The Story of Chef Anna

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Profile Painting Step by Step

I've developed a really annoying habit.  I go up to complete strangers and say "Can I paint you?"  I could be at the grocery store, Walmart, the gym (on the gym floor - not in the steam room!).  I try to explain that I am a portrait artist and I think they have a great face.  Most people nod politely and then wait for the crazy lady to move along.  But luckily, sometimes they give me a call!

So I met Larry, a very cool guy - and a boxer (although that is only a small part of what he does - he actually does mixed martial arts).  I gave him my card and hoped he would give me a chance to paint him.  And...he did!  My fellow artist, a sculptor, also wanted some portrait practice so we set up a time and met at my studio.

I was working on an oil primed linen, 11" x 14".  I started with a light wash of transparent red oxide, then blocked it in.  I started adding some burnt umber to define some shapes.

This is where we both were at this point - the major size and shape blocked in, continuous minor adjustments on the placement and angles of the jawline and neck.

This is not a great photo, but these darker areas are actually shades of blue and purple.

I used cooler purples and browns on the face that was towards an open window with natural light, the warmer browns and reds were on the side, closer to an artificial yellow light source.

I continued to search for planar changes on his cheekbones, and adjusted the size of his ear.

In the final moments I added some definition to the background, adding some color, and just a small amount of highlight to his eye.

So...until I grab the next un-suspecting model...happy painting!

Painting Grandma for her 95th Birthday

I've been doing SO much painting lately that I almost don't know where to begin with updating my blog!  Portraits, figure paintings, still lifes, my Woodstock series...I'm exhausted just thinking about it!  Even if I don't post everything here, I do manage to share an update now and then on my Facebook Art page, so I hope you check that out from time to time!

So going back to July, when I was visiting family in New York, there happened to be one morning that my kids were off with their cousins, and my mom looked at me and said "There are no kids! We should PAINT."  And I said "Ok - what do you want to pain?" And we chatted a few minutes before deciding that my Grandma Nani would be the perfect subject.  She had just turned 95 the day before!  And my mother assured me that if we gave her a big breakfast she would take a nice nap while we painted her :)

So we set up outside on the deck - mid morning, great light, cool breeze from the water.

Just like the Alla Prima class, I started by looking for the large shapes, then darkest darks.  Notice Grandma is still awake.  And an excellent model!

As predicted, our model dozed off...and I started by blocking in her arm in the sunlight and some of the greenery.

It was clear that Nani was full, comfy, and sleepy, so I adjusted my painting of her head and started dabbing on the colors in her shirt and neck.  I wanted the gaunt quality of her cheeks, but still maintain the warmth of her skin.  The direction of the folds in her neck, and the hollow at the base of her neck were crucial in establishing the quality of the skin, and the feel of the pull of her head back onto the pillow.

I think we ended up painting for about three hours!  Nani was an excellent model.  And you really can't blame a woman with two children, ten grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren for needing a nap :)

Alla Prima Portrait Practice

Oh my poor neglected blog!  It's not that there is nothing to report...it's that too much is going on!  Lots of new paintings to show you.  I'm going to start with a portrait I painted of my sister at my studio a couple weeks ago.

I used an 18" x 24" gallery wrapped canvas.  I started by setting my sister up against a purple backdrop, cool outdoor light on her right and a warm spotlight on her left. (I like contrasting light sources on my portraits!)  I also made her change her shirt, which she was not too thrilled about.  But she's my little sister and used to me bossing her around!

I look at the largest shapes first, blocking it in a little bit on the angular side.  I avoid the features in the beginning, and focus on the shape of the face.  

I continued by looking at the shadows created around her features, not the features themselves.

I slowly locked in the features, adding a bit of burnt umber to the raw sienna I started with.  The paint is still very thin.

As I mentioned - there was a cool window light on the right and a warm spotlight on the left, so I started blocking in colors to match the light source and value on the face.

I continued blocking in color.  As I worked, I adjusted her hairline and jaw shape.  I made sure to extend the color into her neck.

This is as far as I got in our session.  In many ways it looks just like her, but there are a few shapes that need to be refined, especially her jawline and the shape of her eyebrows.  I really appreciate her patience!  I needed the practice :)

Slightly askew detail shot of her eyes...

Finished Portrait of African American Woman

I wanted to quickly share the finished product...you can see the earlier stages of this portrait painting here...

Kristopher Meadows Portrait Painting Demo

Last Friday evening I was lucky enough to host a very talented local artist, Kristopher Meadows, at my studio for a portrait painting demonstration.  Kristopher has just published his first instructional DVD - The SVEC Method - Painting the Female Portrait in Oil.    We had a great crowd, lots of food, and learned a lot about Kristopher's approach to painting.

I highly recommend attending as many live painting demos as you can - even if you don't particularly connect with the artist's style or technique.  Everyone walked away from the demo with some new information, and a desire to go and PAINT - which is a high compliment to any teacher.

Portrait with Head Scarf

I can't believe it's been so long since I updated my blog! I have a million things to share with you, but I'll start with this oil portrait painted from the live model last week.

Our lovely African American model has beautiful features, and I wanted to try and paint a quick portrait.  I used a panel that was primed with pink-beige paint (used from this tree painting gone wrong!) Of course...that's WHY i never throw away a panel or any paint!

I started with a quick sketch using dark brown paint.  You can see her in the background...I added an extra blue light to her left side to add additional interesting color to her deep rich skin tone.

Once I got a good likeness and blocked in the strongest shadows, I added some more color and depth.

I added some deep purples into the reflected light under her chin and on her neck.

Blocking in the wrap to help define the shape of the head.

Right at the end of our session I added the light above her lip, but lost the shape and fullness of her mouth.  She was generous enough to allow a reference photo so hopefully I can adjust and finish this beautiful painting.

A Productive January in the Studio

2012 is off to a good start in my studio.  I have finished up a few paintings...

This is oil on 14" x 11" panel, started from the live model.  I love the classic chair and bright red robe.

I've also finished up this oil portrait of the ballerina.  

And the lady in the diner.  I did not snag any good detail shots, but I'll work on that!

I have a couple big commissions to work on AND I also discovered that Plum Amazins are really really yummy.  So...you know...a good week overall :)