*sigh*Well, do you want to hear how it went? It went badly. I tried. I did. I tried a few different things. But, the damage was done. The paint just wouldn’t stick. I got so frustrated, I actually took the canvas to the sink and scrubbed it off with a scrubby sponge under warm water! … Read More “Portrait Marathon: Nikki, starting over!”
Ah, poor Licky Nikki! She doesn’t deserve to be handled like this! It’s been a frustrating start to what should be a really fun painting of an adorable gal, but I’ve made a series of rookie technical errors that have set me back repeatedly. Sheesh! Let’s start from the beginning. Here’s the reference photo. Sweet … Read More “Portrait Marathon: Nikki off to a rocky start!”
Dorie’s portrait is finished! I like her Mona Lisa smile, combining with the pirate get-up for an interesting mood. Since my last post, you can see that I layered in lots of blues, not just in the bonnet, but in her face and body as well. I reclaimed the little fuzzy bit of her ear … Read More “Portrait Marathon: Dorie DONE”
Here’s where we are now. As you can see, things have been heating up! Her brindle patch is in, the cool blues are layering up nicely. Touches of pink are showing in the nose and eye, and the irises of her eyes are gaining depth. Oh, and the pirate skull has a red bandana, now. … Read More “Portrait Marathon: Dorie in color!”
Sorry about the slow progress in this marathon! Other work keeps getting in there, needing to be done. But, the marathon goes on! For those of you keeping track, we are on Number 7, of a proposed 10 painting series, to benefit The Grey Muzzle Organization, in honor of my dear departed greyhound, Happy. … Read More “portrait Marathon: Dorie develops”
What a cute lady she is! Lookit her, in her little pirate bonnet! Too funny! This is the photo as I received it. As you can see, it’s posed well, but it’s very dark. You can’t see her eye color, and her nose is indistinctly lost in general darkitude. So, enter Photoshop! This is my … Read More “Portrait Marathon: Dorie begins”
I spoke too soon, again! Grover’s blue universe was bugging me. It was a little too monochromatic. Also, the shadows on his shoulder looked like a net or weird markings, though they were fairly faithful to the photo. So, I worked over the stuffie to help Grover’s handsome face stand out better, and toned down … Read More “Portrait Marathon: Grover, DONE some MORE!”
Grover’s portrait is finished! At least, so I say this afternoon. I sometimes (okay, usually) tweak just a bit here, or an area there the next morning, but it’s basically done. I’m calling it. Since we were here last, I broke out the afore-mentioned leeeetle brushes to do some detail work, laying in the shadows … Read More “Portrait Marathon: Grover, DONE”
I’ve built up more color, and am starting to get some complexity in the shadows, but it is still a very loose painting at this point. In the next phases, I’ll start using my leeeeetle brushes, and get the details tightened up. Still a ways to go!
Grover is looking very brooding, yet colorful, in his bright blue universe! The fluffy texture of the stuffy is developing nicely (whew!), and Grover’s color areas are now laid in. There are washes of warm pink in his face and body where his warm skin tones just show through his pale, fine greyhound fur. His … Read More “Portrait Marathon: Grover, stage 3”
