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

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Darcy - Red Haired Woman!

Darcy Kathleen / 16x12 / oil on canvas board
I just LOVE painting red hair and Darcy has it in abundance! I arrived late to the portrait session this morning - only by about 5 minutes - but there were so many eager artists in attendance that I had to squeeze into the corner and attempt a profile portrait once again. Perhaps this will teach me to arrive earlier! Darcy is a striking beauty who sings blues and jazz in local clubs here in Reno and at Lake Tahoe. She had her hair swept to one side and was wearing a pale gray vintage dress with lots of shiny bead-work. I was heartened when she told me she loves the portrait and even took a photo to show her mother!

In my studio, I have 3 unfinished larger paintings in different stages of completion. I don't like going back to a partially completed painting unless I know I have a good amount of uninterrupted time in front of me. This week was filled with chores - changing tires on the cars, dentist appointments, banking and on and on...... Now that they are all out of the way, my intention is to finish at least one painting this weekend. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

31 comments:

  1. Beautiful Susan!! Your portraits are fantastic! I love painting hair too... of any colour.
    Happy Painting.

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    1. And I love the loose and lovely way you do portraiture in watercolor, Nora.

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  2. So, Susan...I finished reading your comment on my blog about the complexity of the nest I had painted, and I come on over here to see this amazing mass of red curly hair and I go WOW... now thats what I call complex!
    I can tell you love what you paint the same as I I love what I paint. NEAT!
    (I am exactly the same way about having to have a clear run of time to complete a painting.)

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    1. What a great comment - thanks, Julie. I tried hard not to overdo her hair - I wanted to just catch in paint the volume and character of the waves. I do love painting people - its what fascinates me so!

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  3. Bonjour chère Susan,

    A faire frémir beaucoup d'entre nous ! Une telle belle chevelure...
    Ma fille Fauve a une chevelure identique. Dommage qu'à ce jour elle les masque avec une coloration qui lui retire à mon sens toute sa véritable personnalité.
    J'adore ce magnifique portrait que tu as peint. Cette jeune femme a une belle allure. Son visage dépeint un sacré tempérament.
    Tes couleurs sont dynamiques et évoquent avec une belle subtilité cette force d'âme.
    Auras-tu l'occasion de peindre cette jeune femme de face ?...

    Gros bisous ☼

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    1. Thank you , Martine. Darcy has promised to return to the portrait group one day dressed in another vintage costume. I will try my best to arrive early for that session so I can capture her beauty from a different angle!

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  4. I think your portraits are second to none Susan and one day I would love to see a step by step process post. Yes, she is a striking model and with fabulous hair and bone structure - But to capture those in paint is something only masters like you can do :0)

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    1. Wow - how nice you are Sandra! I don't know about being a master - that is a long way off but I will never stop trying. I see so many things I could have done better.....................

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  5. What a superb portrait, Susan! I can understand why your model loved it, and took a photo to show her mother. Beautiful, beautiful work ... and all that glorious red hair!
    Now I'm really even more excited to see what you work on this weekend.
    Kathryn

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    1. Thanks, Kathryn - your comments always make me feel good!

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  6. Darcy's hair is motivating. It's glorious. Of course she would love it; it's outstanding. Isn't it annoying when life gets in the way of painting? Last week was like that here. Now, smooth sailing--but those two monochromes are still being ignored. I'm refilling my cup with patience.

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    1. Yes, Linda - it is extremely annoying! I am okay with this likeness of Darcy but want to begin using thicker paint during the life sessions. They go by so quickly and I a have been focusing on capturing likeness and an essence of the person. Perhaps I need to concentrate more on technique for a while. :(

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  7. Darcy is a fabulous redhead, a wonderful classic beauty , and you painted her hair beautifully with such great softness and movement.

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  8. Surprise! Surprise! I'm back Susan and marvelling at your posts. I take your point about having an uninterrupted run. I have spent the last year rebuilding 'everything' so that I will have much time as I need for happily ever after!

    The new phase will start with portraits in acrylics!!!! ... and I've never tried portraits before ... really excited about it, and the future!

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    1. How nice to see you back, John - you have certainly been gone a long time and have been greatly missed. I am very much looking forward to watching your journey into portraiture. I have a feeling you will bring the same level of intensity to portraiture that you brought to your ink architectural and other drawings

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  9. OMGosh, Susan!!!! A fantastic portrait...she's beautiful and that hair!!! You're getting better and better with every portrait you do.!!

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  10. Such gorgeous red hair, and you painted it so well! Have fun painting!

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    1. Thanks, Judy - this time of year, with holidays looming, always presents a challenge of finding enough time to paint!

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  11. Hi Susan, I am so happy to have found you through Michael's blog.
    She is a gorgeous woman and l love how you have highlighted her hair and profile. Hope you have found the time to paint!

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    1. Welcome to my blog, Celia. Michael is such a wonderful blogging buddy and I appreciate so much that you found my site through his. Thank you for your comment!

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  12. Deze is echt prachtig Susan, de kleuren van haar huid, en die mooie rode krullen...
    groetjes,
    Simonne

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  13. I am so pleased to read that model liked this portrait! So beautiful and masterful work of art.

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  14. Ciao Susan,
    you are right, red hair are very beatifu! and this lady has a big vitality and personality|
    I saw your portraits and I think that you are very able to give life of everyone!
    Ciao, ciao, Floriana

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    1. I appreciate you dropping by and commenting, Floriana! Many thanks for your kind words.

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  15. Susan, I definitely commented on this beautiful face before, I don`t know what is happening, probably Google. It is a beautiful portrait susan. All the best.
    Vic

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    1. Yes, Vic - probably Google! Thanks for coming by and commenting - again! I really love that you follow my blog! :)

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