Quinn

Quinn

20" x 16"

Oil on hardwood Panel

When I started painting Gwen and laying in her hair, it was enjoyable and I looked for another chance to work more with hair in an interesting way. 

I quickly realized that there were many options because all our daughters also have beautiful hair. However Gwen and Quinn were on the scooters together and working on Gwen I also had many photos of Quinn.

So I sketched in this profile pose of Quinn and started working on her hair.

For a little peanut she has a lot of hair with drama.

The background here just evolved, I laid down an under-painting and kept working in layers until I liked the effect. Perhaps I wouldn't have chosen it if I had just laid out the colors on the palette at the beginning.

Gwennie and the Scooter

Gwennie and the Scooter

24" x 18"
Oil on hardwood Panel

Gwenneth just makes me happy. When I see her I smile.

She is very exuberant and enthusiastic about life. She can ride a regular bicycle very well and very aggressively too I might add, however one day she was riding a small scooter and I wanted to capture that moment.

I'm pleased with the sweeping action pose, almost a cartoon figure with the long line from her left shoe to her forehead.

And I thought that her jeans worked well, although the shadows have a lower value in the actual painting.

Gwen's hair is more light brown than the photograph indicates, I think that the camera is picking up yellow from the sweatshirt.

The background was the lasting problem with this design. Above is the current painting and below shows the painting in an earlier version.

Again, the hair is not this bright yellow in the painting -even this earlier version.

Alice

Alice

16" x 12"

Oil on hardwood Panel

[click in the image to enlarge]

Alice is a perpetually happy and cheerful toddler. She was just on the beginning edge of walking when we saw her last.

She finds some delight in whatever is happening around her.

One might say that this is an attitude of gratitude. A wonderful quality to emulate

I tried to bring some of her cheerful energy to this painting.

The viewer's perspective is a bit unusual for a child portrait in that the viewer is at the same level or a bit below Alice