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Monday, January 11, 2010

Just Thinking....what can I do next?

"Grandma's Boy"
Watercolor on Paper
8x7

This is Wil...the first grandson of one of my friends. I'm not sure this is quite as good as my last watercolor portrait. It seems a tad overworked in a couple of places yet it does resemble him nicely.

Will has the most beautiful little 'pursed' mouth and gorgeous hazel eyes. There was so many colors in his eyes that it was hard to get them all in. I really struggled with his hair...you know me and my thing for detail. I almost blew it here!!

Anyway...here it is, one more portrait for you to take a look at. Enjoy
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Psalm 37:25
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
Psalm 37:24-26 (in Context)
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5 comments:

Woodward Simons said...

Marsha, I just finished an article on portraiture for Watercolor magazine. I love the detail in the hair - no shame of painting detail if you love it.

I do have one small piece of advice... the top and bottom lips are usually much lighter and warmer.. only the middle line between the lips are darker. Photos can overemphasize the values.

Where the creases are in the neck, take another look at the photo. Usually creases and wrinkles from life are a lot lighter. If you're working from photos, try printing out one that is lighter and with lower contrast in order to see the subtle values.

Hope you don't mind my sharing....?
Lori

Woodward Simons said...

Oh, one other idea. If you have any picture books with paintings by Bougereau, there are great examples of colors and values with children.

your brushwork is wonderful. Keep it up!

Marsha Robinett said...

Lorie,
Thank you so much for the critique. Never hesitate to give your advice, seeing through different eyes is invaluable.

I did have the lips lighter and the photo was some what lighter (should have left them as they were) but had trouble showing the demarcation between lips and face.

Once I added the depth, I was afraid to try to lighten them for fear of messing things up for good:(

I'm going to check out Bougereau's work as you suggested.

Thank you for taking the time to give your advise. Much appreciated

Helen Percy Lystra said...

Great job on the hair, blond is difficult. Lori's comments are good ones.

Arti said...

Hello Marsha, thats a cute one!Simons has rightly pointed out what I also noticed.In my watercolor portraits I put minimum color on lips...and no hint of outline at all..that gives most natural results.Visit me at www.artichauhan.blogspot.com
I am a big fan of your pencil, BTW:)

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