Royalty

My friend Barbara Noonan, who paints fantastic portraits, allowed me to practice with her photographs. Now, you have to understand, she is also a fine photographer, so this was quite a boon! This is one of her pics. I loved her stance, like a princess, her beautiful curls, and those eyes. I don't know that I did this beauty any real justice, but I am having a blast painting portraits. It's on Canva-Paper, so another miniature oil painting look alike.

For now I'm not offering these for sale, but I may soon. I'm becoming more confident with practice. That's the idea, after all. I'd love to know what you think, if there are any "yous" out there looking in...

NFS

Steven

I borrowed this photo from WetCanvas, too, and have never met this man. The name on the file is Steven. I couldn't think of a title, so Steven it is! I painted it on Illustration Board, which lets the paint sit on top of the paper. It's a much different experience than painting on the softer papers like Arches or Pastelmat. Every stroke shows up! I really like the hat and lanyard and decided to leave it in place, boldly black, which seems to draw the eye to his face. I'm most pleased with the glasses and with his beard. I'm still learning!

NFS

His Look

Another of my experimental portraits, this time trying a man's face. I painted it on black Pastelmat paper, which has given him a swarthy complexion that I think works pretty well. The photo is another one from the Reference Image Library at WetCanvas. I'm learning a lot!

NFS

Aged in Grace

This is from another shot from the WetCanvas RIL--such a pretty lady, isn't she? I'm learning how to handle the shaded areas without making mud, which isn't easy. I love that gouache allows me to completely wash off and begin again in places where its needed. Her right cheek (on our left side) has had multiple passes, as well as her left eye, which I relocated several times.

Yes it is only 3.5" x 2.5" in size. Here's a shot to show the scale:

It's painted on white Pastelmat, giving it a softness that this face invited. Hope you like it!

NFS

Reflection

A different kind of reflection this time! I've become intrigued with faces in miniature lately. I'm going to post a couple of these over the next few days. Totally experimental, loads of fun, probably a long, long way to go...

They aren't going to be for sale because I'll be referring back to the first few. This one was painted from a photo from the Reference Image Library at WetCanvas. I'm not sure it looks that much like the girl, but that isn't my greatest concern. I want to use good contrast, capture a mood, and paint loosely, with painterly strokes and fresh colors. This one pleased me.

And yes, it's the same size, 3.5" x 2.5", and is painted on Pastelmat.

NFS