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.