In time for Christmas! :)
 

Just finished this Christmas commission (pending client approval). . .

30x20", Oil on Linen panel, (Not yet titled)

Wow Terri!

That's awesome.

Great composition.

Thanks Claudemir! :sunnysmil

Wau, indeed! Terri this is beautiful! Would you do a close-up of the hands. I often see nice paintings, with really sloppy painted hands. Your work is just awesome in every aspect.

Enzie -- so glad you like it! :sunnysmil
Here are close-ups of all the hands. Sorry there's a fair amount of glare, especially effecting the view of her right hand, . . . but the paint was still wet and it was dreary here today, so difficult to get clear photos. . .

Hi Terri, nice to 'see' you again here. I'm impressed by the way you have successfully modelled these skin tones. Your paintings always seem to me to have a calm and gentle air about them and this one is no exception. I'll bet the clients are thrilled with this!

Thanks Linda! -- you're right I haven't had much time on-line lately . . . life's been too hectic! Getting this one delivered will let me finally relax a little and get ready for Christmas :santa: Yay!

Beautiful portrait, Terri! It's a really dynamic composition combined with your soft, serene painting style. The colors of the shirts and wall are vibrant, but the skin tones are quietly colorful. There are so many contrasts to delight the eye. And the hands are exquisite.

Thanks Terri!

The close-ups came out well.

Terri, what a perfect portrait, well balanced, soft, harmonious. It's a celebration of your style!
Ilaria

Very alive!

Alex, Ilaria, Cynthia -- your thoughtful comments mean a lot to me -- thank you!

Enzie -- you're welcome (and thanks!) :santa:

Yep, another beauty.

The way you paint hands just blows me away. I cringe if I have to do one yet
you always seem to tackle them all with ease.

If I was your client, I'd be thrilled.

Congratulations!

Terri, you have done it again, another master-peace. I hope you have a good manager.

I'm curious. Do you establish your values with umbers then introduce color or do you go with color from the start? Thanks.

I know the clients will love it.

Terri--

Nice job--the clients will be thrilled I'm sure. As others have said, it feels very calm, peaceful, and alive.

--TE

Difficult not to repeat that, but that's exactly what I feel too. Serenity of happy days of childhood.
Congratulations, and take time to enjoy your own happy days, you deserve it!

Thanks Janel! (you flatter me though. . . :sunnysmil )

Mischa, thanks! I used to use an underpainting technique. . . but found for me that this wound up in a lot of rework/redrawing as I'd inevitably lose the likeness and have to 'recapture' it when laying in with color over the underpainting. So now will start directly with a very thin layer of color (a wash in this case but more usually color applied and scraped back with a palette knife) just to kill the white of the canvas, rough in position, and cut the 'drag' on the brush of getting the first layer of paint on. If you're interested there's a WIP of this here.

Tom and Marina-- thanks so much! :santa:

Lovely, soft and engaging...wonderful edges and delightful color harmony.

Brava!

Thanks Chris! :)

Terri -

Yet another beauty! As others have commented, wonderful soft feel.
You must have a quality to you that brings out the best in people as you photograph them. These kids could easily have been sulky, given another personality working with them.

I am awed how that bright lavendar-purple works so well as a background. Without that color, this beautiful portrait would have lost an extra-special quality. How did you think to use it? Do you have many differently colored backdrops that you take with you to the client's home? Or do you plan it ahead of the photo shoot, based on location and client's clothing choices?

Thanks so much Julie! :sunnysmil

A few challenges went into this painting. . . it couldn't be more than 20" wide, had to include both kids with simple background and preferably include that dusty plum. . . the client's favorite color. I liked the idea of it complementing the gold in their hair. . . and guess I also liked that it would contrast to the (cream-colored) walls where the painting will hang helping it to visually stand out from the wall. I don't bring (or even generally use) backdrops but luckily have a sweatshirt in just this color and was able to use that to guage color effects.

Merry Christmas!