Portrait of 'Giles' stage 1

10' x 12'

oil on board

Can't seem to stop painting portraits at the moment! This is Giles, my next victim! Stage 1 completed this afternoon. I'm happy with it thus far and will carry on tomorrow. I came across an interesting video today that I thought you might like to watch. It discusses the masterful brushwork of John Singer Sargent. The video is a must for anyone interested in alla prima painting. 

The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit by John Singer Sargent

'Dan' finished!

'Dan'

10" x 12"

oil on board

This is Dan's portrait finished, or at least I think it's finished. I'll check it out again tomorrow and see if anything jumps out at me...sometimes you can look so hard and for so long that you cease to 'see'. The ear that I was so pleased with in stage 2...I had to paint over!!! I discovered the face was too narrow...why do these things take so long to register sometimes! But...as I often say to members of my class, 'You've done it once, you can do it again!' So I had to put into practice what I preach and moved it over to the left a bit! 

'Dan' Stage 2

10" x 12"

oil on board

Back from Cumbria and began working on stage 2 this afternoon. I'm liking the way it's going...I'm particularly happy with the ear!!  I'm not going to do alot more to the painting, just add a little more definition here and there. I don't want to risk over-statement and lose the liveliness of the marks or the way the head seems to be emerging from the surface. One of the difficulties of making a painting is knowing when the piece is finished and not to go past that point when it becomes 'too' resolved and begins to die. Hopefully, this one will survive!!

Next portrait

10" x 12"

oil on board

I started another portrait on Thursday but I'm not happy with this stage yet. I haven't quite captured enough of the likeness so will continue to work on it. At the moment though I'm literally on the point of departing to Cumbria for the weekend. Be back on Tuesday. Have a good weekend!

'Dawn' finished

SOLD

This is 'Dawn' finished. I hope you like it Dawn! No painting now until Thursday :-(  I have a teaching day tomorrow...a painting class in the morning with my brilliant Wednesday group who rise to any challenge I throw at them and my regular monthly life drawing session in the afternoon. :) Thursday I will be back in the studio ready to start the next portrait!  

'Dawn' Stage 2

'Dawn'

8" x 8"

oil on board

My portraits seem to be following a pattern, preliminary stage - mapping in the values, main stage - colour, last stage - adjusting. I've decided I prefer yellow ochre to raw sienna for flesh tones it gives a brighter mix. I have more friends to paint when 'Dawn' is finished. Oh my!...I believe this might be evolving into yet another series! 

First stage of my next portrait

'Dawn'

8" x 8"

oil on board

This is a 'short and sweet' post as it's already 7.45pm and I really really need to go cook dinner! But before I do I just wanted to show you the piece I started today. It's a portrait of Dawn who is another of my lovely kind friends who is allowing me to paint her. This stage took around two hours.

And now........better get into the kitchen and get some food on the go!