The storyteller - Finished

[mang]

Hi, 3/4 of the way through this one, I think! Liked the light effects, having fun....
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/04-Jul-2009/99038-dun1.JPG

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/04-Jul-2009/99038-dun2.JPG

[Colorix]

Margaret, you're amazing! How can you make a gaze so captivating even when the person is in profile and looking away?! Contrast alone can't achieve that!

Can I ask you something? Do you have a sensation of sculpting the likeness with colour and light on a 2D surface while you paint?

Your subject looks very much like my maternal grandfather, when he was elderly and starting to get frail.

Thank you for letting us see it as a wip!

Charlie

[Ruthie57]

This is breathtaking! Just the way I would like to learn to use my pastels. Any tips?

[Donna T]

Wow ... this is awesome! Thanks for the close-up - the eye is so lifelike!

Donna

[helenh]

Gorgeous portrait. That eye - WOW!

[mang]

THank you Helen and Donna..
Hello Charlie, I do actually think about sculpting as I paint, that's why I like to grab hold of the pastels and grind them in sometimes
Good to keep the arm moving too. Glad this reminded you of your grandfather

Ruthie; I would say just let go...It's easy to draw with pastels and get cautious, but they're great for playing with too.
It's lovely to have dust everywhere, and look like a coal miner by the end of a painting!

[CarolaH]

what a beautiful piece.

[Punky2]

Like Charlie said, captivating. I just want to stare at this portrait. It must be some story he's telling. I want to hear what he's saying.
Excellent work!

Terri

[mudfish]

Its riveting. 'nuff said.

[kennychaffin]

OMG! This is incredible! Watching and waiting with open mouth!

[Lynne Vokatis]

wow...i just leaned forward to look at him....amazing!!!!lynne

[ReineBlanche2]

Wonderful work. I was braking my neck to study himin detail too1 Anna

[sekulastudio]

Wow!

[snowfall]

wonderful work!

Pam

[AliciaS]

love the eyes!

[mooz49]

What a beautiful piece Margaret ....that eye is wonderful .... :thumbsup:

[bnoonan]

This is grabbing! Really tender and wonderful! Barb

[mang]

THat's great, thank you!
What do you think of the background? Should I work it up much more, or leave it loose?

[Biedel]

This is a beautiful peice. Well done Biedel

[Colorix]

What about keeping bg loose, and working it a tad more? On screen, the green glow comes forward just a tad too much (might look just right IRL, as what is on screen isn't actual reality), so it looks to be on level with the mouth.

Will definitely come back to see updates.

Charlie

[mang]

I'll post again once the background's done, thank you

[ARTMUTT]

Amazing!! Wow!

[mang]

Thank you Beth Ann, I'll have to get down to finishing this!

[FaeLynn]

I love it. A touching look. I would love to hear what he's talking about!
Beautiful pastel work.

[PETE K]

It's just fantastic.

[mang]

Thank you FaeLynn and Pete, the update's almost ready to post
I made progress with it yesterday; the main challenge as usual is trying not to overdo it!

[joolee]

I thought I'd already responded to this one (perhaps in Portraits). Anyway, just want to add my praise. I am really taken by how you have used colour in the skin here (I have much to learn from this) and the lovely clear eye. Really excellent!
Jools

[mang]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/10-Jul-2009/99038-DSC_0001_1.JPG



http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/10-Jul-2009/99038-imgbysize.jpg

Wouldn't mind C+C on this one, I quite liked the original, unfinished look....Trying hard not to overwork it!

[Susan Jenkins]

I also like a more unfinished and painterly look, but I really don't think you've overworked here. It has a loosness to it still.

I really like where you have taken this. It looks great to me at this stage.
:) susan

[Colorix]

I think it is fantastic! He's in a context, and you can almost see how he "spins his yarn" in the flow of colour around him.

The vignetted version was maybe purer and simpler, which definitely has great advantages.

I can only give you my personal reaction: The first got an "oh!", and the finished got "OH!!!", *with* goosebumps.

Charlie

[InkyEss]

Wonderful! :clap: I see pictures taking shape in the background like he conjures up images with his stories.... in the same way your painting encourages the viewer's imagination to participate. I love the looseness and the unfinished look, it's just perfect. :thumbsup:

[mang]

THank you Jools ...

[kennychaffin]

Well, I guess I have to say it. I don't care for all that bright green background - otherwise I love, love, love it! The green was not nearly as evident in the wip. Sorry Mang. Others may love it, but I have to tell ya true. :(

I am a bit confused by the smaller image that does not have the green? Is that from the WIP?

[Lisa Fiore]

I love this painting.

[Weakskills]

I think the intensity of his gaze makes this, makes you want to stop and wait for his next word. :thumbsup:

[mang]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/10-Jul-2009/99038-storyteller.jpg

[mang]

Thank you for your replies!
Kenny; I think he's showing up a bit more lime green than reality, but I appreciate your comment and I'll certainly have another look; he's not framed, so adjustments are fine. The other image is the WIP

Here's a better photo ;



http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/10-Jul-2009/99038-storyteller.jpg

[kennychaffin]

Yeah, definitely more appealing in that second image! May have been some glare or something :confused: I do love it!

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Just wish I was capable of doing something anywhere near this!

[Kathryn Wilson]

I've combined the two threads - for continuity sake. If we leave them in two places, future looks at one thread or the other will have to go find the other.

[kennychaffin]

Thank you Kathryn, I was going to mention that for future reference it would make more sense to have the final in the same thread so readers can follow the progress and learn from it.

[seosamhin]

Absolutely wonderful portrait.
Julia

[mudfish]

Just amazing.

[mang]

I'm very grateful for your comments, thank you..I'm thinking of framing/exhibition soon.
Thanks Kathryn for sorting out the thread, I don't think I've posted a WIP before, it probably shows!!

[cornwall]

Ecellent,brilliant use of pastel.

[mang]

Thank you Mark!

[GaryNorthants]

Excellent
Gary

[SMiller2]

Awesome work... love it!

[mang]

Thank you both!
Margaret

[mang]

Just a PS on this one, he won an exhibition prize last weekend
Thank you for all the encouraging comments, I felt confident enough to enter him, still surprised to have won though!

[KensBrush]

Congrats - you shouldnt be surprised about winning - it is a stunning piece that visually presents the story and deserves the recognition. Wonderful work.

[kennychaffin]

Just a PS on this one, he won an exhibition prize last weekend
Thank you for all the encouraging comments, I felt confident enough to enter him, still surprised to have won though!

:clap: :clap: :clap: Wonderful News! I know this one was special! :clap: :clap: :clap:

[hewill4giveu]

This is fantastic it looks like its been painted.

[bnoonan]

Congratulations! It gives me faith that the jurors knew what was special.

Hurrah for you! Barb

[crazywoman53]

This one deserved an award! Congratulations!!!! Wonderful work.

[DAK723]

Wow! I missed this while I was on vacation! A stunning portrait! A very deserving prize winner! Congratulations! :clap:

Don

[wal_t]

mang, this is great work ! regards, walter

[mang]

Thanks Guys!!:)

[claydesigner2156]

You have a gift!!! To evoke such feeling from a painting is truly amazing. You sense the frailty of the man...yet wanting to hear all he has to tell from his life ...and experience. Like listening to your grandpa and how it was when he was young... Quite an emotional painting. Want to see more..

Yvonne

[mang]

Thank you Yvonne, you just made my day!