I’ve been pushing myself to try to paint figures and faces lately. When that record starts playing in my head, I tell myself to just keep at it. No one learns in a day.
It’s fun to use magazines and artsy photos that have great shadows for practicing purposes. The art books I read say to lose the edges to background shapes. Easier said than done. (This image was from an ad for a handbag that I saw.)
A friend of mine asked me to paint a sketch of her husband for her a few years ago. I had fun with it, but I’m still intimidated to practice on real people. I’ll have to start on myself. Who cares how that turns out!
“The world today doesn’t make sense, so why should I make pictures that do?” (-Pablo Picasso)
20 comments:
Gosh, you've been busy! I hate when I miss some of you last posts-- I love the seashells---so delicate! Your figures are quite captivating too and I must remember that Van Gogh quote --think I'll post that one over my desk --It'll keep me painting.
Love the quote too. A good one to remember. I think your people are looking good. They arent easy at all. Thats how you get to Carnegie hall. Practice Practice Practice. :))) I think we practice our whole lives and are never totally satisfied with what we do. Thats what keeps us going and doing. Other wise I think we would become stale.
Another great post. Have a great weekend practicing. :)
My favorite Sargent quote is "Every time I paint a portrait, I loose a friend"...
My wife always asks why I never draw her...I say the risk to reward ratio is too great.
Nice to see you challenging yourself here.
Wonderful water colors - they can be horribly difficult.
Well done and happy weekend ahead.
Thanks, everyone!
Isn't that a good quotation? I like it, too.
Larry, I've heard that Sargent quotation before, too--love it. Good to hear even people who are fabulous have trouble...
Elizabeth they are hard...for me, anyway! ;) But I'll keep at it.
I suspect everyone adored this sketch, Beautiful work!!!
You brave soul. I really, really do not like doing portraits, but I do like doing figures.
Good luck. And bravo on these. :)
I'm impressed. Favorably so. Keep up the good work.
Wow! This first one is especially nice! Wonderful face...love the gold tones in her skin. Reminds me of my daughter's coloring. Love your opening van Gogh quote!
Thanks, all! Have a great weekend.
Great challenge, and great result.
I like both of these portraits for different reasons...the woman is soft an sensual and studied...the man is crisp, of the moment and all business.
Wonderful efforts...love your variety lately and love this post.
Bon week end, mon amie...
If these are your practise results, you are a quick learner, they look wonderful to me, especially your friend's husband! Were they happy with your work?
Had a chuckle when I read the Sargent quote, thanks Larry! :-)
Thanks, Terrie and Merisi!
Merisi, my friend was happy with the sketch I did, thankfully.
I love your new venture with faces. And a coincidence is that on thursday evening at our Bible Study I actually opened up your blog just to show my friend, Willie, a portrait painter, your amazing watercolours. His comment was, "They are so delicate. I think I am going to try watercolours!" Enjoy!
Warm African wishes Eleanor
No matter what YOU think, I think you make it look easy!
Eleanor, how nice of you to say such a thing to me! Wow! I'm flattered. Tell your friend to definitely give watercolors a shot--they're great fun. Challenging, but fun!
Jeanette, you're extremely generous.
Oh I think your portraits of the two people you painted are wonderful! I think they look great. Keep up the awsome work because you are doing a really good job. I love the quotes you post too.
Aaaah, Cassie, you're very kind to say so! thanks for the encouragement. I'll keep at it. I enjoy good quotations, too.
Wow oh wow! These are fantastic!!! I absolutely love how you've captured personality in these faces. More, more, more!!!
Thanks, Brenda, you're so kind, as always!
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