The Portrait Gallery, April, 2009

[Dana Design]

The Portrait Gallery, April, 2009
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What's on your easel this month? Show a finished portrait or one in any stage of progress. This thread is for showcasing your work; others will only critique your work if you request it .

Here is a link in case you need help attaching your art work:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/44487/496/

So please show us what you've been up to this month. We'd love to see it.

Even if you have already shown it in the main portraiture forum, you are invited to showcase it in this thread, also, as this thread will remain in the Library Archives.

And be sure to check out previous Portrait Galleries. Lots of great work in there!

[greywolf-art]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Apr-2009/178945-heather_dancing_final.jpg

just got this finished yesterday, its a portrait of my daughter Heather dancing.

[Dana Design]

Gorgeous little face. Well done!

[LGHumphrey]

This is Master Warrant Officer Mario Mercier, of the Royal 22nd Regiment, killed in Afghanistan on 22 Aug. 2007. A Canadian hero and patriot.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-Apr-2009/60616-P1030310.JPG

[Barbie Bud]

Hi, just finished this one. I call it "Flowers In Her Hair". This is oil on a 11 X 14 Raymar panel. http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-Apr-2009/129955-IMG_1268.JPG

[Sherry Pettey]

This is a colored pen and ink on 17" x 14" paper, and the people here are four generations of one family. The Greatgrandmother loves hummingbirds and Hawaiian type themes.

Sherry

[rtouve]

the portraits are very impressed

[Dana Design]

I've been working on this for awhile and with dcorc's help think I'm close to finished. It's oil on gallery wrapped canvas at 20x16 inches. Just another little kid. Let me know what you think!

[Dana Design]

LG, these posthumous portraits just are so sad but you've painted this well in your own inimitable style. Well done.

Barbie Bud, I think you might want to reduce the size of the armpit on the right as it looks to extend a bit far. Other than that, a darling portrait of what looks like a sassy little girl! :D

Sherry, all I can say is WOW! That's a lot of work and this looks like it's going to be a keeper heirloom.

[greywolf-art]

looking good dana, but I think you have a bit too much blue in the corners of the eyes, a warmer or at least more neutral colour would work better IMHO

barbie, I agree with dana about the armpit, it does look too elongated

[LGHumphrey]

Thanks Dana, here's another posthumous one, it's my sister, Joane Humphrey, known on Canadian radio and TV as JJ McColl. She died of ALS--motor neuron disease to Brits and Ozzies--6 months ago.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/04-Apr-2009/60616-P1030323.JPG

I think tomorrow I'll move the pupil on our left a bit more into the middle of the iris.

[Dana Design]

Greywolf, thanks! I'll try that. I just didn't want the blues to scream BLUE! so I spread it around a bit.

LG, What a LOVELY woman. Well done, old boy!

[M.Rock]

434055
I'm just trying to finish this one up. Am I done? Opinions welcome.

[Dana Design]

M.Rock, don't know. If you could give us a reference for this pic, we could tell you. We'd like to help. It looks as tho' his face is smaller than hers and her back seems to grow to the left and perhaps not enough arm? Don't know, againl! A ref pic would help.

[M.Rock]

M.Rock, don't know. If you could give us a reference for this pic, we could tell you. We'd like to help. It looks as tho' his face is smaller than hers and her back seems to grow to the left and perhaps not enough arm? Don't know, againl! A ref pic would help.

Thanks. I don't have a really good picture to upload but at least you'll have some kind of reference. I notice the picture of my painting looks a little washed out on my posting, please keep that in mind. You're suggestions are really helpful. I appreciate any advice.
434059

[jmckelvin]

I just finished this yesterday. It's my first self portrait since I started wearing glasses. It's a small drawing (5" x 7"), I just wanted to draw myself with glasses once before I went into my next big self portrait.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/05-Apr-2009/174354-people_20.jpg

[greywolf-art]

Greywolf, thanks! I'll try that. I just didn't want the blues to scream BLUE! so I spread it around a bit.


Yeah I see where you are coming from but by spreading the colour around the eye you've actually drawn even more attention to the blue!!

Might I suggest maybe working a touch of blue into the back ground instead, perhaps a touch of blue lightly scumbled over the red-browns in places so the underlying colour shows through, it would only need to be subtle BTW.

[greywolf-art]

jmckelvin, I like this portrait, though I'm not sure what is happening with your left eye - it looks like it is closed which makes it look a bit odd

[jmckelvin]

Greywolf, thanks. Both eyes are supposed to be closed. There was a glare on the left that does come off a bit odd. I'll have to watch out for things like that in the large drawing.

[Bnsmalkin]

:clap: :clap: :clap:

I think I am getting close to done:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/06-Apr-2009/99680-800x800_54.jpg
Thanks for looking, if you see something please say so. :D :thumbsup:

Sharon :wave:

[Dana Design]

Looking better and better! Feather the line around the hairline a bit, soften it so that it blends in with her forehead. Great work on the nose!

