Week 28 - Remembering the "Vision"

While working on this portrait, I realized it just wasn't where I'd wanted it to go. I kept trying different things, but I wasn't happy with the results. My mentor had once told me to keep the initial vision I'd had for the piece in my mind. Well, I didn't think I'd had a "vision" for the work. But then I remembered the poster study I'd done at the beginning. And I realized that IT was a thumbnail of my "vision"!. So I pulled it back out (don't know why I'd put it aside in the first place) and went back into the painting with a renewed enthusiasm. I am much happier with the results. I still need to work on the leather and spurs area...but I'm more optimistic.

Week 27 - Pushing back the background

Latest work includes 1) cooling, lighting and blurring the background 2) adding sparkle to the spurs 3) adding glasses 4) refining some of the face. Getting closer, but sometimes it seems like every time I work on it, I find more to change. I do love working on this piece, tho. I will be working on putting together a more professional portfolio with information from Jennifer-mentor. This will include photos with larger margins, nicely printed labels for the photos, having sections such as "drawings", "paintings" instead of just all together.

Week 26 (2) - In the meantime

I've been working very methodically and carefully on the portrait of the rancher. But another bit of wisdom from Jennifer (mentor) that she heard from her mentor is to keep two easels up at a time. When you get stuck on one piece you can turn to the other and work there. I've got my easels set up and altogether too many projects. This one is another commissioned portrait. The client has asked for a softened more atmospheric look, giving the subject a more ethereal/romantic look. This is not easy for me! And I needed some gentle guidance/critiquing from Jennifer to achieve this look. The client is thrilled! The subject, however, doesn't know anything about it (and it is very unlikely that she will read this blog).

Week 26 - Catching up some

Still working on my rancher portrait. Added a lot more foliage and trees in the distant background, painted then repainted the jacket to hang more like it was buttoned in the front. Moving the bolo tie around a bit and reshaped the hat some.

Jennifer's voice is reminding me that "you need paint to paint". This advice sounds a bit obvious, but isn't a lot of advice? The point is; I need to remember to mix larger amounts of colors and actually get some paint on the brush. More paint, bigger brushes, soften edges, punch the darks and lights. A painter's job is never done and I need to fight the urge to be wishy-washy.