Father and son

Lisa Ober · 11-08-2005, 02:35 AM

Hi!

It's been a little while since I posted any work. Not a lot of time unfortunately. The holidays are upon me and that is a time when I don't get any sleep (everyone wants thier portrait as a gift). That being said, you may recall the unveiling (my first) I had a month or two ago which was a lot of fun. In addition to a good time it was also terrific for getting new commissions. You may recognize these two men from that piece. Happily, these two subjects were pleased with that last one and commissioned these two for this year and more for Spring of next year. I presented both of them today and they were very pleased (a relief of course) and I was told I far exceeded their expectations. You can imagine I was very happy to hear that. So, here they are again in a slightly different form.

Oil on canvas. Each one is 20 X 24. I have been using MGraham oils and love them.

The subjects are a father and son. They will not be hanging next to each other.

Seems the reds are bumped up a little bit with my new camera. I should fix that.

Thank you for peeking.

Janet Kimantas · 11-08-2005, 08:46 AM

Wonderful! The personalities really come out. I'm going to particularly keep in mind the superior way that you've depicted the signs of age in the older gentleman. A very deft, light touch. Nice!. Janet

Lacey Lewis · 11-08-2005, 09:27 AM

Amazing as usual!

I can see just why you have exceeded their expextations, and I agree with Janet that you have handled age so gracefully here.

Sometime can I pick your brain about how you get everything so soft looking?

Congrats on two more successful commissions!

Alexandra Tyng · 11-08-2005, 11:27 AM

Hi Lisa,

Congratulations on these commissions! I love how you handled the age relationship between the two men. You can tell the father has more wrinkles, but they aren't meticulously rendered, merely suggested, which is amazing given the level of detail in these portraits. Also, his expression is dignified, befitting his seniority. The son looks genial and outgoing, and his attitude feels younger. The feeling is what stands out in these portraits. Terrific job!

Alex

Lisa Ober · 11-09-2005, 09:34 AM

Janet, thanks ! Older people are difficult for me so your compliment means a lot. It's hard to find the balance between flattering someone and yet getting a likeness. Thank you.

Lacey, thank you for your kindesss. I appreciate it. Seems you don't need help from me. You are donig a great job and seem to be so dedicated. That's terrific.

Alex, gosh thank you. You are always so eloquent I think if you told me you thought I should give up painting entirely you would surely say it in such a nice way that it would be taken as a compliment. Thank you very much.

Claudemir Bonfim · 11-09-2005, 11:50 AM

Hi Lisa,
I loved these portraits. Everything is beautiful, your colors are great and the way you captured the features of the teeth is magnificent.
Be happy, these portraits are great accomplishments.

Richard Monro · 11-09-2005, 12:16 PM

Lisa,
Wonderful work. There is a living "feel" to the portraits that is so hard to capture. The affectionate feeling in the eyes is great. Great work.

Lisa Ober · 11-10-2005, 10:27 PM

Claudemir, thank you so much! I have a strong preference NOT to paint teeth but the client insisted and truthfully, he looks better smiling and it is more fitting to his good personality. It means a lot that you like the teeth since I struggle with them and don't like painting them. Thank you.

Richard, what a pleasant surprise and such a nice compliment! Thank you so much for taking the time to look and to comment. Eyes are extremely important I think.

Molly Sherrick Phifer · 11-11-2005, 09:04 AM

Lisa,

You've done such a great job with these men! Having seen multiple photos of them, I'd recognize them anywhere. I can't get over the likeness you achieved on not one, but two portraits of each (the other being the multiple). You really have a great sense of which details to leave out (e.g. excess facial lines) and what to keep in. I can't get over the natural look of the paisley tie, for instance.

I completely agree with Richard about the expression in the eyes. Kindly, with a touch of humor. Super job!

Lisa Ober · 11-11-2005, 09:20 PM

Molly, you always have such a nice way of putting things. I really appreciate your encouragement and kind words. Those more "seasoned" folks are sometimes a bit difficult. A balance of the expression of their wisdom with a picture of health is hard to achieve. I hope I got close. Thanks so much!