I have a lot going on. i am getting ready for portrait class that is coming up fast. i will post other images after that starts. I don’t want to work on my painting until I can demonstrate for the students. In this image, I have applied a thin, transparent flesh tone to which I apply a modifying darker flesh where needed and then I sculpt the entire flesh area with titanium and flake white, full strength but applied in varying degrees of thickness to be bright or less so. That is all for now, Diana

I have been asked repeatedly to do a portrait class. i thought last year at this time that i would do it but Covid and other things just did not let it happen. so, I’m giving it a try and the class is full already. everyone will bring their own photo references. The photo i feature on this post shows my two great grandsons along with the grayscale image graphed in one inch squares. then i cut paper the size of the canvas and begin by drawing the first graph lines in the middle, always start in the middle. i have calculated that my graph must now have squares of one and a half inches in order to make the image fit the area of canvas correctly. Then i use the proportional dividers you see here to mark the positioning of the features. it can be done freehand but i dont have time for correcting mistakes so i begin with this tool. then i draw the image lines onto the graphed paper using the squares to get everything correct. making a perfect drawing at this point is not as important as having the measurements right. i will teach my process, my method and also advise my students on how to handle the oil paints to achieve the skin tones and texture quality that give my work its special wow factor. please excuse the typing errors in this post. for some reason the ipad has decided not to punctuate or capitalize. first it does, then it doesnt. i wish it would be consistent! sorry guys. Happy painting. And for those who are now students, you can use these posts to help you get an idea of how things will be done in class. see you then. Diana

My portraits are recognized and remembered for a couple of reasons. one of these is the suppleness and believability of skin depth and texture. it is important to get references with subtle shadows. Even if you have these in your references and even if you paint them solidly into your grasaille or underpainting, the difficult part is understanding how to finesse the light and dark to enhance the value and increase the three dimensionality of the flesh. I tell my students to remember that shadowed flesh must still have skin, I have heard other artists teach not to add white into the shadows. Practice seeing and applying transparent amounts of skin over the shadows, especially on babies and elderly subjects. Look carefully at the shadowed areas where I have laid in the skin. Later observe how obscure but realistic it looks. Keep in mind the many layers it takes to achieve this look. Enjoy, Diana

Strange day. Reminiscent of the flood of 77. Hurricane rain, dams overflowing and reports of dams breaking. Here beside the Conemaugh River we have frequent floods in certain places but since our area is hilly, to say the least, most places just get runoff in their basements. If the River is high enough to flood, you know there is a lot of water. Today, the painting I did was interrupted often by calls asking about our safety. I have such a desire to paint, but never seem to get much done at one time. This is the main reason I use the methods I do in order to make the most of short bursts of energy or short amounts of time available. My grasaille is almost complete. I used a flesh tone to deepen the areas in shadow and to make small corrections on the features. Beginning artists in realism don’t seem to see all the detail that will eventually bring their painting to that ‘wow’ place. And it is a factor of seeing, rather, noticing. We must learn to look into the dark spaces, or even into the light to see things that will catch the viewers attention. One thing about painting in tiny bits like this, it is truly like a puzzle; all of a sudden the final piece goes in and it’s done. HalleluYah!

How can I describe how much I love painting faces? I feel reinvigorated as I get back to work on the painting waiting on my easel. I moved into not quite warp speed as I learned that a show I was watching for was on the schedule and just around the corner. I am just not on their normal list of artists to contact so did not receive notice. Now I will be on pins and needles as I wait to learn if my work is juried into the show. Fortunately, I had already begun work on a triptych that called to me, causing me to set aside a work in progress. I do this often; not work in a hurry to finish something but I do put one thing aside as another seems more compelling. So, now I can have renewed interest and concentration on this one. I will post a photo I just took of the application of a second or maybe third layer of half paste that builds up a supple skin layer for the baby and children. I do this for all age ranges but there are adjustments for a variety of reasons. Here you will see the stronger dabs of half paste applied in the brightest areas and following contours to a certain extent. I will spread this paint over the surface and it will behave just like a transparent layer of skin. I love works of art with a rough painterly brushstroke but in most of my work, I prefer a very realistic look in the flesh. I will post and then get back to this. Enjoy your painting.

