The Portrait Gallery, December 2009

[Dana Design]

The Portrait Gallery, December, 2009-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 .

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!

[Roxie Real]

I just finished this for my nephew. It will be his wife's Christmas gift. 20x24 oil on canvas. Roxiehttp://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Dec-2009/129150-000_0004.jpg

[lovin art]

Hi Everyone, thankyou Dana for hosting, Lovely Portrait of your Nephew Roxie:thumbsup: i'm sure he will love it...

This is oh, my 5th:eek: drawing of my Daughter trying to get the likness before i paint her....i think i've got her this time!

Sandra

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-Dec-2009/186639-DSCN3483.JPG

[Lauren F-M]

Roxie -- that portrait is really sweet -- I'm sure they will love it! :clap:

Sandra -- Lovely expression on her face. You've captured a look that is fleeting and of that age. If it was to be a finished drawing, I'd suggest to soften or lighten the hair, as the handling of it seems a bit incongruent compared with how you've done the face & it looks kind of heavily gelled. However, you say it is a study before a painting, so I think you've done your job well! :thumbsup:

[lovin art]

Thankyou Lauren:smug: , I was very pleased with how this one turned out, I was hoping Kevin would take a look at this as it was with his help which made me keep at this! and thankyou for the comment on her expression, its just what I hope to attain when I start painting her...:D

Sandra

[Dana Design]

Roxie, I just love that shy gesture of the little boy. It's so believable.

Sandra, just a truly lovely portrait. I'm betting you can't wait to paint this!

[lovin art]

Gee's:D thankyou Dana, and your right I can't wait to get stuck into her, only hope I do her as much justice, as in real-life she's just to beautiful for words!....

Sandra

[Dana Design]

Sandra, the eyes are just beautiful! Can't wait to see this in color. (I'm a color person!)

[lovin art]

Dana, me too:D , you cant beat it, makes you feel your emotions, theres nothing quite like it.....

Sandra

[PatrickHedges]

My second oil painting ever. Still working on it. 18" x 18"

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Dec-2009/60252-Second_Spitzkoppe_Girl_05.JPG

[Lauren F-M]

Patrick - this is looking wonderful! :clap: Heck, I like the way the head looks -- esp. against that textured background -- at this point & would be tempted to leave it at the grisaille point. One thing -- is the neck really that thin on the reference? :confused:

I'm working on a portrait study at my weekly Wednesday morning portraiture group, and am posting up 2 WIP shots from the first week. The first is at some point -- perhaps about an hour -- and the second is from the end of that session, about 2 hours in. Working in pastel pencils on cream Stonehenge paper. (I worked on it again today, but haven't downloaded the photo yet. Will post that up in a day or so.)
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Dec-2009/20772-Cwip1.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Dec-2009/20772-Cwip2.jpg

[Dana Design]

Patrick, it appears as tho' you're 'nailing' oils! With your drawing skills, it should be an easy leap toward making beautiful art. The oils forum has great advice should you need it.

Lauren, Just a truly lovely beginning. Such a wonderful face!

[lovin art]

Beautiful Portrait, Patrick love the tonal value....

Lauren, Beautiful wip, great strong facial features to render...

Sandra.

[TruEnuff]

Hi All,
I found a lovely photo in the image library and decided to attempt a portrait. There's no way I'm doing justice to the lady in the picture, but here's my WIP after about two hours of block in. The backlighting is a challenge, especially where it comes through her hair. After this sets up, it's going to be fun to try to capture that.

It's oil on acrylic gessoed canvas, 9x12.

Keep Painting! :wave:

[Sana Almimar]

A lovely painting Bruce ,and very delicate colors

[Dana Design]

Bruce, this is going to be dynamite! You've already captured a beautiful expression. Keep us posted on this.

[Lauren F-M]

Bruce, This is a nice start to a challenging exercise! :thumbsup:
Good size to do it, I think. I'm looking forward to seeing this progress, and to seeing the backlit hair, as that can really add drama to a portrait. :D

After Wednesday's morning portrait session, here is where I am on Caroline's portrait -- another 1-1/2 to 2 hours work:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/05-Dec-2009/20772-Cwip3.jpg

Detail:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/05-Dec-2009/20772-Cwip3D.jpg

[CPP]

My wife Charlyn. It's only my third portrait in oil ever (I made one in acrylics which was my first ever).

I called it "Come on" because of her little bit impish expression.

From photograph on linen. Did a grisaille first.

30 x 40 cm

[Lauren F-M]

CPP -- this is beautiful! :clap: Your third portrait in oils? Wow! :eek:
Love also that it's like the pose used in Vermeer's 'Girl in a Pearl Earring." :thumbsup:

[CPP]

Thanks Lauren!

Yes, the pose is "stolen" and - she is beautiful. :heart:

[Bride]

Patrick what a beautiful, striking portrait, i couldn't really say what caught my eye about it because I am a novice in all mediums but it really caught my attention, you have caught the freshness and beauty of the child"s face.
Truenuff what a beautiful portrait... it looks like me... wishful thinking!! I like the way you have captured her smile and the way the light shines through her hair colouring.

