A Close Study of Helen

Helen

8 x 10

My portrait group uses friends as models. This is the 3rd time we have had Helen. I have learned something each time. I wanted to do something different with this one - concentrate my short amount of time with a close in crop and a little more in-depth study. I am learning to simplify and emphasise colour. I am mostly pleased with this effort.

From the last 24 hours

Heavy Snow

9 x 12, oil on panel

This one was actually done with a photo reference that I took nearby. It is actually a rickety old fence that is quite grown over and the snow made it quite heavy. I loved the shapes that were created with the lighting. I also love the challenge of finding and depicting the many colors in the white shadowed areas. Once again, the photo does not quite show all of the color I put in.

Two Chinese Teenagers

9 x 12, oil on panel

This painting was an hour's worth of work. The girls had never modelled before and had slept in so they were late and had to leave early. They chatted in Chinese the entire time but kept their pose throughout.  I really found it interesting to see the difference in their skin tones and head shapes.  There are drawing flaws for sure but I am mostly happy with this one. There was no time to noodle it - and that is good, but I could have used another hour with them. I also do enjoy keeping it a bit sketchy in a portrait.

Portrait Practice

9 x 12, oil on panel

"Jane's Sister"

I am in a weekly portrait study group now. I have sat for two sessions and been able to paint for two. This is my second painting since I have been with them. This elderly woman is the sister of one of the other artists. She kept on falling asleep and changing positions (all of our models are voluntary and not paid) but I managed to get a likeness and somewhat of an interesting composition out it.

Just as with my en pleine air practices lately, I am finding working from life much more rewarding and I know that it will educate me whenever I do need to work from references rather than life. One of the biggest lessons is to get the main shapes and placements down fast and solidly as the model (or nature if outside) will tend to change as you go along.

Bea and Shana

"Bea", 8 x 10, oil on panel

SOLD

"Shana", 8 x 10, oil on panel
SOLD