"Vanessa Painted From Life" 11" x 14" oil
When I was editing this video, I decided one part of our conversation was perhaps too personal and not pertinent to its intent, so I searched my iTunes library for a song to fit that time segment. If you're my age, this song played incessantly when you were 16. The video is a bit over 30 minutes long. My voice is akin to Minnie Mouse's, it turns out, and it seems I can't resist making sound effects when the camera zooms in. Odd.
I got a wonderful commission today for an 11" x 14" oil of a sweet teddy bear of a Grandpa and his precious Grandboy, both asleep on the sofa. I just had time to start a sketch before it was time to leave...
This is Grampy (John) and Nadine. I liked them immediately.
Another fun day at the gallery today, followed by waiting over an hour for the bus. Some sort of traffic snarl out at Six Flags caused our bus to be VERY late, so I focussed on the Pollyanna credo: "There's always something to be glad about." I got to know a couple of the other riders while we waited and I was grateful for the cooling air and the breeze and the vantage point from which to watch the endless parade of tourists emerging upstairs from the Riverwalk, swiveling their heads and trying to get their bearings now that they were on street level. Some looked lost enough for me to offer help. Some still had drinks in their hands from a party on the river. I'm loving my city after all these years living here.
14 comments:
Great video and sound track, I am always amazed at the ease with which you sketch in the features getting the size and proportions just right from the get-go. I guess it must be your years of experience plus a good eye. You start off so dark, it's almost frightening! I love all the colors in the facets of her face that look right. It's so helpful to see another artist at work, I have learnt so much from you.
You have such a positive outlook on life, (late bus) which is something to aspire to, and makes you the loveable person you are!
Thank you again Susan for making another video, started my morning with it. I love the start you have on Grandpa and child, can't wait to see this completed. You have such a great attitude, we can all learn so much from you. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
I do that! The Pollyanna thing! Not nearly often enough, but life is pleasant when I try to play the Glad Game. :)
I loved watching the video! It's inspiring. I'm a plodder, myself. Have a little girl coming out tomorrow for photos. (I probably should be figuring out that new camera now.) Can't wait to see Granpa and Grandboy!
Oh, thank you, my friends, for watching through that whole thing! When I watched it after it published, I thought the whole Uncle Albert/painting the dress part was EXCRUCIATINGLY slow. I kept wanting to grab the brush and get it DONE! Whew.
Thanks Barbara! I know that the painting-in-the-dark part, especially on white canvas is scary, but it's so much better than sneaking up on a portrait. New portrait painters tend to paint very pale out of fear. It helps to tone the canvas so the contrast isn't so great at first. I've just learned to trust that it does work out.
Ooops... that response was meant for DIANA. Sorry, Diana!
Barbara for real this time: I'm very excited about this painting "Grampy and Kaiden." John is such a big, sweet man and the way he and Nadine spoke about the 10 month old boy, you just felt the love expand in the room.
I finally subscribed to my favorite bloggy friends' "feeds" so I could see at a glance who has posted something new. Making the rounds is one of the best parts of my day.
Hi Laura! Things go better for me when I can Pollyanna my way through them, too. And always, always there ARE things to be glad about. I even think that the universe hands us more of whatever we've found to be grateful for, (just as it hands us more of anything we dwell on). So I try to choose my focus. Good luck on your photo shoot! Your work is Astounding.
Great job on the vid of Vanessa. It's a fantastic painting too.
Who would know you're using bad brushes. Helen Van Wyk said you can paint with a broom if you know what you're doing. I believe we could hand you a broom and out would come a beautiful portrait. Could have fooled me. I would have thought your brushes came straight from John Howard Sanden.
Enjoyed the video. I really like the longer versions with your comments. Maybe I just enjoy watching images emerge. Anyway, this one works well, even the part where you sub with music. Good job, Susan. P.S. I'm not telling how old I was when this music was popular. P.P.S. Pollyanna is better than bitter or whiney--we usually see what we look for.
I can't wait to see Grandpa and Grandboy.You know I am a sucker for grandbaby's.I love my Sadie so much.You amaze me Susan.I would have been pacing the streets if my bus was late and you made a bad thing into good(people watching)..
Karen Wagoner
Thank you Mark! Dianne, I think I need to get that brush lesson soon. Even people who don't paint look at my brushes and tsk-tsk at me. -And I have to watch the Pollyanna stuff, because sometimes it has me putting up with things I'd be better off changing. Karen- it's so good to see you here! Yes, I know you're at least as sentimental as I am. And that's saying something! I hope to post some progress on "Grampy and Kaiden" later today.
Very enjoyable to watch - thanks for sharing.
Susan,
Haven't had much time to check in with my internet friends lately...busy with weekend shows and that thing I refer to as "my real job. I so enjoy watching your videos...they're so enlightening. It's fascinating to watch you paint. Keep them coming. They are just great.
wonderful video, thank you! you mentioned ways of seeing values without squinting...what are they? I'd love to know!
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