I allowed this grasialle to dry completely. Then I mixed a color that may look strange to most artists. It is a mixture of a flesh tone called a half paste. I apply it to the areas of skin, even in the hair where it will show. I use a very soft fan brush to buff it to a sheen. This gives me a surface to paint on over the wet layer of flesh. I use titanium white to very gently sculpt the face, following the patterns already established in the previous layers. This process always looks blotchy but it will even out as I apply numerous glazes of this flesh halfpaste.

The photo always goes to the top so this is the third photo. It shows the molded or sculpted form. Each time I put on another layer of half paste it is more transparent and it becomes more flesh like. Then I glaze with pinks and reds to make the skin tones luminescent and lifelike. You will see how it develops as I continue to work on this image.

Last summer when it was time to enter the Ligonier show I debated about what to enter. It had been a busy year for me and I had entered and gotten awards at almost every show I was in. This was the latest event for the year and I thought I would not have a piece to enter. Then I realised I could show this great portrait of my grandson. I don’t like to enter something if in my opinion it is not worthy. I think this one is one of my best and I realized I had not used it in this show so I entered, it was accepted, and the show has been hanging since November. The evening of the reception was really an exciting evening. The artists were regional, not just local so it was exciting to meet new artists who were of the highest caliber. Winning third prize was an honor among this talented group. Today Bruce drove to pick up since the show has ended. When he returned he smiled and handed me an envelope with an award for People’s Choice award! What an honor. It is especially gratifying to have the vote of the people. I feel blessed that so many have enjoyed Sammy in this painting I entitled “The Mountain Stream Hideout” Thank you all so very much. This ends a whirlwind season. I will try to compile a list of my shows and awards for 2017. Like I said, it was a whirlwind year, beginning with my solo show last March at the Latrobe Art Center.  I will enter some shows this year but I hope to spend more time painting.  Hope you are enjoying your art endeavors too. Shalom, Diana