Alex, nice brush work. I especially like the whey you captured the hands in the sun. I like your first of Nan as well.

Thank you, Mischa! I agree that the angle of the sun on her hands made for very interesting colors and patterns. Lots of fun to paint.

This is just fabulous.

Juicy paint (I'm envious); bold application; rich, clean color; GREAT light; really palpable feeling of sculptural mass and weight, terrific characterization. What more could one want?

Alex, I don't know if your experience corresponds to mine, but when I paint someone for a second or third time, the characterization is so much more insightful and subtle, as here. Great that you explored your subject again this way, to see what new things would be revealed. Obviously time well spent.

Best--TE

Thanks so much, Tom!
Yes, I do feel that way. I've actually attempted to paint her several more times before the one I posted here with the yellow flowers in the vase. The first time, I felt I hardly scratched the surface. It looked like her, but was not her. Every time I tried, I was able to say more.

A friend (an artist) asked me to paint portraits of her children at three different ages. The same thing happened. (I couldn't believe she wanted me back, but it was a fascinating experience to be able to do this.)

Alexandra - this is just wonderful! Your pools of shadow and light that have the substance of flesh. My eyes feel so well-fed looking at it! And I so admire your confidence and unquestioning drive, and your honesty.

May I ask this mundane question: did you use a photo or have your friend sit? I presume the latter ...

Thomasin, thank you on all counts!

I used several photos. I wish I could get her to sit for me--she's a big advocate of painting and drawing from life--but I can't get her to sit still. This past summer I even tried scheduling a time, but when I got there she was busy with something else! I'm still hoping, though.

Alex,
very nice light and shadows. I love the close up, I could watch them for hours!

Alex,

I echo what everyone else is saying but I'd like to add a question.

Do you ever (or perhaps I should ask would you ever) take photos of your work
in progress in steps from start to finish? Your paint strokes look so fresh that I am curious what is underneath, if anything.

I also really enjoy the close ups.

Marina and Janel, thanks for your kind words!

Janel, I'm glad the strokes look fresh. I build the paint up in about 3 layers, not that I count them or anything, it just usually turns out that way. If I don't like a certain section (if it looks labored over or if the brushstrokes don't look the way I want them to be), I wipe it out and try again. Even if the paint is partially dry, wiping out with a paper towel smoothes it out and gets off any thicker strokes so it's easier to paint over without getting muddy.

I left a lot of the underpainting showing in the rosebush. I first used sap green (dark but transparent) mixed with burnt umber and burnt sienna. On top of that I added thicker paint only where I needed it. The figure of Nan was done in thicker, more opaque layers.

Actually I have done a few WIPs here that might show the stages you are referring to. They are:

http://forum.portraitartist.com/showthread.php?t=7475

http://forum.portraitartist,com/showthread.php?t=6922

http://forum.portraitartist.com/showthread.php?=6260

But you might have seen these already.

Thank you Alex,

Do I feel stupid?

Yep!

Not sure where I've been that I've missed these.