[zuzubol]

CPP - your portrait is stunning! Thanks for sharing.
Patrick - great composition....and beautifully done.
Lauren - Thanks for sharing the progress with this portrait. I look forward to seeing it complete.

Here is one that I am working on and it is about 90% done. It is a portrait of our friend from Romania. This painting was done from a photo that was taken of her on one of her mountain climbing expeditions.
Any C & C appreciated.
Thanks for looking,
Len

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/06-Dec-2009/59437-Larisa_Oil_Dec_6.jpg

[Lauren F-M]

Len -- this portrait has such a happy feel to it, and you've handled a difficult angle to her face very well! :thumbsup:
Also, with the palette and way you've handled it, I get a feel of the wind and the atmosphere; that she is on a rockface. :clap: Lovely!

[qeenbee]

oops posted twice:o

[qeenbee]

Everyones work is beautiful. I work on my canvas and think wow, looking good, then I look at the gorgeous work here and Mine looks a little lifeless. :o Anyway I would like some C&C on this portrait. It's 11x14 oil on canvas. The photo did not have very good lighting so I sorta had to ad lib. I have been working on this for a good while, i posted it in another forum a few months back. I just could not get it to look right. I think I've got it now. I used Ivory Black, Cad. Yellow med, Vermilion, and Flake white. This seems to work for me, and I've tried a little of everything.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Dec-2009/120613-100_4069.JPG

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Dec-2009/120613-sheila.jpg

[TruEnuff]

I can't keep up in this thread! Wow, so many really nice portraits slipping by faster than I can comment on, much less study.

Len, the unusual angle, the blowing hair, the charming dimpled smile all captured so well.

Lauren, a lovely delicate sketch of Caroline. I would be tempted to leave it in grasaille format too! Very warm. I am looking forward to the finished work!

Patrick, exquiste work. Wow.

Queebee, I'm curious about the suggestions you get. I find it very difficult to spot, much less describe, what might be the missing piece in a painting....whether my own or someone else's. If this were my painting, however, the first thing I'd probably try is some stronger color in the face, particularly in the cheek and nose area. I'd also get both a very intense dark and a very white reflection in the eyes. I'd go for some lighter tones (almost highlights, but not quite) in a few areas on the face near the chin, cheek, nose and above the left eye to add structure and 3-D. These highlights and reflections, along with some stronger reds in the cheek and nose structure might add some zip (life). Finally, look at the mouth and teeth carefully. You've made the teeth appear much smaller than in real life. The last thing I'd try is to 'rough up' that background. I'd load up a brush with a lot of paint and put it in boldly in order to create a bit of texture to set off her smooth skin. I'd paint right over the hair in some places (particularly the back of the head) and lose the edge completely. Also, the heavier paint will create reflections and interest. Right now the backgound is dull, and while it doesn't compete with her complection, it doesn't set it off either. Good luck!


Keep Painting :wave:

[qeenbee]

:lol: TruNuff, Would you like to come over and ride along in my pocket? I followed your suggestions and man what a difference. Now if I could just do that without someone telling me:lol: :lol: http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Dec-2009/120613-100_4071.JPG

What do you think? For some reason I am very timid with color. I think I' gonna mess it up, or something. I guess my brain is saying, HAY SHE DON'T LOOK LIKE THAT. I am better at it tho. Thanks for looking.
Bobbie:heart: :heart:

[CPP]

Thanks for all the nice comments! :wave:

[RWSewell]

I've been away from portraiture for a long while but a small rush of commissions has brought me back. This wip is currently on my table:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Dec-2009/81425-100_3245.jpg

Roseann
13.5" x 6.75", Prismacolor pencils on coffee Mi-Teintes paper.

:cool: Rob

[TruEnuff]

:What do you think? For some reason I am very timid with color. I think I' gonna mess it up, or something. I guess my brain is saying, HAY SHE DON'T LOOK LIKE THAT. I am better at it tho. Thanks for looking.
Bobbie:heart: :heart:

Wow, Bobbie...I can't tell you how happy I am that some of my suggestions helped! I think that's wonderful. And I agree, your portrait is really coming along. Nice work!

Honestly you'd be amazed at how much color you can get away with in the human face. I'm not sure why that is, but it's true. And keep in mind too that photographs are not life! They can be very misleading. If we get tricked into following them slavishly, we end up with the same flat, two dimensional representation that the photo captured. You can push lights, darks and colors more than you would think, and the result is often a much more lifelike representation - at least to the human eye.

And speaking of eyes, I see that you not only worked on the pupils, but you made some adjustments to the 'white' of the eyes as well. It's especially noticeable on the right eye (viewer's right), where by adding more 'white' surface on the inner part of the eyeball, you actually removed a slightly cross-eyed look.

Well done! I'm tickled pink with the outcome and it ain't even mine!

