Oliver

Oliver

20x16"

Oil

     Very soon I will be demonstrating portraiture for my local art club, so I am practicing. This is my nephew when he was about two. The skin tone of children is brighter and fresher than adults, so I must keep that in mind when mixing my paints. Also their features sit differently on their faces than adults. If I paint what I see, I should be safe, but it is good to understand these principles in advance.

"Tangerine Tango"

Three Big Apples

8x10"

Oil

$160

(Daily Paintworks Auction beginning bid $85)

     I had this painting all planned, and when the Challenge was to paint something in THE color for 2012, "Tangerine Tango," I did not have to look far for my subject. It took two yellows, one orange, two reds, and alizarin crimson to get that red.

     I love painting apples in the tree, but this was surprisingly difficult for no known reason, but I kept at it and finally got it to where I said, OK. Then when I photographed it, I could not get the colors to be true. I sacrificed the pale yellow (almost white) background for the red, red apples. In fact, they are even redder than they appear here.

     Even the most familiar jobs can sometimes jump up and say "Boo."

Breakfast

Mimosa

8x10"

Oil

$160

(Daily Paintworks beginning bid $100)

     I have not done a Challenge since before Christmas (you know, family, cooking, parties, etc.). When I saw that Carol assigned "Breakfast," I thought of eggs and croissants and such. But then I thought of the lovely Mimosas we had for Christmas Brunch and decided to paint that. 

     I am glad I chose this because I have never painted glass, and so here again is the Challenge spurring me on to new territory and teaching me lessons.

Sundae

Sundae

20x16"

Oil

     This is my latest and last commission. This lovely client talked me into it after I had already sworn off doing commissions. I am very honored that she wanted me to paint this for her.

     To me this is a "true-love" portrait. It was very important to convey the warmth and devotion these two feel for each other. I knew that even if the likeness was perfect but the feeling was not there, the painting would fail. I think it succeeded. My client likes it and she tells me that Sundae likes it too.