A Connecticut Girl: Laura at Thirteen
 

Hi All,

Laura is quickly growing into a delightful and charming young woman; although to be fair, she had always been delightful and charming. This represents the second attempt at her portrait during these past four months. She had changed so much during the ensuing months, that the first version of this portrait begun in May needed to be scrapped for a fresh new start last month. The challenge has been to travel on location, get the right pictures, come home and paint the portrait, and trust that it somehow captures that singular moment within a lifetime.

Having seen the first version and with the mutual decision that too many things needed big changes, Laura took the task of posing once again quite seriously. Today I've applied a few finishing adjustments and plan for delivery tomorrow (so again, I should be out for a few days).

Let me know your thoughts, if any, thanks!

Garth

Wow Garth-- what a visual treat! And thanks for posting the close-ups!
Just scrumptious!

It's hard to get all the colors to look right in Photoshop, so the actual painting seems a little less pasty and a little more punchy, I think. Probably everyone else's works do as well when posted.

Geez Garth.......do you sleep?

I've said it before and I will say it again.........you are sooooooo good!

Thanks so much Terri and Janel,

Your kind words mean a lot. I have re-tweaked an reposted the images just a tad darker and richer, to better reflect the painting.

Janel, I do sleep sometimes..... occasionally.

Thanks again,

Garth

Garth,

How I would like to see the first version, just to compare.

I sense a sort of Hammersh

Garth, I really have to give you an 'online handshake' to congratulate you on another great piece. I am thoroughly impressed by your solid technique in the handling of colours and edge control. Technically, I love the realism and smoothness. As a portrait piece, the image is casual and beautiful without being pretentious. What I find very interesting is how the background is incorporated so well with the different light sources and composition. This piece really shows me that (with proper planning and preparation) a casual scene can look classical and 'masterful'. I have to ask...do you purposely refine focal areas such as the figure (head, hands, skin) and leave other areas, such as clothing, background etc. more loose with visible brushstrokes? Furthermore, do you try and keep sharp edges to a minimum?

Great work. :thumbsup:

David

Breathtaking! I am in awe and love the close-ups!!! Your skintones are beautiful.

This was my quote from the other painting of Jane and her dog. You've outdone yourself. I love the balance of classic and modern, formal and informal. That balance has me more impressed than the wonderful technique. I'm very jealous.

Don't know if it's been asked of you before, but do you have a website where I can conveniently envy your work in one sitting?

Garth,

This painting is quite wonderful. It has a "Sargent" look to it, particularly the overall color scheme and background. Looks like a photo from a distance while maintaining it's painterly quality up-close.

Superb!