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.

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

Griffin and the Baby Chick

Griffin and the Baby Chick

20" x 16"

Oil on hardwood Panel

This does not need very much explanation.

Griffin is sensitive little guy. 

He was carefully holding a baby chicken.

His innocence and special nature are reflected in the innocence of the tiny yellow hatchling.

Alternate photographic effects below. Some Graham Indian Yellow paint was used although it is not especially visible. It is a wonderful transparent pure hue. As opposed to the cadmium's which are quite opaque.