A recent pastel

Steve Craighead · 03-13-2007, 07:23 PM

99% of my commissions are in oils. I really miss pastels though. I guess its the tactile nature of it. I've been trying to encourage folks to commission pastels and did this one recently as a sample for one of the portrait agencies. I've gotten a couple nice compliments, just thought I'd share it with the forum.

Steve

Claudemir Bonfim · 03-13-2007, 08:17 PM

That's lovely Steve. Not only the model is pretty, but the whole composition and colors too.

David Draime · 03-13-2007, 09:35 PM

Steve,

This is really, really fine. You have captured such a beautiful countenance - she is so very lovely. Your handling of this medium is perfect, I think. The colors are just right, as well as the degree of finish. Exquisite!

Would it be possible to post a close-up of the face?

David

Chris Saper · 03-13-2007, 11:37 PM

Steve,

WOW. WOW again. It is such a delight to see your work, I always learn something new from seeing your paintings, and from talking to you!

Beautifully handled edges and value/color transitions.

I saw Susan's portrait of you and it is also spectacular. Perhaps she can post it

Linda Brandon · 03-14-2007, 12:49 AM

Steve, this one is outstanding. You've handled these values so sensitively and with such enviable skill. I love how you've vignetted this, too. It's always a pleasure to see your work.

Karine Monaco · 03-14-2007, 07:25 AM

Steve,

I rarely see paintings that look so alive, and it's just a photograph of it (I am sure I could spend hours looking at it "for real") !

Many people are skilled enough to do good portraits, but you are more than that. You are very talented, and this one is excellent ! I can feel that you admired that little lady's soul. You must have had a great time painting her, especially with pastel.

I thank you very much for sharing with us.

I must admit that I didn't know your work quite well, but you are now on my favorite painters' list ;-)

Sincerely,
Karine

Mischa Milosevic · 03-14-2007, 08:15 AM

Steve, this is awesome! Excellent choice in values and hue. I have visited your page many times and like the way you work. I also appreciate the choices that you make when determining a pose.

Alexandra Tyng · 03-14-2007, 10:29 AM

Steve,

After potential clients see this, I have a feeling the percentage of oils to pastels might change just a wee bit! Not that your oils aren't great, too, but when people think of commissioning a pastel of their children, a certain kind of portrait probably comes to mind. This example will blow the roof right off their preconceived box.

I agree with everything that has been said, but I want to add that I'm really impressed with the delicacy and thoughtfulness of the color and textural relationships. This is especially evident in the dress, the background, the area around the eyes. There's a shimmery feeling to the light and a richness in the shadows though they are not dark.

Cynthia Daniel · 03-14-2007, 10:58 AM

Just beautiful, Steve!

Steve Craighead · 03-14-2007, 06:36 PM

Thanks everyone for your nice comments. I didn't realize how naked I'd feel posting in front of a group of perceptive artists. I'm glad you can see I spent a lot of time trying to get the forms while keeping the color alive and being aware of the edges. Its great to have a beautiful little model and a little luck too.