Keep Painting! :wave:

[LGHumphrey]

CPP, the more I look at your portrait of your wife the more I think that you simply MUST enter it into a competition.

[TruEnuff]

Hi All,

I finally got some time to work on this one another hour or so. I'm getting close to calling it done, but will probably pull a few things together in one more short session after it sets up for awhile. It's oil on acrylic gessoed canvas panel. About 3-4 hours, I guess.

Keep Painting! :wave:

[LGHumphrey]

Wonderful work Bruce, really striking.

[Dana Design]

Bruce, just a bit more lip color on the lower right lip and a bit more brightness on the hair curving around her eye will do it.

Well done!

[TruEnuff]

Hi Dana!
I'll tackle both your suggestions during the next session. I always struggle with lip color. I've never found a 'formula' that I can remember or recreate! Do you have a favorite mix to deviate from??

Hi Lawrence!
Thank you for the kind words. The photo was striking...all I had to do was keep from messing it up! Which reminds me...I should give credit to Hugh Hill, who took the photo of his lady friend "Bella" on which this painting was based and then was generous enough to share it with the WC community in the reference library. I couldn't resist her. I hope Mr. Hill will understand!

Keep Painting! :wave:

[Dana Design]

YOu might try using a lighter shade of what you have on the upper lip. Just brushing it down toward the bottom of the bottom lip but not making it solid looking would do the trick. And I wouldn't cover the entire bottom lip. Just a hint of color there.

[CPP]

CPP, the more I look at your portrait of your wife the more I think that you simply MUST enter it into a competition.

Thanks so much!

I actually dared to do so - in The Artist's Magazine All-Media Online Competition. :o

Would be my first competition.

[LGHumphrey]

Wonderful, CPP, you ought to win that.

[CPP]

Thanks so much Lawrence!

I really appreciate your kind wishes!

:wave:

[raeburn10025]

Lots of amazing work on this thread!

Here's a recent 40 minute sketch from life class. Graphite on paper.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/15-Dec-2009/37710-brian.jpg

[patrikbkarl]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/17-Dec-2009/126363-December_2009_2.jpg
46X55cm
in oil
Another sad girl
I do prefer happy people though, :lol:

[LGHumphrey]

Patrik, nice job. She does indeed look a bit perplexed.

This is the 19 year old granddaughter of my oldest bestest friend from Canada. She was our houseguest for 3 days and of course I took some photos of her.

40 X 30 cm., oils on unstretched linen.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/19-Dec-2009/60616-DSC_000214.JPG

[Alaya]

Lots of beautiful portraits this month. This painting is a depiction of my new niece. :)

8 X 10 inches
Oil on Panel

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb64/Anubis14_photo/Paintings/l-001.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb64/Anubis14_photo/Paintings/l-004.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb64/Anubis14_photo/Paintings/l-003.jpg

[LGHumphrey]

She's a sweetie. And that quilt gives it a Gustav Klimt effect.

[qeenbee]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/28-Dec-2009/120613-100_4177.JPG

This is momma. I finished today and would like more C&C please. I posted in portrait forum and then did a little more on it. It's a little dark, I have been experimenting, :lol: I painted in black and white and then started adding color using a heavy mix of Liquid and adding a little color. I think I got the original B & W a little too dark though. I learned a bit.:lol: I think its ok tho, It isn't exactly like the photo I have of her but it is exactly like she was a little younger perhaps. She was very frail at the end and I like this better.:) Thanks for looking.

[NancyMP]

Ah, another portrait of an old lady!Thanks for giving me an excuse to post my self-portrait from last month (which is actually on my tinyhead name plate, but looks even older at that size:D ) and a couple more I've got permission from the owners to show!

Here's me:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/28-Dec-2009/203830-Self_portrait_finished.jpg

Here's my husband, the Suburban Cowboy:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/28-Dec-2009/203830-Suburban_Cowboy.jpg

And my latest, "The Old Master" (a workshop painting):
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/28-Dec-2009/203830-The_Master_Touch.jpg

I'm currently looking desperately everywhere for the photo of an old friend and his granddaughter, whom I had intended to paint as a gift for his widow, but I can't find it. I think my last computer crash may have wiped it:( ! That would have been my WIP. We're going to her house for New Year's Eve, so I'll ask her for the photo again, and hope she doesn't guess what it's for:D .

I hope I didn't use up a whole page of this thread for my stuff. I will be doing a portrait -- I just hope it's in time for this gallery?

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/28-Dec-2009/203830-Signature_Banner.jpg

[Roxie Real]

I started this before Christmas in the oil painting forum...Masters in Oil, the artist is John William Godward. I have just now had a chance to work on it again. c and c welcome please. oil on canvas 16x20. Roxiehttp://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/31-Dec-2009/129150-000_0002.jpg

[Roxie Real]

Here is the ref photo. As you can see it is not just like the ref but was fun to do. Roxiehttp://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/31-Dec-2009/129150-107353-Godward_Classical_Beauty_cropped1.jpg