Second Connor

Last edit unless I look at it too much. On the photo references he had a smile that doesn't show in my first painting below. Sometimes it is just a subtle change. Finding that is like looking through those pictures where you have to find the changes. I imagine that artists who work on portraits constantly could figure it out the first time.

This is a rough in for another portrait of Connor painted from my photo references. I started with a ground of burnt sienna after which I painted alla prima into that. 

Gregg no 2

This is the second version of a portrait that I am working on.

10 x 14 oil on Ampersand panel.

Mari and the Dove

Shortly after first posting this painting I wiped off the background. After thinking about it I decided to make up this background. I may do some minor editing on parts of it, but for the most part this is it. Also I needed to retake the photo under better lighting.

6x6 Oil on Raymar panel.

Mari and the Dove

Mari was really holding a ceramic horse but this appealed to me.

6x6 Oil on Raymar panel

Greg

This is a portrait I am currently working on. Putting it on the easel where it can be viewed helps give me perspective on what it needs.

16 x 20 oil on Ampersand panel

Greg

When I take a portrait commission I usually make practice pieces like this one.

Mattie no 4

I am still working from photos I took over Thanksgiving weekend since they didn't come back for Christmas. I think my visitors will make it back for Easter. By then I will have run out of reference material.

6x8 Oil on Raymar panel.

Mattie in the Mountains

I edited the background on this one, she was sitting on a rock in our front yard. The background was the siding on the house, so boring.

Oil on Ampersand Panel. 5-1/4 x 11-1/2

Young Girl

The model for this painting reminded me of the models in a lot of John Singer Sargent paintings. There is the great bones and deep set eyes. Another reason to paint this was the profile view which I struggle with and that is probably why I did not get this to look enough like the young lady for her to recognize it as herself.

6x6 Oil on Raymar Panel

Hannah

Mattie Again

This is again from a photo of Mattie but I don't think I got the features correct. This was just a practice for anatomy of the face. I am just glad I didn't give her a crooked face.

6x8 Oil on Raymar panel.

Mattie

This little girl posed holding her hair out and I loved the look, also it gave me an opportunity to paint a hand. That was the hardest part of the painting forcing me to wipe it out and try again. This was still painted alla prima but it took a little longer to do it. If you looked at my post of this painting earlier you may have thought the girl's hair was a lot more disheavaled, I went back in and messed with the hair a bit more. This is no longer alla prima painting.

10x8 Oil on Raymar Panel.

Mari

I take my photos of these paintings outside and it is an overcast day. I am posting this now but will update the image when the lighting is right.

This little girl was my Thanksgiving visitor and she was a great subject.

6x6 Oil on Raymar Panel.

Building the Sand Castle

Sold

Today was the second day of the studio tour. I was a little braver and painted this scene on site and it went smoothly. I will need to fix the details when the paint dries.

6x8 Oil on Raymar panel. 

Smile

I once read a column in which the writer talked about his wife turning 50; he therorized that she could easily be a spy because no one noticed her nor would remember what she looked like. I normally share this gift of ananomity, and use it to get candid  pictures of people. The Tri-State Rodeo is in town this week; it draws large crowds and big time entertainment; there's also a great parade. I went to the parade by myself ( I was tired and grumpy.) I sat down with my camera, blended into the crowd,  and waited.  A red pickup came by with this famous rodeo clown; he looked right at me and said, "Smile it doesn't cost a thing". My first thought was "Is he talking to me?' Indeed he was; as he gave me a big thumbs up, I laughed, picked up my camera and shot this picture, The result is this painting of Leon Coffee doing what he does best, making you smile.

6x6 oil on Raymar panel. NFS

Balancing on the Fencerail

This was a challenging angle. I am not sure that I have the face right, I will probably work on it again and repost.

6x6 Oil on Raymar panel

A Sparkler for Mary

This painting was from another reference photo taken at the same time as the other one. My camera does not take very good night photos or I just don't know how to work it.

6x6 Oil on Raymar panel.

Maddie no.2

Maddie was playing frisbee when I took this picture. Profiles are hard for me this one actually took longer than the front view shots.

Sparkler

This is a work in progress. The girl is holding a sparkler. Usually I like to paint everything in one session but this girl is holding a sparkler and I need to add white sparks over the dark background.

Mary

SOLD

I have been painting portraits lately. I started out on this one with Liquin, that made it hard to create the smooth transitions on the young face. I feel that this one is still a work in progress.