After a short but happy fling with oils and landscapes, I'm back to colored pencil and a portrait. Truthfully, I'm still surprised that I like colored pencil as much as I do... but since I keep answering the siren call of those beguiling sticks of color I guess I'm officially hooked. 'Course, I really like the Artisan oils too so I plan to continue working with them as well. Nice to switch back and forth between two refreshingly different mediums.
I'm posting the reference for the latest portrait and a couple of WIPs. Since I love to experiment I approached this portrait a little differently... I did a detailed drawing first. I usually just start with basic outlines and "draw" as I paint. Only problem with that is with portraits there's little to no fudge room and if something has to be re-done (not that I would ever do a thing like that) it's a hassle getting several layers of color off... whereas if there's a problem with the initial pencil drawing... ha! my trusty eraser will make it vanish faster than you can say "Hey, Presto!".
I'm also trying a watercolor underpainting. I'm doing this primarily for speed (because it will put a fast layer of light color down where I don't want the white of the paper showing, thus saving me a layer or two of painstaking pencil "washes"). That's the general idea anyway... whether or not it works to my satisfaction- I'll get back to you on that!
Lastly, if you're reading this and I normally read your blog ... don't give up on me yet! I've had a lot going on with family commitments the last couple of weeks (one son and his fiancee flying off to Costa Rica for a two week wedding/honeymoon/beach and surfing vacation, the other graduating from NC State... Go Wolfpack!) so I've had little time on the computer. Tomorrow I'll have access to a computer with high speed internet (thanks, Dad!) and plan to catch up then... in what will be record time for me (since I'm still on dial up... which should be called TurtleNet).
Have a great weekend!
BTW - the reference photo came from WetCanvas - thank you to the generous person who uploaded it.
15 comments:
I am watching you with intense fascination having just done two portraits of children. I am a huge fan of painting the eyes first (in animal portraits) but with the way I paint portraits, I am unable to complete the eyes first. This is why I'm watching so closely!
Thanks for the WIPs!
Lovely - I love the delicate, almost translucent quality of your pencil work. Have you looked at the blog of denise burden (see my blog list)? She works in delicate colours - you might be interested in her work.
What a sweet photo - I rather like what you've done so far just as it is. It's kind of eerie and interesting! Its nice to have you back - quite understand how life takes over sometimes, which is as it should be!
Ah, nice to see you back. I can't believe you do all you do on TurtleNet. I don't have the patience .. that is why you do colored pencil and I don't. Ha. This is a beautiful start to a nice photo.
Laure: I did consider painting the eyes first but I seem to like the time on less critical areas to get warmed up. One of these days I'll cold turkey it and get the eyes in first!
Weaver: Thank you... I did visit Denise's blog and she has some really lovely artwork... very imaginative.
Cathy and Jo: Thanks... so nice to be back!
Really like that photo. Will be anxious to see you working on it.
should be a great painting
I love watching the process as it develops. What a precious little girl... and you have a lovely touch with the pencils.
Oh I'm going to watch Blue Girl with great interest. Great start.
Oh Teresa you won't know yourself with High speed Broadband...you will be low flying.
We all get busy at times and can't find time to draw/paint or blog. I will be here and keep an eye on your blog for upcoming projects etc.
Thank you for visiting my site...Yes I am glad I finished the roses...Thank you for the gentle push. I am happy with it... xxx
Hi Teresa,
I found your blog through Laure's--so happy that I did! I will be back to see your progress with this---I can see already that it is going to be fantastic ; ) All the best to you~~Kathy
This is going to be beautiful, Teresa, can't wait to see it finished. Did you ever finish the background on the little flower girl?
I'm so glad we finally got dsl this past year - it makes all the difference in the world! I had an internet tether with my cell phone for a while and that was considerably faster than dial-up. If you have a cell phone and cell tower fairly close with data support, then you might want to look into it. It will depend on your cell phone company as to whether they offer it though. (Sprint, Alltel, Verizon and a couple others have it) You can also check with your regular phone company to see when they're scheduled to offer dsl in your area. It's easy to set up and easy to use.
I am on dial-up also. So I sympathize. I have to take a day here and there to catch up on my blog reading! I do enjoy your blog!
Love it love it love it!
I liked your oils, but your CP pics are much more fascinating and clear and expressive. Can't await the finish.
Forgive my ignorance but what does WIP stand for?
I like your landscapes but I think your child portraits are your forte.
Came over from Rosie's blog. The painting of the little girl is coming along! I admit I'm too impatient for colored pencil, but my fling with oil is lasting (also do pastel and sometimes watercolor). Visit me sometime and look for the paintings - cheers, Jeannette
This is fascinating to me to watch your progress on this one. Especially with the watercolor underpainting. Your start looks terrific and I will be looking forward to updates! It's a precious image too.
Thanks for all your comments on my blog! I've been really busy lately with the Every Day in May challenge plus I am taking an online class. I'll probably blog about that soon!
Post a Comment