Here is the portrait that I worked on in my class with Suzanna Winton. I took a worshop with her at the Art of the Carolinas a couple weeks ago. She is a wonderful artist and a great teacher.
Yesterday I posted a photo of the painting that was way too pink. I took it again today and I think the colors are a little better. I'm certainly not 100% satisfied with the results but it was so much fun to paint and I did learn so much along the way.
I found myself seeing values on a new level. I took my glasses off and I could really see the shapes and darkness of the skin tones. I wonder if that is like squinting? I saw the larger shapes of dark values as well as the smaller differentiations in value changes within the larger shapes.
I also worked on softening edges and blending the colors from darker to lighter. And I had so much fun doing the background with little circular and squiggly shapes.
I'm going to keep working on painting portraits. I really enjoy capturing the looks as well as the spirit of the person I am painting. I feel that I have a sensitivity to people that I can use to express their personalities and try and capture their essence.
Also a while ago I heard or read that painting portraits is similar to painting flowers by capturing the curves and value changes that represent the soft changes that they both have. I think it is true. I am certainly more comfortable with painting flowers than portraits but am ready to step outside of my comfort zone and work on something more challenging. Maybe that is why I feel I am ready to start working on my portraits again!
The next portrait that I work on I will post it in stages so that you can see the process.
6 comments:
beautiful job Kathy, you did an amazing painting. I didn't know you did portraits. you are right to do more! just do some of your lovely flowers too!! take care,Diana
Thanks so much Diana. I don't know how amazing it is but I sure am working on them. You are very kind!
Great painting ! you picked a wonderful subject and have captured her personality! I remember reading somewhere too that to paint portraits not to think eyes/nose/mouth but shapes shapes and value :) - good advice I am sure, but may be easier said than done!! You are more than ready to go back and paint portraits!
Thank you so much Meera for your encouragement!!!
beautiful painting...
so lively and lovely...
you have captured the expression and skin tones in a wonderful manner...
congratulations...
Thank you so much. I appreciate your complimentary feedback.
Post a Comment