Something in color...

[djstar]

I am trying to balance out a portfolio as a "cowboy artist" before I go up to visit my brother in Colorado for Mother's Day.
I want to submit to a couple of shows with deadlines before May and I want to put in at least one in color. I have some pastels of models but nothing of the subject matter and sort of "women in cowboy hats" theme I am developing...

So here I am. BIG canvas, and a bit to tight for my liking, but I figure if I DO it I can fix it. If I do NOTHING... I will fail!

I cropped all my photos taped around the edges... normal proportions.

So we are WIP.
dj*

[Donald_Smith]

It's coming along nicely. I can tell it will be an eye popper when you get finished.

Donald

[bigskysooner]

This is looking great Debra! I love the strong contrast and bright colors!

Larry aka bigskysooner

[jim56]

DJ,

I think this is coming along just fine.

Originally Posted by djstar

If I do NOTHING... I will fail!

I love your attitude. It is inspiring me.

And I figure if you are doing ANYTHING you are at least learning.

You have a good deal going for you just in the fact that you are moving forward. You don't sit around and whine—you act.

[djstar]

Some more...
As a pastellist (I say I watercolor paint like an oil painter and oil paint like a pastellist!) I am so lazy I like to pick up one stick at a time and work out relationships so I have been spotting colors and the kid colors and mostly done. Next to the horse colors.
First her face:

Close up:

When I get shadows spotted in, then I mix into the puddles, so the face was just itsy bitsy color spots warmER coolER lightER darkER... that is my technique.

Wiping off the brushes and going for a break.... eyeball fry!!!
dj*

[Cyntada]

You're amazing, Deb. The little girl's pink hat just sends me!

[jennaboo88]

This is looking great, Deb. Great work on the faces!

[djstar]

chaps and horse.... then I call it covered. That is where it sits and gets fiddled with for a LONG time.

Must pack up soon for a visit with friends.... drat.... more midnight painting to come.
dj*

[mollerman]

This is coming along nicely Deb! I have to ask... is this oil pastel or soft?

[djstar]

Sorry, that was confusing. It is oil.
When I paint I tend to take one color, like a pastel stick, and put it everywhere in the painting that I see it. I painted in all the orangy flesh tones when I started on the woman's face, and put in shadows, but no skin in the girl, pink in the had and of course a lot of dark brown, but not much detail, just bouncing around all over.
Then when I got to the faces or an area of a single sort of color, I mix a puddle and -ER it. Put the tones around the edge so I can darken lighten etc the one color.
It looks very "mosaic" for a while until I start putting pieces together.

Sorry. Yup. Confusing is pretty much my middle name!
dj*

[WFMartin]

Wow, Deb,.....'nother winner from YOU ! !

Nice to see you working in oils.

[cem]

I've said it before and will say it again....your work amazes me. Beautiful!

[Colorfur Critters]

This is fantastic, I can't wait to see the finish. And in whatever manner you apply the OPs it works out perfectly!

[djstar]

Just breaking because the colors are terrible at night....
Want to lay in all the values, but might have to stop.
Ugly fringe and details to come. I hate the small stuff. I wish I could be more loose from photos but I get real stuck in rendering.
dj*

[jennaboo88]

Looking great, Deb. Nice texture on those chaps!