Hearkening
 

This is kind of a different subject for me -- she's in her mid nineties.

20x16" Oil on Linen

This will be a treasure for her family. I also think the soft lighting you used is perfect for this subject.

Terri, I agree with Michele. This is lovely.

I keep being pulled in to look at her face, Terri. You have managed her expression and her skin wonderfully well and I love the carefully painted soft edges. Congratulations!

Michele, Debra, Linda-- Thanks! :sunnysmil

Terry,

Just lovely.

Frontal lighting is just perfect for 'ladies of a certain age'. It is difficult to paint because of its subtlety, but you have handled it beautifully.

Terri,
You did such a great job with this. It's absolutely beautiful. I love the sweetness and dignity you've portrayed here. I keep coming back to look at her face.

Hi Sharon-- The soft light did flatter her. . . tried to milk as much from the value and temperature shifts as possible to make it work -- Thanks!

Thanks Kim! I did want to show that. :sunnysmil She had such a complex mix of emotion in her expression though, not sure I caught it all. . .

Just another dimension of what you're capable of, Terri. You've captured her beauty, even at that impressive age. Very fine work!

Hi Terri,
I also think that you did a fine and honest job portraying this lady. It tells so much about her.

My mother is almost that old and I try to snap a photo of her now and then, but she is unwilling to pose so I did not succeed yet.

Allan

Terri,
There is nothing more delightful to see than a portrait of an elderly person well done. You have captured her beauty and wisdom. Congratulations.

Terri,
when I saw your painting I stoped thinking about technique, lighting etc.. I just though about grace and emotion. Thank you for sharing this.

Terri,

Such a lovely job. The background is just perfect to support the graceful sense of movement.

Terri,
Wow! This is such an impressive work. You've achieved such a perfect balance in this painting, between describing the specific variations (wrinkles) of the subject's skin, but not getting fussy with it or overdoing it. Having just finished a painting with a million wrinkles, I know just how hard it can be to pull off. And you have done so in such a masterful way. Outstanding!

Gosh, it took me by surprise all of these replies here. . . I must have missed an email somewhere!

Alex, Pat, Marina, Chris-- You've made my day :sunnysmil -- thank you!

Allan-- Thanks! It's funny -- the reference shot for this was just serendipitous. I'm supposed to do a portrait of this lovely lady's daughter and son-in-law. but have had a heck of a time getting something that works for the two of them. It was on a reference shoot with them that she was there too, I took a couple shots of her just to amuse her and the daughter liked this one well enough to want it painted. (It took me an additional photo shoot to get something workable of the couple. . . :bewildere )

David--your Buddhist nun... you posted that just as I was getting ready to start this one.Rather than minimize the wrinkles you used that gorgeous dramatic lighting and celebrated them. So beautifully done. and oooooh just a little intimidating. :bewildere :) Thanks!

Wow... very nice draftsmanship! A difficult subjec thandled superbly!

Tony

Thanks Tony! :sunnysmil

This is lovely every time I see it. Masterful! Janet

Terri-

This is one of my favorites of yours...

Janet, Tom -- thanks so much!

Don't know how I missed your comments. . . :sunnysmil