It's SO exciting!! :D

Dave's final sketch of Mark really looks good -- you got him! Looking forward to seeing the paint work happen.

Anda -- your drawing of Nora is looking good!!

Cheers, Lauren :wave: :music:

[Striver]

Hi all
Inspiring all this talent, out of my leaque.
Here is my twinking of Dea, think it is as far as my talent goes, not quite there I feel. Still time and my experience is against me. So unless anyone can point me right, will be coloring it soon.
Canvas on board, charcoal sketch
Les http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/12-Nov-2005/8824-Deanna1.J0riginal.jpg http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/12-Nov-2005/8824-deatwo.jpg

[rosebard]

Les, Anda, Mark, Jocelyn... you guys are doing great!!!

Anita, each time I see what you doing, I get overwhelmed by what I see. Lovely colors for sure. I will proudly hang any one of them on my house. I hope mine comes along just as good as yours. :) :) :)

Just voted for the thread!! 5 star for sure!!

[cascadeoflove]

Wow! Anita, This is beautiful portrait.

"Congrats"

[cascadeoflove]

Les,
Effect is looking cool, waiting to see the finished product. ;-)

[imperess]

hi all,

here is my final quickstudy of chris (midnightbaseball)

camera distorted it some due to the angelof the photograph and i was unable to fix in photoshop. So i appoligize for that!!


approx. 10" x 13" iridescent watercolors/ pastel / iridescent pastel on reverse side of canson paper.

hope you like it chris!!

enjoy!

~carol

:wave:

[Gilberte]

This year's participating artists are posting impressive portraits.

Congrats to all !

[Anita Murphy]

Well Done Striver!!! Nice piece of work!

Carol - very very nice. I bet Chris will love this!

[Lauren F-M]

Les -- your drawing of Deanna is great! Looking forward to the painted version too! :clap:

Carol -- Your watercolour and pastel portrait of Chris is amazing! I love the colour palette, and you really caught him -- I'm sure he will love it! :clap:

I also gave this thread 5 stars; wish I could give it more! :angel:

Cheers, Lauren :wave: :music:

[cascadeoflove]

Hey Imperess! This is cool man ;-) Wow

[Mark_xiii]

Here's an update on Dave (Rimbaud's Shop). In the lens you can see how the colours are blocked in ready for blending - The light is fading and I'm ready to drop so no more today.

I had expected to be somewhere near finished today but the real world gets in the way. I'm probably not going to get much time to work on it again before Wed / Thurs either :(

Anyway, as always C&C's more than welcome.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/13-Nov-2005/40453-Dave4x.jpg

[Striver]

Thanks Anita , Lauren. My that is a powerful painting Carol, really looks great.
Les

[impshlady]

OMG i havent been on for a couple of days and look what happens! such grreat work, and really nice to see all the wips and different sketches.

i'd like to say a big thankyou and well done to Shaila for making me look so much healthier than IRL and for persevering! i love my portrait and am flattered that shaila has my portrait of her as her avatar now! (athough you can see the black line across it from the scanner...i'll try and get a better scan for you Shaila!)

Love the portrait of Al btw my husband was very impressed by the facial hair! he's always experimenting with what shape beard to have, sideburns etc...i never know who i'm going to be married to next! its a lovely portrait of a great subject ;)

Leah

[dollardays]

Mark: Your painting of Dave is killer. R U leaving the little bits of white in his beard? Just curious.
Nora

[artbabe21]

Incredible work everyone!! I'm in awe of you talented members!! :)

Mark, I understand the feeling of meeting another WC member...in my years here I have met 5 & it's been an absolute pleasure! Pampe & I live 5 hours away & still are trying to meet up! It's terrific when that happens! :)

[cascadeoflove]

What a thread! Wow. :clap:
Today I have also done something in Oil Pastels. This work took almost 2 and Half Hour and done in one sitting. I am sharing this artwork with you all. Here is the 1st Stage.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/13-Nov-2005/30215-stage_1.jpg

[cascadeoflove]

Here is the 2nd Stage. http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/13-Nov-2005/30215-stage_2.jpg

[cascadeoflove]

3rd Stage :p
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/13-Nov-2005/30215-stage_3.jpg

[cascadeoflove]

Wow its almost through :clap: C&C Welcome.

Few days back I say this portrait in a library book. I was unlucky because the librarian refused to give that big book for my studio. From that day the same portrait was in my mind, And today I seriously blow that whatever I recorded in my mind. So here is that. Enjoy :p

4th Stage http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/13-Nov-2005/30215-stage_4.jpg

[Lauren F-M]

Wow, Mark -- this is REALLY going well! I am SO impressed.
From the little experience I have with Gouache, I know that it is not easy to work with. You have mastered it! Love the crop and the intensity it gives to Dave'e expression. This is one portrait whose gaze might follow the viewer around the room!

Great work!! I look forward to your next instalment! :clap: :clap: :clap:

Cheers, Lauren :wave: :music:

[QUOTE=Mark_xiii]Here's an update on Dave (Rimbaud's Shop). In the lens you can see how the colours are blocked in ready for blending - The light is fading and I'm ready to drop so no more today.

I had expected to be somewhere near finished today but the real world gets in the way. I'm probably not going to get much time to work on it again before Wed / Thurs either :(

Anyway, as always C&C's more than welcome.

[imperess]

hi guys--

You guys are too kind .. I know istill have miles of improvements in my work to make!LOL Every one here is doing such great work its wonderful to see artist from all over comming together!!


---Mark_xiii----
I love that close crop its awesome and intense!


keep painting all... so much talent here its crazy!

~carol