William
 

I've been off the boards for a while, teaching workshops across the country and here in La Crosse, and I'm off to London and Russia in a week, but I just finished this little oil (26" x 34") and thought I'd post it. The work is in oil.

Detail of his head.....

What a wonderful portrait! I most especially like the colors and mood. I'd say that this is a winner. Congratulations Peggy.

A Gem
 

This is a remarkably beautiful portrait. Camille Corot occasionally painted portraits of children, mostly for close friends. Your portrait has the fragile, timeless beauty and grace of those portraits.

S. Bartner

Peggy, it is beautiful and captures a certain innocence.

I like to add it in my next newsletter to SoCal-ASOPA if that

Peggy, this is a beautiful portrait! Very sensitive and delicate. Children are hard to paint, and you've done a wonderful job.

Renee Price

Peggy,

The study for me here is in the background. The placement, the tone and the ever so slight suggestion. Not that the boy isn't wonderful!

Very nice, Peggy!

Tell me, it reads overall a bit red on my monitor. Is this color adjustment more true to the original?

Hi Cynthia,

It looked a bit red on my monitor also. I like the adjustment. This is a beautiful portrait Peggy.

Dan

Thanks for the input. My computer screen is a little wonkie, so I've tried to adjust it for this screen. The image is also off a digital camera, and I have a greater problem seeing color differentiations in the digital than I do on a print.

Thank you all for your kind words. I haven't posted any portraits for quite a while, and it's so very nice to hear your support!

Mike, The background is actually the defining element of the portrait. Before I settled on a background, when I had just William and the chair, it was a very nice child's portrait, but didn't get what I wanted to emphasize. I wanted there to be a sense of scale, the relative smallness of the boy. I also wanted to repeat the "round" theme. Putting an oval frame in the background didn't work, (no "scale"), and linear forms also didn't work. So I came up with the idea of an oversized floor globe. I found an antique globe pencil sharpener, 2x2 inches, and painted that MUCH bigger into the background. Once I had the repeating circles, (Williams head, face, hair, chair, etc., and globe, base and holder, then I was able to play off the vertical shapes, stripped wallpaper and screen.)

I will attempt to scan in slides that I have, the clarity and color might be better than that posted. Thanks again, Cynthia, for looking out for me!

And hello Scott! I don't think I've had a "conversation" with you! Thanks for the comparison to Camille Corot. It is very much appreciated!

Hi Peggy,

I use digital images of all my art work now. But it does tend to increase both color and contrast. I use PSP to adjust my images.

Your background and "props" in this portrait are wonderful. I hope you continue to post your works.

Dan

Thanks, Dan!

Peg--

It's a lovely thing. Nice to see some of the new work.

You're always my "scout." You point the way and I'll try to keep up.

Best as always--TE

HI Peggy!

Another beauty. I especially love the eyes. Congratulations :D

Stanka and Tom! So good to hear from you! I should post more often if I get the hear from such old friends.

I am currently teaching here in Brighton England, very very hot, but the mushy peas are good and the internet cafe's are working.

Thanks for your kind words. I miss you guys....

Peggy

Hi Peggy,

I just spotted this one. Congratulations on a beautiful portrait - such soft, liquid eyes. And thanks for posting your "behind the scene" painting procedures, you've given me lots of ideas.

Best wishes,
Linda

If I'm not mistaken Peggy, wasn't this a WIP that you brought to Sarasota this spring? I remain entranced by your work.

BTW, the newsletter was a hoot, Jim seems to have missed his calling...a very funny (and engaging) writer!

Linda and Sandy,

I'm still in London, so can't answer with any substance, except thanks!

I think I did bring William to Sarasota. It seems like such a long time ago!

Off to Russia tomorrow, so I will not be in contact for three weeks, I'll catch up with you all upon my return.

Peggy

Molyadets! (Is this right?)