Jessie
 

Just finished this one, trying a limited palette

I love the slant of the head and colors chosen. I am guessing it's pastels?

Hi, thanks for your comments.
The medium is Unison Pastels with Sansfix paper.
Margaret

A very strong image, Margaret. The oscillating light and form in the colours is lovely. Great work!

Thank you as ever for your encouragement Thomasin. Just looking at your own new work, looks stunning.
Have you ever tried pastels?
I know you like the scuptural effect of paint. Think I'll take the plunge and have a go!

Magaret,

A very powerful head. I especially love the eyes. They speak volumes.

Margaret,

This is wonderful! The light glows on her skin and her eyes and bone structure are magnificent! I'm especially attracted to the structure of her nose and the yellow reflected light on its side. The planes and the texture and sheen of skin are so well expressed. I feel as though I know her through what you have said about her in this portrait.

That's great, I'm delighted that you like the image, thank you Sharon and Alexandra.

I'm trying to become more expressive and spontaneous
(the main trick I'm having to learn is to stop 'fussing' and walk away from the easel)

Here's another in simliar style.

Margaret,

You are becoming an inspiration.

I have to learn to stop fussing.

I love this head, it holds together even tho' the color palette strays from what is considered 'natural'.

You have managed to do two portraits of great feeling, without being treacly or sentimental.

Margaret, the second is is great too! Have you thought of doing something bigger with more space around the figure so that it becomes a colour field where the intensity of work is the same in the background and foreground.

Here is Anne Gale . I thought you might be interested to see her work. An example is below.

I am hopeless at pastels - whenever I start to do one I inevitable give it up to do the same thing in paint.

Thomasin, Anne Gale's work is amazing.
Your recommendations are always worth looking up, do you know these people, or are you just very well educated in art? (I'm interested because I'm just starting out, always looking for pointers)

I think I will try some figurative work with more detailed backgrounds.
Only problem is, I tend to work larger than lifesize, I'll have to find some bigger sheets of Sansfix!

Sharon, I was really touched by your comments.
Your own work is superb, have you ever tried pastels? I've found they're a great way to loosen up and experiment.

Margaret,
I like your work, especially your sense of edges.

I have another hint for you ; Nicolai Fechin. His work also seem chaotic at a first glance and he, like you , have a solid drawing as the foundation.

Many thanks Allan.

Nicholai's work looks really interesting. I'm trying to get hold of a book of his images, nil so far on Amazon
Have you seen the work of Ken Paine from London?

Your own work is very striking Congratulations
('Andreas' and 'Egon in profile' especially caught my eye)

Thank you again for your comments

Margaret,
You find a book about Fechin here: http://www.fechin.com/index.html

Ken Paine is a fine, experienced artist, born in 1926, did you take a workshop with him ?
I was reminded of Bonnard when I saw Ken's pastels. The colored grounds works well.

Allan,
Yes,, I've worked with Ken who continues to take several workshops a year. I'll be seeing him in Paris next month for the International Pastel Conference, can't wait
He's a stimulating teacher and a great artist.

Thanks for the website, I'll explore further