My Daughters (Jennifer)

[Shelley P]

Here's the first of 2 portraits that I did. This one is my younger daughter, painted on Arches 140lb cp - 8"x10".

Colours are:
Opera + Raw Sienna (skin tone)
Burnt Umber
Ultramarine Blue (green shade)
Hookers Green Dark
Permanent Rose

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Mar-2008/50468-Jen_step_1.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Mar-2008/50468-Jen_step_2.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Mar-2008/50468-Jen_step_3.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Mar-2008/50468-Jen_step_4.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Mar-2008/50468-Jen_step_5.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Mar-2008/50468-Jen_step_6.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Mar-2008/50468-Jen_step_7.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Mar-2008/50468-Jen_step_8.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Mar-2008/50468-Jen_step_9.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Mar-2008/50468-Jen_step_10.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Mar-2008/50468-Jen_step_11.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Mar-2008/50468-detail_A.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Mar-2008/50468-detail_B.jpg

Since only one thread is allowed per day, I'll post the other portrait tomorrow.

Shelley

[giddy up]

This is FANTASTIC...........WOW.......OPERA and RAW SIENNA!!!!??....
not in a million years would I have dreamed of that as a flesh tone.........

you are too good............it scares me..........hehe.....really
I just LOVE your work Shelley.....

Greg :)

[olliewood0702]

Shelley, after looking at this step by step of Jennifer's portrait the eyes look to be equal. Hmm.....too weird....guess it's just my eyes. Anyway......STUNNING work.....I'm like Greg.....opera and raw sienna??? for skin tones......just amazing work here. Your girls are SO GORGEOUS! AND......they look just like you!! ;)

[giddy up]

do you mix them in different values......or layer over the top of the other
when dry???? skin that is......

G

[Shelley P]

do you mix them in different values......or layer over the top of the other
when dry???? skin that is......

G
Yes Greg. I do both. More pink for the cheeks and more Raw Sienna on the sunlit side. I did this in many layers, allowing each to dry thoroughly between layers. I also added a little Ultramarine Blue and/or Burnt Umber in the shadow areas of the skin.

You'll notice that there's a real difference in the complexions of each of my daughters. Jennifer is more olive-skinned like me and Lindsay is much paler and pink-toned like her dad. I used a different pink for Lindsay, but definitely cut back on the Raw Sienna to give the different skin tone.

Shelley

[giddy up]

I never thought Opera could get thin and light enough to use for much
of anything......it is such and intense color.........and bold almost neon
in intensity.......hmmmmmmm.......will have to play with that.........

the hair on Jen is lovely........but the hair on Lindsay.....is mind boggling.......
you must have a lot of patience............

just wonderful

Greg :)

[Cheri Lee]

Shelley~
Your WIP is most impressive! Thanks so much for sharing! I'm a bit sheepish about doing skin tones. But your work is inspirational! I appreciate seeing the progression when you layered the skin tones and especially your color choices. I never would've thought to use them. Yet they are exceptional. What a lovely surprise. :clap: I can't wait to see your other daughter's portrait.

Cheri Lee

[Cats paw]

What can I say...stunning, lovely, impressive, fantastic, all the above. Thanks for posting these wip photos, enjoyed seeing them.

[Ms. Gee]

I'm not the slightest bit surprised that this is stunningly beautiful! I soooooo admire your work! Your daughter is beautiful! Can't wait for tomorrow!

Grace

[Yorky]

Wonderful technique Shelley with beautiful results.

By the way the "one thread per day" rule is only for the Watercolor Gallery where we get upwards of 25 paintings a day and is to stop threads being pushed off the front page by multiple posts. There is no such rule in the Studio.

Doug

[keysgram]

:clap: Shelly....this is wonderful!!! I am so impressed with your talent!!

Thank you so much for sharing your technique with us!:clap: :thumbsup:

[Jenoir]

Wow, just saw this one too. Just beautiful, I love the step by step-makes me think I can do it just as good!!! Well, it's just a thought!!

[Srishti]

WWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Shelly,
This is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Look at those eyebrows!!! One can see individual hair!!! And tha hair on the head itself is so gorgeous!Not to mention that freckly look how did you do that??? :clap: :clap:
She is so beautiful and does look just like you!
I can't wait to see the second one!!!
Just amazing!

[bluegenes]

Shelley, this is stunning! And so is your daughter! Wow!!!

:clap:

Patty

[Yoolie]

Very beautiful! Your paintings and your daughters :clap:
--
julia

[CharM]

I'm always playing with pigments for skin tones... I'm really surprised at your choice of Opera, though... it looks gorgeous, mind you... Your wip is fantastic!

[monikadeo]

This is fantastic Shelley! Thanks for sharing the WIP.

-Monika.

[Cheri Lee]

Hi Shelley~
I thought you did an outstanding job on Jennifer's portrait and just saw Lindsay's beautiful portrait in the March 2008 Showcase. What lovely work!

Cheri Lee

[SCrowe]

Hi Shelley!:wave:
Wow! Fantastic job!:clap: I think I could learn a whole lot from you!!! Can I ask what brush sizes you use for hair and eye lashes??
...outstanding job! Well done!

(another) Shelley:lol:

[Shelley P]

Hi Shelley!:wave:
Wow! Fantastic job!:clap: I think I could learn a whole lot from you!!! Can I ask what brush sizes you use for hair and eye lashes??
...outstanding job! Well done!

(another) Shelley:lol:

Hi Shelley,
I like rounds for watercolour. I use a fairly large round with a nice point which allows the brush to carry lots of colour, but still allows me to paint fine lines if I want. I find you need a brush that'll hold lots, if you don't want to run out of paint in the middle of a long stroke. I like a round instead of a script liner because you can vary the width of the stroke with more or less pressure. The script liner is better suited for just thin lines. I believe I used a size #10 on the hair (after laying a wash of colour first). For the eyelashes, I also used a round but smaller, size #4. The point of the brush is important for achieving taped lines, like the eyelashes. Hope that answers your question.
Shelley

[Netty]

Hello Shelly,
Your portraits are really beautifully painted, with patience and skill... I love the methods you have used here, very soft and realistic.

I am new to watercolour, being a pastelist, and have studied Susan Harrison Tustain's DVD on her portraiture, and worked through half ..I can say I am loving the method which I can tell is very similar to yours...

It is so wonderful to see each layer of colour bring life to a portrait. To see the skin tones take shape and evolve so beautifully.

Thankyou so much for posting your progress,
It is inspiring and I think I might go and paint right now!!! :P

Annie:)

[carolyn2001]

That portrait is absolutely gorgeous! Unbelievable, actually (to a beginner like me)!! I loved watching the progression.....thanks for posting the stages...

(I just joined WC, thus commenting on a past post)

Totally awestruck in CT!!!,

Carolyn
:) :) :)

[Naturesway]

Wow totally stunned, even looking at your step by step I can't figure out how you did such an amazing work of art, could never do that myself! Beautiful work, beautiful subject!

[BTID]

Shelley...can't really add any words that haven't already been said!! Always done skin tones one way, may be rethinking that in the future after seeing this!! Thanks so much for sharing!!