Meet the Wife of John IV - My Sister, Steph

A quirky photo of Steph ... irresistable pose

Thin washes of grisaille

Some wild background colors

More wildness

Some dark blues for depth and darkness

Work on the hair. It was here that I realized her eyes were too wide. Bring out the Magic Eraser!!!

Eyes better shape. Think I'll play with the hair next.

I've started a smaller version of Buddy as well, to work out any kinks before I do a large painting.


This is what I've been up to lately. And yes ... I am dying to get to some of those old car photos. too!

The Langley Cruise-In ... or ... NOT Your Usual Day in the Country

Phenomenal paint jobs

Cool cars

Cars like works of art

Shades of "Christine"

Beautiful grille 

Art Deco paint job

Lush interior

One of my favorites

The toy rat, coming out of the gas tank, caught my eye as we were leaving

   It was a fine, hot day in Langley today. People were out in the thousands, crowded in a few city blocks, to admire the cars. The cars, from all over North America,  were parked along the sides of several closed-off streets.
   My sister Steph came out from Vancouver for a visit, and a tour of the car show. We wandered around for almost three hours, until we were "car-ed out". And this time, she kept an eye on me; the last time we went, we got separated, as I got so absorbed in the cars and taking photos. [Good to have a caring sister.]

A Big "THANK YOU" to All My Critics

Studio light

Daylight



Thank you all for your input. I really appreciate it! I had reached the point where I'd been looking at it for so long, I wasn't seeing it. I think it has turned out to be a decent portrait. Whether John and Steph [my sister] will approve, we shall see.

HELP!

The real thing

So far ...


To my eye, I have somehow made poor, old John look too feminine. Does anyone have any ideas? My eyes are crossing from looking at this all afternoon.

Still Zipping Along at Super-Slug Speed ...

Bit more color and shadowing all round

Went over face and lighter hair with thin wash of quin. gold. Painting looks more intense in reality, but still not enough intensity.

John the Fourth

The real thing

An aborted attempt - too orange

Another no-go

Start with a grisaille - raw sienna, quin. pink + cobalt blue

Skin - raw sienna, quin. pink + cobalt blue
Hair - raw sienna, aliz. crimson + cobalt blue 

Needed background to be able to better judge intensity of skin tones.
Ground is aureolin, quin. pink + cobalt blue 

Tone down and deepen background with quin. burnt orange + indanthrone blue

More darkening of face shadows with grisaille color

Hair colors blocked in. T-shirt  blocked in, again to better to judge  skin tones.


This is my 4th go at John's portrait. I've tried different techniques and color combinations, and have found  the more "traditional" approach is working best for me right now. I have found that a realistic portrait usually needs some earth [sedimentary] pigments to start, then you can add depth and intense color with the staining colors. For years, I have avoided using the earth colors, as I always seemed to get it too muddy. But I am finding that, thinly applied, they work wonders with flesh tones. So, here I leave John for tonight; tomorrow I will get some brighter colors in the skin colors. As always, I truly appreciate all your comments! 

Grounded

I left off here last night

Played with the cast shadows

More detail work, and a very simple "ground"

   Well, I almost went cross-eyed painting this one, but it's done, and I think it looks alright. I had some very good input from Prabal, about connecting the tires more to the shadow. I thank you, Prabal; it makes a very good difference! I considered putting an angular, geometric shape, from the tractor to the upper right area, but decided a line would serve well to define the open space of the field to be worked.   I was attempting to conceptualize machinery as art, a shape in a design. I think I succeeded. As always, I welcome your comments and input!