[Bnsmalkin]

:wave:
Thanks Dana!

I really did not like the background ECL sugessted I should grey it back so she would be more dimensional that it was too saturated. I figured the background would be fairly easy to work with so I did:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Apr-2009/99680-800x800_55.jpg
My husband thinks that this is better, he thought that the high chroma was the underpainting. I let him. :lol:
Should I take this further back?? :confused:

Dana how would I soften with skin or hair? Thanks! :)

Sharon :wave:

[Dana Design]

Rather than having a dark line define the hair, lighten it where the light hits it and softly brush some of the hair color down onto the forehead. Soft strands. Blend some of the forehead into the hair as well.

LPGA, huh? Was one of those once!

Here's another using dark hair.

[Bnsmalkin]

Dana
Thank you sooo much and for the examples too. This helps me more than I can say. Now I need to get brave and just do it!!! LOL

Dana what about the background any suggestions on how to fix it?!?

Thank you for your help,
Sharon

[Dana Design]

Ok, first she needs to have broader shoulders...extend them a bit even if they go off the canvas on the right and remember that shoulders dip a bit as they go down.

The bg looks a bit too saturated with all that blue altho' it does highlight her pretty face. I'd go much lighter with the blue background and then graduate the color if you like from lighter at the top to darker toward the bottom. This is just my preferencee when I paint and is not a 'rule' or anything like that. You could leave the bottom of the bg as is but lighten the top considerably and gradate the color from top to bottom.

You've done so well on the face! Just goes to show hard work is worth it as I've watched you struggle with this. Hope you learned a lot because it certainly looks as tho' you have. Brava!

[Bnsmalkin]

Dana

Thank you :wave: :thumbsup: :D

First an update,
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Apr-2009/99680-800x800_59.jpg
I have started to soften the edges around the hairline, (the sizing and upload is screwing with me,making this grainy. Sorry) I hope you can still see.
If I understand you, her right shoulder our left needs to made larger? Brought off the canvas? I am sorry for being so unknowledgeable but I truely am grateful that you are here and have so much expeirience.
Thank you for your valuble time and all the encouragement, you are an excellent teacher! :heart: :D :thumbsup:

Sharon

[greensyster]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Apr-2009/135872-choke.jpg

This is a tiny section of a large work I am doing.

I am so exhausted with it I just want someone to say Oh Yes That's Brilliant :lol: :lol:

Lawrence - both great portraits but I must say the one of your sister is absolutely superb! What a lady she was - !

[Bnsmalkin]

:wave: Good Morning everyone :wave:
I have been working on this and I still don't have the shoulder right. Please if someone can show me what I am doing wrong I would be really, really grateful. In the mean time I have been working on her hairline:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Apr-2009/99680-800x800_61.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Apr-2009/99680-800x800_62.jpg

If you see something Please say so. :thumbsup: :D

This is turning into a terrific lesson, I have learned more on this portrait than the others that I have done. :D

Sharon :wave:

[LGHumphrey]

greensyster, let me be the first to say it, Oh Yes That's Brilliant, I mean, it really is. How big is the whole painting going to be? A commission?

Thanks for your kind remarks.

[jmckelvin]

I have been working on this and I still don't have the shoulder right.

Sharon :wave:

I think the shoulder is a bit to square and a bit too large. If you make it a little smaller and round it off a bit it should be closer to the photo.

[Bnsmalkin]

Thank you Jessica. It really helps sometimes to see thru someone elses eyes.

Sharon

[Bnsmalkin]

:wave:
update:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Apr-2009/99680-800x800_63.jpg
Is that shoulder any better?

Sharon :wave:

[WC Lee]

A quick charcoal pencil and chalk sketch of a friend of mine

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Apr-2009/122017-20090409_charcoal_hyun_9_x_12.jpg

[Bnsmalkin]

W.C. Lee
Did you post this in the right place?
Sharon

[Bnsmalkin]

I guess you did, it came up wrong on my computor, sorry.

This terrific sketch!!!!

Sharon

[VicFromBayville]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/10-Apr-2009/181289-VLLFeb09PortraitChallenge.jpg
Late entry for Feb Challenge.

[RWSewell]

Working with French Gray Prismacolor pencils...working very slow with this. :)

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/10-Apr-2009/81425-100_2337.jpg

:cool: Rob

[CarolaH]

i think i am finished with this one.http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/13-Apr-2009/143124-A_moment_in_prayer.JPG
This is done in pastels on ampersand pastel board.
C&C welcome.

[Bnsmalkin]

:clap: :clap:

:wave:
Update;
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/14-Apr-2009/99680-800x800_69.jpg
Thanks for looking. :D

Sharon :wave:

[RandyP]

Lots of fine work in the portrait gallery! Kudos, everyone!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Decided to try a self portrait. I did most of this yesterday, and used this afternoon to make some adjustments. I tried to keep it loose and not over blend things. I worked from a photo and with a mirror. 8x10" oil on gessoed panel.

