Aria
 

This is a pastel of Aria, a friend of mine. She is an aspiring actress from a family of outstanding musicians. I actually started this one earlier this year but had to set it aside because of commissions. I did have this (unfinished) in my portfolio in Philadelphia, but I didn't like it much then... I think now it's ok, but there are still little things that bug me about it. I'm ready to move on so, yes. It is finished. I think....

Pastel on sanded paper, 19" X 25"

What a beautiful painting! Congrats!

Somehow, she reminds me of Linda Brandon. ;)

You know Leslie, I hadn't made that connection, but now that you mention it....I do see a very strong resemblance to the exceptional Linda Tracey Brandon. :cool:

And thank you for your kind feedback.

Darks
 

Absolutely stunning technique. I haven't used pastels in a generation and when I did it was in a Degas style hatched fashion and I would love to know how on earth you get your darks to be so dark and dense?

David, this is beautiful. The hallmark of your portraits to me is a real feeling for the subjects. They always seem very much alive--your technique is the support on which the character rests.

Dear David,

This portrait is so exquisite and so sensitive. It is always a pleasure to see your work.

Gorgeous as always.

I second the Linda likeness !!
Astonishing technique, David, reaching this degree of finish in pastel !
A stunning portrait
Ilaria

David it is beautiful and superbly handled. I am especially drawn how you have managed, with what seems a few strokes and just the right amount of value change, to make the fabric read so well as velvet.

David, I like this very much. As usual you have put so much feeling into your portrayal of the subject. The warm, deep colors and texture of the velvet add to the general emotional tone. It occurred to me that you might have been dissatisfied with this at first because you weren't saying all you wanted to say. I wonder if you should try a couple more of her, just to see what else you could say. She looks like a person you could paint/draw several times without getting tired of her.

Peter, Tom, Chris, Cynthia, Ilaria, Enzie and Alex, thank you so much for your thoughtful and kind responses.

Peter, in this portrait most of the real darks are simply black which is easy enough to achieve. But the problem I encounter is getting the dark colors as they emerge out of the black background/shadows. To achieve this kind refined finish, I use pastel pencils. I enjoy working this way, but the darks in pencil form (aside from black) are not that dark. So for the really dark tones, I have to switch to some Unison sticks I have (and I don't have that many) which are dark and beautiful. A little awkward but I make it work for me. I'm not sure why the pastel pencils don't go very dark - maybe because they would be too soft and wouldn't hold up to sharpening...? I don't know...

Ilaria, I don't think I'm going to look at Aria again without thinking of Linda! I'm curious what Linda would think of the likeness?

Enzie, you're right, it just takes a few strokes of the right value and chroma to achieve the look of velvet and for that reason it was quite easy. It makes me want to do more portraits with velvet!

Alex, you are extremely perceptive! I think you hit the nail on the head, and as it turns out, I am working on an oil portrait of Aria - and I'm sure there will be more. She's becoming my "go to" model. Not only is she beautiful, but she understands and is enthusiastic about the look I'm after. She has an extensive wardrobe of period costumes, dresses, and understands how important clothing choices are in a painting. She is a delight to work with. Thanks.

This is scrumptious David. So soft and delicately rendered. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!

Ok? It's magnificent.

So, now, I forget, why is it that you're teaching high school and not backed up for the next five years with portrait commissions?

For heavens sake. Leslie, you crazy European! I am probably old enough to be your mother, so no, I don't look like this lovely young woman.

David, I will get you for this, I just coughed my tea on my computer screen. Poor Aria! let us hope she doesn't see this thread.

And will you PLEASE stop getting to be so good, since you are making the rest of us look bad.

Aw Linda you're so beautiful! You're supposed to just bat your eyes and say "why thank you handsome young European ;) "

David, this is so lovely! It looks like you've elegantly captured an exceptional young woman. I'll look forward to seeing more of her!

Christy

Hello Mom..
crazy? Sure, but who inform you about that? ;)

I dunno, cannot explain exactly why but I see it so.... and I

Heidi, thank you so much. That means a lot.
Ummm....because I'm useless when it comes to business? ...that might have something to do with it. But I'm working on it!! :cool:

Linda, get some paper towels, wipe off your computer screen and take another good look at Aria: you could be sisters for cryin' out loud!! :santa:

Yes, any model that reminds one of Linda Brandon is, without doubt, going to be "exceptional" in many ways. Thank you, Christy.

Christy, you are right - I got on the internet last night and got flustered. I violated one of my rules, which is, "as you age and degenerate, always act as if you're the last to know". :)

Leslie and I have emailed for years and he is in fact a charming, very smart and funny European. And if he calls me "Mom" again, I will have to go over there and beat him up. (Leslie - I am not really THAT old.)

As far as David is concerned, this is what I get for sitting at a table with him at the portrait convention - I am being teased. David, you really are getting to be too good!

Hello there...

She is so beautiful and you did another stunning work.

David!

Have been away and just saw this...amazing work! Love how you handle the darks and make the contrast with the flesh the main protagonist of the whole piece.
I

Claudemir, thank you very much.
[QUOTE=Carlos Ygoa]I