Sheeba

Lisa Ober · 08-30-2005, 02:07 AM

Greetings. I have finally gotten around to finishing up an oil version of my favorite model, Sheeba. I don't normally do a portrait of anyone whose eyes I cannot see clearly reflecting light so this was different. I must have some strange addiction to challenging patterns as the pattern of her sari certainly was another uphill struggle. Leave it to me to approve of a sari with sequins.

18 X 24. Oil on panel.

The color isn't entirely accurate thanks to the red in her sari throwing everything off. It is close but not perfectly accurate.

Thank you for looking.

EDIT 8/31/05: I hated the background. I hated it from the beginning. Since we all know how incredibly impatient I am and since this was just for me I settled. Then I got a PM from someone very thoughtful who suggested it could be better. The suggestion went on to say the fabric "look" wasn't as believable as the subject. Well that validated what already bothered me so I decided to change it. Originally my thought was to do a simple background but I feel like I am always doing that so I didn't. Well, I should have stuck with my gut. I think this change has been an improvement and I hope you agree. How many of you were gritting your teeth at the original background? LOL. How many of you wished I had put this in the critique section? So, I hope you like the change. I am also adding another photo of the entire face in a separate post.

Thank goodness for the ability to amend posts, rethink artistic decisions and for fellow artists looking out for my professional growth.

Janet Kimantas · 08-30-2005, 05:33 AM

Lisa,

Thanks to my galloping insomnia I get to be the first one to congratulate you on another stunning portrait. It seems that each one is more lovely than the last. I so wish I could see some of these in real life. They must be riveting.

Way to go. Janet

Mary Sparrow · 08-30-2005, 08:24 AM

Beautiful!

Lisa Ober · 08-30-2005, 07:37 PM

Janet, you had me laughing hysterically. I have galloping insomnia as well! Thanks for the very nice words. You sure are eloquent in spite of your sleeplessness. Very kind of you.

Mary, good to see you! You must be insanely busy. Thank you for the compliment. I think Sheeba is a pretty lady.

Claudemir Bonfim · 08-30-2005, 08:28 PM

Wow Lisa!
What else can I say!

Molly Sherrick Phifer · 08-30-2005, 08:37 PM

Lisa,

This is absolutely gorgeous. I love the skin tones! I just can't get over the detail on the sari. Sequins? You gotta be kidding! You even put the little holes in the middle of them. Yow, that would make me nuts (if I could even figure out how to do it). You are truly a master of detail. The fabric is as breathtaking as her face.

Is this a bridal sari she is wearing? It's beautiful. I adore the gold details.

Your fan,

Alexandra Tyng · 08-30-2005, 08:41 PM

Lisa, this is even better than the last, I think, and the last one of her was breathtaking. This has a completely different quality. The two of them together would be an interesting diptych. This one fascinates me because her eyes are looking towards the shadow at something, not just staring into space, and she is amused by whatever (whoever) she's focused on. I love the mouth! And the sari is beautifully done, but you've captured that living quality in the face, without which no amount of sari detail would carry the portrait.

What does she think of the two portraits?

Alex

Elizabeth Schott · 08-30-2005, 09:15 PM

Lisa what a lovely refreshing break after the three business guys!

I can see why she is your favorite and the fabric is wonderful. Another winner.

Lisa Ober · 08-31-2005, 02:36 AM

Hi again!

Claudemir, thank you so much. You are always so supportive. I hope you still like it after the major background adjustment.

Molly, I assure you that if you wanted you could certainly get stuck in the little details like I do but you are smarter than that. It's a compulsion. A sickness. A disease. Thanks though! It's nice to know the compulsion has a positive effect somewhere.

I think she did tell me this was one of her bridal saris. I think she had 3 of them! I wish I could paint her in all of them. They are the most elegant item of clothing I think. She had one that was white and was gorgeous. It weighed a ton and was heavy fabric. I don't know how she could stand it but boy was it beautiful. Now I am thinking I will ask her to model it too. I must be nuts.

Alexandra, whoa! You said so many nice things I wish I knew of a better way to say thank you than "thank you." Thank you-but I really mean it.

Sheeba is quite soft spoken and shy. She is kind beyond words. She is selfless and hard working. I really admire her. She is also quite naive but smart if that makes sense. I think this one represents her better than the last one that I did in pastel. I missed painting her eyes looking at the viewer but it is more like her. She was very complimentary about the first one but I think it was hard for her to say she liked a picture of herself. She hasn't seen the second one. I think she will like the softer background more so I am glad I changed it before showing her. Thank you again for your comments.

Elizabeth, thanks! Not to sound ungrateful for the corporate commission, but I much prefer this type of portrait. It certainly was a refreshing change of pace...twice, now that I have seen two different backgrounds on it. I do like painting her. She has a subtle beauty I think.

Here is a close up of the entire face. The other day I couldn't get a good photo because of glare.

Kimberly Dow · 08-31-2005, 07:58 AM

Lisa,

This is absolutely lovely.

Im glad to see Im not the only one to change my mind about backgrouns.