Morgan and Johnny

Morgan and Johnny

18" x 24"

Oil on hardwood Panel

I have enjoyed working with hair in the more recent portraits. 

The reference photos were borrowed from Morgan's blog postings. Plus I have enjoyed the advantage of having the model visiting with us for  a short time.

I tried to do a more classic portrait without distraction. So the clothing is suggested rather than defined and the background is muted and distant.

I was pleased with the result. Morgan's hair in the portrait has a step more saturated auburn shade than I was able to bring to the photograph - while the dress is a full value less saturated than the photo would imply

I am able to paint it however I cannot photograph it very accurately.

My thanks to the models

Angel's Landing in Winter

Angel's Landing

Winter

18" x 24"

Oil on hardwood Panel

Snow adds such a wonderful dimension to many landscapes.

This contrast between the generally warm, desert canyon country and the winter snow is beautiful. So it was an enjoyable effort to try to bring some of that fascination into paint.

The cool water, sky, snow  and shadows contrast to the warm stone hues. It invites us to explore further

A touch more impressionistic than some of my landscape paintings.

Katie 2014

Katie 

2014

20" x 16"

Oil on hardwood Panel

Having a cute model is a good first step for a successful or at least pleasant portrait. So if the model is cute and the portrait is drawn half-way accurately then the job is assured of some level of success.

So I was happy to work on this portrait of our youngest daughter.

And this was another opportunity to work with flowing, beautiful hair.

The background is viridian over a yellow ochre base and which was then glazed thinly with ultramarine blue. It has a somewhat jewel-like quality. There is also some quinacridone glazed over the dress for contrast. It [the background] is slightly 'richer' or more saturated than the monitor indicates.

Katie likes it so I didn't alter the background very much after she gave approval.

Below slightly different camera settings.