hi everyone. Here is Ginney. With covid and winter I almost missed getting the reference photos before she turned thirteen. I haven’t posted much of the work in progress because there have been so many other things happening. There was a graduation in Ohio, then a family gathering here in PA,plus a lot of gardening. I have been blessed to have a part time helper so the gardens are presentable this year. The weather must be perfect for roses because my hybrid teas and miniatures are spectacular! Maybe next time I’ll post some photos. For now, I thought you might enjoy the update on this portrait. Once again, the pose and eye contact are captivating. If your portraits are ho-hum, do consider the composition and focus. I am eager to do commissioned portraits for anyone willing to invest in this heirloom for the future generations. Think of it like that. You are investing your money not just in an image of your child or grandchild, but also in an heirloom for your future generations. Take a look at the price lists of other portrait artists. It will shock you. Then realize that my prices are reasonable. People never hesitate to pay me a good value for their pet portrait but rarely have their children our young adults painted. I love doing this and hope to spread my abilities around to those other than my family. I hope you enjoy Ginney. I will show you the finished portrait soon. Then on to her younger sister. Shalom, Diana

Ok, after at least an hour, I think I have Sammy inserted in an upright position. I have painted all three of number four daughter’s children’s portraits at twelve. This is their youngest. I am now working on the oldest of number four daughter, and she just recently turned thirteen. I want you to study the flesh tones and how the light is handled. When my portraits are in shows, I am swamped with questions about how I get my flesh tones so deep and supple. Yes, it is technique, but it is a subtle ness in brush work too. You must see every nuance and shadow and understand how the layering will affect the skin tones. I can’t explain how happy I feel whenever I apply light to these flesh areas. The three dimensionality and form stand out and my subject almost speaks to me. I am going to end for tonight because it is almost two thirty. My husband sometimes has nightmares in his sleep and he thrashes around, well I am there and often end up with more aches and pains than I went to bed with. I had to put heat on my back and drink a glass of wine to settle the pain. I am very tired. Blessings to you all. Diana

I cannot stress enough how different things seem in a photo. I sit here working on an image that feels alive and, even though not perfect, it is so lifelike. Then I pull up a photo I just took and it doesn’t look the same at all. I try to do my grandchildren at twelve so I have other portraits to think back on. As I finished each one, the personality took over, the color, the spirit! When I view them now, I can almost hear them speaking. I almost missed this twelve year period because the virus has kept us from regular visits. I’m sure glad I got the photos for her just before her birthday. It was a glaring sun day so it was difficult to get the bright eyes. I like the shadows but I will tone them down a little. I am so very thankful to be able to do this. HalleluYah!

I wanted to put both this and the last photo together but I couldn’t figure it out. That is just because of exhaustion. Well, I will briefly tell you that the process I worked on today not only establishes the brights and light but it also begins the deepening of the flesh by applying a layer or two or three of skin. This is a mixture of titanium white with flake and mixed with an equal amount of Grumbacher gel. This is called a half paste. I apply and brush it in so that the canvas fibers eventually hold the oil paint. Then, I use a soft fan brush to buff the paint down to nothing more than a whisper. It is sort of like a ghost of life that builds up in layers until the reality is there. During this process the features and other details can be perfected and refined. Happy painting. Diana

I enjoy this stage. Often, someone sees the painting and says, ‘I like the mono tone. You should leave it like that.’ I think it is because in the colorless condition the three dimensionality stands out. This is also where it can become difficult. Today, I was so tired that I almost couldn’t work. Anyway, I like to get the lights established. The BRIGHTS and the Light. I always make an effort to get character into my work. I want people to feel the spirit of the mood and experience what the subject or subjects are experiencing. I will probably put some colors in as a sort of guide for the look I am aiming for. Notice the hands. I simply must work this into the title! Till next time, Diana

I began my day by cutting out a suit jacket/blazer to begin a new outfit for summer. Actually it will work for all seasons. I made white jeans and a navy striped tee shirt and this navy linen look fabric will look sharp with those. Also i will make a navy print dress of the same fabric as the lining of the jacket and then navy dress slacks to complete the suit. So I was exhausted before noon and then I went to my studio to paint. This subject has me committed. It is captivating. I began today with the background. It is only the base layer but I believe I will stay with the neutral color. Right now it looks blah but when the colors of the subjects are applied I think the neutral background will work and enhance the entire painting. Next I mixed up a large quantity of dark from ultra marine blue and burnt umber. I use this for most canvas imprimatura, ie, the base color before applying the sketch. I use it also to develop the features, shadows and depths. I used titanium white to mark every place where light is creating bright areas on the surfaces. When teaching, I call this stage, finding the BRIGHTS. Tomorrow, if the surface is dry, I will mix a half paste with Grumbacher Gel and Titanium white with Flake white in equal portions. I will apply this to all the flesh areas, working it into the weave as I brush it off and buff the surface. I won’t proceed if today’s work is not dry. There are plenty of other areas to work on. And, of course, I can sew. Hugs till then. Blessings, Diana

