Beginning of new commission

I started this 16x20 oil on stretched canvas on Thursday and will be working more on it today. My father was with me at the gallery on Thursday and had the idea that a flower on his lapel might be nice. I called the commissioner and was told the subject, her father, liked red roses and boutonierre would be fine. So I'll be looking for photos of roses with similar lighting. I'm working mainly from a black and white photograph- a really good one- that was emailed to me. I also have two color snapshots to help with color. Often I'll tone the canvas first, then do the sketch with a small brush, but this time used a brown pastel pencil on the white canvas and began the painting on white. This is as far as I got with the rough-in before closing for the night.
I'm loving having my parents in town for a visit. They'll stay through April and attend some of the Fiesta events. My dad, especially, is an avid people watcher and adventurer.

4 comments:

Linasolopoesie said...

GOOD SUNDAY
To you that ..... Still look at the world with the eyes of a child amazed
That you .............. You open your heart to love ..
To you ... Dispieghi their wings to discover new heavens and you accontenti the quiet life ...
To you know that .... listen to the words and even more silence ...
To you that ..... Always have time for a hug ...
To you that .... Experienced pain and love for this life more ...
To you know ... smile with eyes and heart because you know the price of tears ........
To you ... Have the heart but not hurt you tired to travel to the island that is not ...
To you ... Has a crazy dream in the tray ...
To you ... No longer dreams but not you up and trying again ... and finally ...
Good day to the souls prejudice ... That life is gentle with us and with the people you love ...
GOOD SUNDAY ......... LINA

Angela Fehr said...

Susan, I would have to think that the hardest part of portraiture would be dealing with poor quality reference photos. Do you ever get some that are so poor that you just have to turn them down? And are you more confident of a good likeness if you have actually met the person you are painting? You have to have a real assurance of your skill in order to do portraits, I think. I have had luck with a few portraits, but I am not skilled enough that I am consistent with getting a good likeness.

Sarah Sedwick Studio said...

I am looking forward to seeing the finished product! I also agree with angela that this sounds like poor reference material - so I'm sure we will all be twice as impressed when you make it come out life like and beautiful.

Anonymous said...

this portrait is looking super. Very good job. I like it when you explain how you have begun...always so interesting to hear artists process.