Thanks for looking!!

Randy


http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/14-Apr-2009/42691-Self_Portrait_Web.jpg

[CarolaH]

really nice work everyone is doing.

Randy i like your loose strokes and the way the gesso leaves the texture on the panel. i need to loosen up!

[tamid]

Randy, this is great! Love your technique, the eyes are super!

[tamid]

Hi all!

You all have lovely work here, I would love your critique and comments on my own! Thanks!

tami

[larubia]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/15-Apr-2009/75590-Picture43.jpg wip...had put this aside for a couple of months..now getting back into it.

[catstongue]

This is an oil on canvas...only my third portrait ( human, that is! ) I haven't done much with the hair or hair line and I'm quite sure the skin tones are too cool...trying to figure out where the warm and cool ones go. I'm letting it dry well now so I can start working on layers again!

Catstongue

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d134/painterox/PortraitStephanie018.jpg
Reference photo...
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d134/painterox/ModelPictures020.jpg

[ALBuslovich]

I'm so happy with this portrait, have to show it everywhere :D
C&c are as always very welcome!

Alex

[CarolaH]

too sweet! how adorable. good job.

[zuzubol]

Some great work and a wide variety of styles here this month.
Here is where I am at with the portrait of our daughter I started last month. Not finished yet and learning lots.
Thanks for looking,
Len

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Apr-2009/59437-OnaOilPainting_April_20_full_wc.jpg

[zuzubol]

Alex you've done a beautiful job with this...and my only suggestion would be to watch your values. I think that adding darker values to the shadowed parts would really add some more depth and dimension to your painting.
Len

[patrikbkarl]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/21-Apr-2009/126363-DSC_0048.JPG
No 4 in my melancholic girl series of oilpaintings
all comments welcome

[janeymac]

Some great work and a wide variety of styles here this month.
Here is where I am at with the portrait of our daughter I started last month. Not finished yet and learning lots.
Thanks for looking,
Len

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Apr-2009/59437-OnaOilPainting_April_20_full_wc.jpg


OMG Len...This is absolutely gorgeous! Sign it! Leona must be one happy girl! You're really nailing the portraits buddy....:clap:

Wonderful work on this thread altogether!

[greywolf-art]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/24-Apr-2009/178945-woman_in_red_hood.jpg

a study in conte pastels

[Bnsmalkin]

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
Everyone's work is terrific. So many different styles. :thumbsup: :D

My new project;
8x10 oil
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/24-Apr-2009/99680-800x800_8.jpg
Only a couple hours of drawing time so far. I think I am ready to lay in the values, unless you guys see something then please say so. :thumbsup:

Sharon :wave:

[bjcpaints]

Xpost from the Weekend Drawing Event - AMAE. Quick drawing of a cute little boy named Dylan. I am trying to learn people after painting mostly animals for the past 6-7 years.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/26-Apr-2009/49636-wde_april_24,_2009_baby_dylan.jpg

Hard to get that cupid bow little mouth right!

[Dana Design]

Barbara, shading here would make all the difference and make the features appear more lifelike and give depth to the face. See this:
http://www.alexhays.com/loomis/Andrew%20Loomis%20-%20Drawing%20the%20Head%20and%20Hands.pdf See page 95 and forward.

Still in print and a good book to have!

[Bnsmalkin]

:wave:
Dana Thank you for the Link to Andrew Loomis. Really good. :thumbsup:

Update;
Entering the ugly stage;
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/26-Apr-2009/99680-800x800_13.jpg
This is showing bluer than it is. Must be the digital camera.
I have started to work on the values. Ultimately his eyes will be hazel.
If you see something please say so. :thumbsup:

Sharon :wave:

[WC Lee]

a quick portrait study

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/27-Apr-2009/122017-20090427_oil_portrait_sketch_10_x_8.jpg

Oil on board, 10 x 8

[macrobertson]

at this months portrait session the model cancelled, and the eight year old grandaughter of the group's coordinator filled in instead :)

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/28-Apr-2009/14751-IMGP0900.JPG

Mac

[kleankut]

a couple quick little drawings
http://i42.tinypic.com/53utt5.jpg
file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Owner/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.jpghttp://i43.tinypic.com/102wkzs.jpg
http://i42.tinypic.com/2eed2tv.jpg
file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Owner/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg

[kleankut]

http://i43.tinypic.com/102wkzs.jpg

[kleankut]

http://i41.tinypic.com/f1ed5k.jpg

[LGHumphrey]

Wow, Mac, glad the model cancelled, you got a beautiful portrait out of it.

[macrobertson]

Lawrence I'm glad too, it's the first time we've had a child to paint!

here's another one from photo that someone emailed me last year to do before Christmas... and I forgot about until this week :o

16 x 12 oil
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/29-Apr-2009/14751-IMGP0944.JPG

Mac