Here is a pretty good image of the last painting I finally entitled, Make a Wish. It can be viewed in daylight or under museum lighting but the best way to see her is to view in dimly lit night lighting. Just a night time room with a dim lamp. That gives it maximum ambiance or mood. I take it to a local show on May 1. Enjoy.r4&

I finished the birthday painting and just realized I haven’t posted a photo of the finished work. I’ll get the photo and post soon. This is my next work although I must also try to get back to a couple that have been postponed because of some challenges that have not been resolved. I don’t like to keep projects unfinished too long. They seem to get stuck in that condition if I let them sit. So for now, I will tell you that I enjoy this stage of the work so much. Probably because it almost immediately tells me if it is proceeding well. I used the golden number to plan the placement for this one. I have a feeling this will move along faster than some. I guess we will see.

Since I am almost finished with the miniatures I decided to try to wrap up this birthday image too. Since the whole painting is about the candle glow, I am concentrating on all the chiaroscuro effects to heighten the bright light. This is a great challenge. If you have never done this, just keep in mind that the light will not look bright if there is no contrast. I begin with the basic image, then I use darker colors to darken areas that are opposite the light. Now, in places that are really dark, I do not choose black. Instead, I mix shades that will darken without killing the reality of the factual color. For instance, the purple icing is facing us but is opposite the candle light. Our brain must know the purple is still there and in reality, the ambient light would let us perceive this. I will go darker and darker till it seems right. When painting darkened Caucasian skin it can be quite difficult to darken it without making it look like the skin has changed color. Just know that our brain will over ride that dirty blotchiness. It will read as shadowed skin. I’m also having trouble with darkening the side of the cake with white icing. Paying attention to shadows and candle brightness reflecting on it will help. I’ll show this again when it is finished. This is two days in a row where I have experienced loss of vision because of brief migraines ( one to two hours). That makes portrait features tough to paint. But, I consider myself blessed because I don’t get these often and they don’t make me sick. Blessings to all of you who have those things to deal with. Shalom, Diana

This is a quick photo of Too Soon Gone. She is an allegory depicting the loss of innocence of our most vulnerable of society. Our children, both male and female, fall victim to predators even when we think they are protected. We read of three hundred school children being kidnapped and human trafficking all over the world but with Covid, our closest loved ones fall victim to the pressures of this plague. We must be more aware and more vigilant. We cannot think of this as a vague and distant problem.
Too Soon Gone was entered in the 2020 SAMA Biennial at Loretto, Pa. The museum is on the campus there at St. Francis. No reception was held because of the pandemic but the museum had their doors open for casual viewers. The art displayed was phenomenal. Any artist should be happy just to be included in this show. I have received awards here in the past and it was easy to see that almost any of these pieces could have been chosen for special recognition. I brought my painting home after the closing date and a few weeks later I received a phone call from Jess Campbell. She was calling to give me the news that my painting had been chosen for the special honor of People’s Choice! My work has gotten this award in many shows but I was truly amazed for this particular time. The show was packed full of good, really good work. There were three pieces that were getting most of the votes and mine inched forward. I send a special thank you to all who honored her with your appreciation and vote.
I am almost finished with the seven miniatures. The first one I painted did not meet my standards for likeness so I began a replacement. Soon I will post a comparison and update you on the final work. I have the birthday candle painting close to complete but I want to be sure it has the deep, dark and shadowy atmosphere of the candlelight. I don’t want to rush it forward. There are four or five incomplete paintings that I must concentrate on. I don’t like having them unfinished but they each have quandaries that have stopped progress. The biggest problem for me is that there are also at least that many more subjects waiting for my attention!!! I always abandon a painting for another of higher quality or subject interest. These miniatures were started five years ago. I am glad I went back to them.
My health problems have been put on ‘delay’ both by my doctors and my body. I was able to get the pain stopped by a two week liquid diet and my doctors passed me off to a new one because they have no idea what to check next. This new DR gave me an appointment for a quarter year away!!! What amount of concern does that show? Well, I’m about ready to do like my grandparents and forsake doctors altogether. They never went to doctors or took modern meds and lived to 100. Ok, I have presented too much so I should sign off. Have a good rest. Hugs and Shalom, Diana

