Sydney
 

Recently finished. ;~)
Here's a link to an enlarged version on my site: http://www.fineartportrait.com/sydney_painting.html

Wow, beautifully done (as usual) Marvin!

The dimensionality of the piece is stunning.

Thanks Julie. I appreciate your comments. I've been really focusing on the three dimensional aspect. It's nice to know it reads even in reproduction.

oh, yes, it's wonderful how well it reads....can only imagine how it is seeing it in person.

Love this Marvin! Thanks for posting the close ups. It helps to see how you turn the form with hue and value, so subtle and it reads so well. The expression is full of youthfulness. She looks her age which is sometimes tricky for me. Love the cheek up to the hand, very realistic...great...

The face shows a solid escultoric approach :thumbsup: .

Thanks Patty. Aside from creating the 3-D effect I was going for the dreamy quality in her eyes and expression. I know a lot of people are into the painterly approach these days but I feel a more refined handling of the paint allows for more subtle nuances of expression. I think Bouguereau is a good example of the kind of sensitivity I'm going for.

As you know, I'm currently working on a four by six foot portrait of a family in a garden setting. I'm trying to juxtapose the refined handling of the figures with a slightly more painterly handling of the foliage.

Thanks Sara. I never the term "escultoric" used before. I assume it's derived from the Spanish word for sculptural, escult

Sculptural, indeed! Thanks! You are right, I derived it from 'escult

Hopefully, escult

Marvin,

I have said it before and I will say it again, you are without a doubt one of the top portrait painters out there today. The depth and color are just captivating....you did it again!

Thank you Mike. I pour my heart and my soul into every portrait I paint, so your comments are greatly appreciated.

Lovely masterful work!

I don't stop by here very often these days, but when I do, I am always thrilled when I spot a new Mattelson painting to drool over. Another superb beauty!

Thanks Laurel for your kind comments.

Heidi, You flatter me. I have the same reaction when I see your beautiful work.

Perfection!

Marvin, I love this. She's so alive and the color is beautiful.

Thanks Garth and Alex, It's been a while since I posted this so I was surprised to see it pop back up. Very pleasantly surprised. I genuinely admire you both, so thanks for making my day.

Wow, so beautiful, your heart and soul certainly shines through your work.

Just gorgeous, Marvin. Should we put it in the Teen Girls gallery on Stroke of Genius? You may already be there with an older one. I'd have to look.

Thank you Leslie,

I don't believe I'm currently in that gallery Cynthia.

loving the nose
 

I have to confess these images are hanging on my studio walls and i look at them everyday. Every day something catches my attention, this morning it was the nose, particularly the nostrils since that is what i am working on in my current painting and struggling with. Marvin Gray (wink!) you are always on my shoulder teaching me!

I agree. Lovely painting. I will keep coming back to this one.

You don't need any comments... but.... Wow!

Perfect
 

Another perfect painting, Marvin! This is gorgeous!

Take care and hope you're doing well,

Renee

Thanks Patty, David, Claudemir, and Renee. Your comments mean a lot to me. It's always nice too feel appreciated. Happy new year to all.

Hey Marvin...Awesome portrait. It is very life like and I really sense the persona of the girl. Love your values and color of her eyes captivates me.
New to this and I am just seeing this now.

Wow plus Marvin.

One day I will get across the big pond to have a workshop with you and to see one of your paintings in person. I bet it will knock my socks off.

I just love the eyes and the jacket colour. You have raised the bar once again.

I notice that in the light reflection in the eyes you seem to have made a slight red stroke within it, splitting the white, can you explain the purpose of this mark?

Thanks for your latest inspirational work, you must be very proud of your efforts. You have done a great job!

Ngaire

Hi Ngaire,

It could just have been a fleck from my brush when painting the top plain of the lower lid. It never bothers me when color jumps around because it helps unify the painting. Sometimes I do it without thinking.

This painting is currently being featured on the April issue of the Artist's Magazine. They also did a article on my work in the same issue. The reproductions could have been better but tI think that the writer did an excellent job on the article. It's on the newsstands now.

I am so happy I couldn't sleep. I don't visit here as often as I should.

Marvin, you continue to slay me. What a beautiful and masterful piece of art. Guess I am going to have to buy a magazine now.

Thank you for posting. I am looking forward to the day when we can get together.

Stunning portrait, and a terrific article. Very valuable. Alas, The Artist's Magazine has a history of terrible color reproductions, which would seem to negate the whole point. I remember some reproductions of Impressionist paintings a few years back that were dark and murky, completely losing the beautiful light in the originals.

Thanks John & John. As someone who worked as an illustrator for 30 years, I guess I'm somewhat immune to the ravages of reproduction but there is always a little sting from the falloff. As an illustrator I had the ability to compensate for printing, but when I do my portraits, it's only the original that I'm concerned with, which in this case looks light years better. But in the end, a bad reproduction is better than no reproduction at all. However, I am most grateful to the Artist's Magazine for giving me the opportunity to share some of my painting and philosophy with fellow artists.

AND...the great Mr Mattelson is coming to Cleveland, OH
 

Anyone still interested, there is room in Marvin's 12 day workshop in Cleveland, OH at the Cleveland Institute of Art June 4 0 16th in the brand new studio at CIA. Call Lisa Kramer-Reichel to register Monday, at 216.421.7461. Let me know if you have questions!