"Paintings have a life of their own that derives from the painter's soul." Vincent Van Gogh

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Home from Washington DC and Portrait Practise

Daryan / oil on cardboard / 16 x 12

Edward / 14x11 / oil on canvas panel
Back from a wonderfully perfect trip to Washington DC - exhausted but very happy! I have so many photos and will share some of them and some of my experiences there as soon as I can download and categorize the photos. Today I am packing my two ballerina paintings for shipment off to San Diego for the Women Artists of the West show. In the meantime, I thought I would post these two portrait sketches that were done from models at the Reno Portrait Society - I could not seem to get a glare free photo of Edward.

14 comments:

  1. Hallo Susan, je portretten zien er zo natuurlijk uit, mooi !
    groetjes,
    Simonne

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    1. I am always trying to capture a mood and a personality with paint. They are both so elusive.Thank you, Simmone.

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  2. Omgosh Susan! You did such an amazing job on both of these portraits but I REALLY love Daryan! She's beautifully painted......wonderful colors and light on her face.... and Happy Easter to you and your family.

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    1. Her portrait came easily - its so nice when that happens. And I do hope you had a wonderful Easter with your family.

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  3. Glad you had a great time.
    These two portraits just blow me away. You manage to capture so much expression and personality in such a painterly style. Also love the colors.

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    1. Thanks so much, Julie - those are the kinds of nuances I am always trying to catch with my brush and paint. Your words are greatly appreciated.

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  4. Such strong and beautiful portraits, Susan!!!
    And I look forward to your posts on Washington.
    Kathryn XX

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    1. Hi, Kathryn - and thanks! I have just gotten all the photos off the camera - I took too many and its so time consuming! Loved your post all about Bruno!

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    1. That means a lot to me - thank you, Diana.

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  6. Beautiful portraits Susan. They have your elegant handwriting all over them and an ageless quality. Lovely. (If the painting of Edward has a glare, it could be due to the paint being wet. That's been the reason, when no matter where I shot the painting,in whatever lighting, the camera still caught the glare of the oil).

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    1. Many thanks, Linda. Yes, I think you are correct about the wet paint. Perhaps I will rephotograph that picture when it is dry. Thanks for thinking of that!

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  7. Such great light in theses portraits , love the expressions too !

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    1. Thank you, Jane. The Portrait Society bought new spot lights and it made a big difference in the quality of lighting on the models.

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Your comments are welcome and brighten my day!