I decided to take a break from a commissioned painting to do some last layers on one of the three and a half inch miniatures. Three or four of them still have some work to do. I signed it and took this photo but even now, I have removed the initials. It is just too obtrusive. I think for these I will sign in a unique way. I’ll show you later.
hugs and be well. Diana

I started this project in 2015 but so many paintings called me away. Just like now, I have a commissioned piece that I must devote time to. It cannot be neglected because I want my efforts for others to be the tops of my ability. Even so, I have always worked on several pieces at the same time, well, at least during the same general time frame. It keeps my interest peaked and my eagerness on edge so that my work does not get boring or stagnant. I had gotten these out again just before I started this work for a client. So, today, I figured I would use up the paint I have out so it won’t dry as I do this other piece. I also take tomorrow for an appointment in Pittsburgh. I sure hope it isn’t another wild goose chase like the last few times.
I am very happy with the images of my girls and my husband and even mine. It is fun to think that these may be around for hundreds of years. I hope they don’t get separated. Which ever of my descendants get the custody of them, please note that you are considered caretaker, not owner. Well, for now, I must go magically creat a culinary masterpiece for dinner. Yum.

Yes, today I put in more than three hours on this tiny portrait and it is no where near finished! I am very glad I am making progress on these. I wouldn’t want to leave the group incomplete! It is very satisfying to see the progress and be assured of the likenesses. I will be happy to have them finished and hanging in my home. Happy painting to all of you new followers who keep popping on to study my work I hope what I post is helpful. This indirect method helps me because of my health and time constrictions. The other ways of painting always just frustrated me. I stumbled onto this method and have adapted many things to suit my needs. I try to blog about my ways and make it as clear as I can. Enjoy! Diana

I began my day making more medical appointments, still trying to diagnose this problem. Then, after coffee and something to eat I fought with some contact-like backsplash material. I was so exhausted after that so I doubted I could accomplish any successful art work but I tried. It was three when I started and 6 :10 now. I did some refinement on a small commission, then moved on to one of the miniatures. It is a long way from finished. You can see how small they are.

Today I worked on the three and one half inch high portrait of my youngest daughter. I developed a three dimensional effect on the skin, modified the hair, reset the position of the eyes and teeth and buffed lightly. It is much more difficult to keep the skin tones smooth in tiny portraits than in the larger ones. My doctor prescribed a mild med to help with my tremor but I forgot to take it so I was trying to compensate for that as I worked. Even so, the likeness is exciting. I went into this project with only moderate expectations but I am very pleased with the way they are turning out. My attitude is, ‘If you want to do something you have never done before, just pray, and then try it! You may be pleasantly surprised!’

Well, one thing for sure is this, if you want time to go quickly, oil paint seven portraits at one time! I worked on all but one of these today. That one needed to dry. It is fun to see these tiny miniatures of my family sort of take on life as the days go by. I just never get to the other things because I am drawn to this. Well, I don’t need a new outfit sewn anyway because this virus keeps me from socializing. I did water my orchids and I did go to the doctor yesterday.now I will go try to miraculously whip up a delicious supper. Hugs to you all, Shalom, DIANA

I’m sorry my posts are so short but it is six twenty and I have not begun our dinner. I worked on this most of the day and can’t believe it is so late. The likeness is good, I’m happy with it, hope Mollie likes it. I must still modify the skin tones some. Tomorrow I may show you the magnifying glasses I bought after I started these. They are fabulous! Blessings to all.

I needed a break from the birthday painting so I brought out these miniatures that I started at least five years ago. They are my husband and myself and our five daughters. I have wanted to do these for longer than I have been painting. I bought the first set of frames before I had ever lifted a brush and found the second set at an antique store. After I chose the images and began the work, it proved to be too difficult because of the tiny work and my tremor. About a year ago I ordered a gadget I saw on line that works like binocular glasses. The vision is wonderful. My doctor prescribed a medicine to aid in calming my tremor. I don’t use it for regular work but for this, it really helps. There is something about these images as a group that makes me really happy. I hope I can complete them each with a good likeness and artistic skill. The hours fly by when I work but more so with this miniature challenge. It must be some sort of time warp. Enjoy your painting. Diana

Yes, it is time to begin supper so I must stop my work in the studio. I am thankful I can still get upstairs to the studio, that I can enjoy a full afternoon allowing my brain to float around in this zone of creative wonder and that I still have food to prepare for a nourishing and yummy dinner with my husband. HalleluYah! Now if I can just get this photo to publish. Blessings to you all. Diana

I’m sitting in my chair studying this painting from across the room, about six feet.I have darkened all but have not finished this layering. This dark chiaroscuro type surface is just like the last one; in person, the darks are obscure and solid but the camera seems to look right through them. I do enjoy a painting with atmosphere and this one certainly has it. There is still a lot of work to do yet. The table will get color, detail and shadow, there are birthday cards on the corner and candle reflections. I am satisfied with the shape and proportions of the plate but those details are still to be added. Then the colorful candles, the icing and the candle light. There are layers of skin tone, color glazing and highlights and also color and detail in the hair. I forgot to mention adjusting the layers of the dresses. So, even though this is looking close to being finished, it is far from it.

