I'm finished with this. I was afraid to lose what I had in terms of
likeness, so I kept everything else light and
simple. I didn't go as dark with her hair and eyes as I normally would,
and, as a result, I
think this has a more typical watercolor feel.
From
there, I sketched and began work on this painting. I'm trying to get
beyond "a pretty picture" and go for an expression or a vibe or an
action. Here, she's ready to spring into action; I let her fill the
frame so it feels like she's going to burst out. We'll see how that
works.
And here are a couple more sketches in the Sargent project. I can see what he's doing far better than I can replicate it. Still, I'm hoping that way of seeing filters into my own paintings. What I like is that he seems to look carefully and then paint only the minimum necessary, laying down the fewest number of strokes and letting them be.
The portrait is so lovely! The colors are so soft, but I love that quizzical expression and the hair is great. The attitude is a nice contrast to the soft colors — dynamic tension! Good start on the next one. I know what you mean about trying to get past the pretty picture phase...and the Sargent sketches I think are helping you define (Or figure out) what you’re trying to express.
ReplyDeleteThe architecture of the face is so clean in your first portrait. It looks stunning. Already the second painting is beckoning. Keep those sketches coming.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw this one last week I was thinking oh stop now. I'm looking at it again, and I do think it could have stood alone.
ReplyDeleteI like Gramma. She has that very annoyed look on her face and everything around her is in a dither.
The delicacy of the finished portrait really suits the subject. All those studies are paying off--your working is looking so spontaneous.
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