I don’t have a lot of time today so I made a color choice for the background. On the next layer, I will subdue or desaturate the blue to a much softer quality I will place a white over the t-shirt so that the violet shows softly as well. I may then go over the shadows with French ultramarine blue. I love doing these head and shoulders if they are well lit and interesting poses. This one shows the boy’s personality so well, as does the one I just finished of his brother. I usually make a painting, then have Bruce make a frame or use one I have gotten on a thrift shop find. Well, I sorted out those frames which I have collected and it seems that I am going to have to begin painting subjects sized for the frames I already have because there are some really nice frames to make use of. The mother and baby is an odd size because She is my best example of making a composition that is suited to a particular frame, rather than the way I have done it up till now. Do keep an eye on thrift stores, antique stores and yard sales! Shalom, Diana

This step can be difficult. It can throw the artist and also the subject if they see the image at this stage. But many portraits are painted with no foundation or understanding of how to ‘build’ a three dimensional portrait on a two dimensional canvas. As you put time into getting a good likeness, allow your brain to see what it needs in order to look true and. Correct when finished. Correct at the earliest possible stages and keep your marks transparent ,as light as possible. Then you won’t be fighting those heavy darks as you continue. I often make a correct mark on top of a not so good mark. It is only possible because I keep these early, structure building marks thin and light. Happy painting.Diana.

I began the day by redesigning a sewing pattern so I can make the blouse I want. Since I had no pattern, I had to search through about four drawers full of patterns that I have collected since I was a teen. The very last pattern I looked at was the only one that I could possibly adapt. Let’s hope it works! Then I worked on my mother and child. The baby’s dress is eyelet so the work is extremely detailed. Also, white is not so easy as it looks. then, since I was working with white already, I started on the brights for my great grandchild’s portrait. If you are following this blog to learn this indirect method of portrait painting, you will know that after I transfer the drawing, I use the same dark paint to soften the shadows and refine the transfer. I allow that to dry and then I paint the brights. These are not called highlights. I put highlights on at the end. This is almost like sculpting a statue. Using your best soft and fine brushes, apply the titanium or a mixture of titanium and flake white with care and finesse. Study your photo reference or your model and follow the flow of the light. Where it is soft, be sure to keep the paint thin. Where the light is strong, paint this in a more solid but not heavy manner. I always keep my beginning layers minimal if possible. For example, I do not recommend trying to paint the over all hair with solid colors. I only place a few strands of the dark hairs in order to establish the pattern. Each layer can take on a few more applications. In this way, your hair will turn out looking much more natural. So, with the brights, think of this as painting the brightest rays of sunshine first. We can refine this and then cover it with a halfpaste that I refer to as skin. We can also apply the halfpaste directly after this application of brights, (be sure to let it dry well first). Then we can continue to refine the brights to improve the accuracy and likeness. After this dries I will modify and refine all the features and shadows, being careful to keep the value light. We will intensify the depth of value and hue as we get into the painting further. I do hope you read the blogs carefully but if you are very observant, you can learn a lot just by looking. That is how I learned and the work I was able to see was finished. It was not presented as progressive work in progress. Enjoy and learn. Adapt what I show you with your tolerance and ideas. Enjoy, Shalom. Diana

I know I just turned eighty but it is difficult enough to find my way around this tech stuff and then I pull up this website to find some gremlins have been in here again doin their magic to ‘make things better’!!! When users finally master or at least know their way around, why do they find it necessary to throw in all these changes? Now I have to spend more time and frustration just trying to do a nice post for my artist friends.
ok, I will try to calm down. I just got warmed up and settled down from being out in the cold night staring up at the planet parade. I was able to see the brightest planets but they were not as close to each other as I was expecting. I hope some of you took advantage of this celestial sign as it isn’t to happen again in our lifetime. This is a great grandson. I love the light in this. He has a great smile with tiny dimples in this view. These details are necessary for the likeness but it isn’t so simple to get them right. This grisaille is the first layer after the transfer. This is the best time to capture the image of the person, the likeness, personality, spirit. I started my art life painting large and I still love to do that. But there is a special connection when painting a head and shoulders, a closeness and special deep understanding of the features. I feel privileged to have this opportunity with each one. I do hope these will be valued and protected for generations. As I paint these faces, I cannot help but imagine that a hundred years from now, their grandchildren will view these paintings and. have an appreciation for the efforts and love with which I have painted each brushstroke. Shalom, Diana

This is the greatest feeling, when you put first marks on canvas and already the likeness is good. Now, let’s see where it goes from here. This is one of those images that jumped line. When I came across this photo that I took so long ago, it screamed,’Me First’! The composition is usually what draws me in. But I want this one to ‘knock your socks off!’ But now I must cook dinner.

I tell my students that, in most cases, jurors do not wish to recognize ‘cutsie’ images. I say, If you choose to paint an image that might be in that category, then it must have something special about it; something that just can’t be overlooked. In this image, the adorable rosy cheeked infant is front and center with the one little pink foot facing the juror. Mom is glancing lovingly with a firm caress. The dark, simple background evokes a quiet night. Even the angle of the adoring mama’s face directs you to the slumbering child. And the colors are chosen to make the baby in white the center of attention. The life-sized image cannot be ignored. This portrait is meant to make you, the viewer, want to reach out and transfer this sweet bundle into your own arms. I am praying that my artists hand will give this portrait the magic touch it deserves.

This composition was derived from three photo images and some imagination. I will post again as I near completion. I do hope you enjoy!
Also, welcome to so many new subscribers. Please share the link with friends.
Prayers continually for all who are suffering as our world experiences turmoil. Shalom, Diana

I have several paintings in the process and hope to concentrate on finishing them so that I can get started on the large project I have begun. There was a while when I thought I would do fewer or maybe none of the large paintings that I have been known for. I figured I would just do head and shoulders or maybe some naturescapes. During the time of my cataract surgery and recovery, I did that. Even now, I have several awaiting completion. There is one problem. I am having trouble getting glasses that are helpful in seeing and painting the large ones. Simply put, I can use my reading lenses for these smaller ones but they don’t work for the larger ones, so I’m struggling. I’m tired of waiting to get glasses that work so I guess I will just try to paint with vision that isn’t perfect.
These head and shoulders can fool a person. They look simple, then, they aren’t! But another layer of flesh after this dries, a few more bright blond fly away hairs, and, voila! Finished! Talk to you later! Diana