I am still waiting to have last tests to clarify this rare genetic disorder that has caused me a lot of misery for longer than I care to think about. Then a relatively simple laparoscopic surgery should give me relief. I’ll keep you posted. Every thing seems to go so slowly. I’m just grateful to have some answers. I hope you are enjoying this portrait. Shalom, Diana

Last evening I spoke with a technician from WordPress, trying to unravel my frustrations with the site every time it is updated. I must say, this sweet woman was very helpful. I am not technologically savvy but she helped a lot and calmed my frustrations from far away in New Zealand! You will see that when you press blog, you will get a drop down that says Today’s Notes. I have also added a few images to the gallery. Maybe soon, I will be able to set up a way to browse through all the portraits I enter.

So for today’s notes, I will briefly tell you that I made a big adjustment to the scalloped cake plate in this birthday painting. I could not get it to look uniform and balanced. There will be a lot of correcting to do in order to cover what I had previously painted and return the table to a natural wood grain appearance. I try never to let mistakes throw me because this is all part of the process. This painting is beginning to get the glow and warmth of the candle light and the mood of the evening birthday celebration. The deep darks are a challenge. I will learn a lot from this experience if I am successful. I hope people feel joyful and content when viewing it. Shalom, Diana

I started this post two hours ago and then I got on the phone with my girls, reporting about the medical procedure I had yesterday. Still unable to identify the cause of the pain I was experiencing for months. The good thing is, I went on a liquid diet for two weeks and when I went back to solid foods, my pain level was way down. I have to see the greatest doctor in Pittsburg next week. If I said his name, I am sure many people would recognize it. He saved my daughter’s life two years ago. He did a stomach surgery on me so he has agreed to consult on this problem.
I am slowly proceeding with the work in progress. I hope to get back to the miniatures of my family this winter. But already it is almost the solstice and the summer sun will be on its way back. (In the middle of our first blizzard I am trying to think positive.)

I will now try to insert a new photo. Let’s see if it gives me any trouble. I’m not the best with technical stuff.

I actually think I got a new photo inserted. With this new program it does not show up until I publish it. With the old one i could see it right away. I will say about this image that it promises to be a special one. I have only painted one other painting with this type of effect. The lighting is very descriptive and shows the mood of a fun evening birthday celebration. I am concentrating to get the festive atmosphere with the brightly lit candles, the promise of a bright future with the extinguished ones and the lingering smoky swirls and the subdued excitement of two sisters sharing each other’s moment of joy. It is so important to get the candle light just right. These are things that we, as artists, do not necessarily know instinctively. We go at it slowly so as to really observe and learn as we go. Enjoy. Shalom, Diana

I am thankful I am working, thankful I am able to work. Everyone is staying confined to their homes except for rare and necessary outings. Bruce and I did not go anywhere for thanksgiving. Layer that week, two of our families began with covid symptoms. We believe both families were infected and tests will verify. One of the indicators is loss of smell and taste. Also my daughter and husband stayed in bed and slept most of the day. That certainly says something. They are doing ok but three of my grandchildren are now ill. They don’t live near us so we are not affected. I am facing a lot of medical tests so I don’t want to interrupt that schedule. I will fill you in as soon as results come in. That always takes a while. My pain was so intense and unbearable that I put myself on a liquid diet. I expected my doctors to have enough knowledge to relieve my pain. I asked repeatedly for help but when they had no suggestions, that is when I cut out solid foods. I went twelve days and then started with some mild, soft foods. I seem to be ok now, just slight discomfort. Anyway, I am painting when I am too tired dipping chocolate. I.ve been doing that about a week. I did not make any last year. Ummm, it is so good. I do not celebrate pagan holidays but winter is the only good time to make chocolate. It stays nice in the freezer. I’ll post a photo. Also I will get an image of the birthdate subject I am working on. Blessings to you all..