Monday, December 21, 2009

STILL MY FRIEND (SO FAR): PORTRAIT OF TERESA


Yes, I am still struggling with a portrait I want to do of my friend, Teresa. I admire those who do portraits - especially as commissions! What pressure there must be to get it right - and how easy it is to get it wrong. One millimeter off on the nose, the mouth, an eye, the width of the forehead - and it's wrong!
This is on all media artboard (from Cheap Joe's, I think) that I gessoed over - so the surface is pretty slick and unforgiving, of course - why would I want to make it easy on myself?!?
She is holding her hair back to see how she looks with a shorter do. I like the intensity in the eye and covering the other eye with the hair completely (a la Veronica Lake although she's too young to know that reference). I was going to work more on it to cover up the dark lines from the graphite I got too dark - but Teresa said to let the lines be part of the artwork. Easier than trying to work too dark on the skintones so I'm calling that a great idea.
It's not done but it's getting there...
And I'm still busy making little paintings for the give-away to come the last week of December so don't forget to get in on that when it begins on the 27th.
And today the weather held (nothing horrid out there) so I get to visit Sandy Maudlin and paint with her a while - and see what she's been doing lately.

6 comments:

Cindi said...

hey will be watching with interest.. going to figure these portraits someday and youve got a great start here!! it sounds like a wonderful friend who is enjoying the process too..

im so jealous of all of you painting together!! will have to really get busy and plan so i can join you, when i come back to ohio to visit relatives..
enjoy your holidays!

RH Carpenter said...

Cindi, if you come close to the Cincinnati area, zip me an email and let me know when you're coming - we'll work something out!

Suzanne McDermott said...

Enjoy your visit with Sandy. A good way to bring in light for the new year!

Teresa Palomar Lois said...

Still your friend and loving the portrait so far!!! I love the textures and colors and still can't understan how on earth you can work on that gessoed surface lol!
Happy holidays!!! *smoochies*

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Brave girl Rhonda to tackle an portrait and one of a friend. You certainly seem to know what you are doing and its coming on a treat. As you know, I tackled a dog recently but never a person portrait and someone I know well.

RH Carpenter said...

Suzanne, I did have a good time and we two talked about lots of things - and art, too, of course :)
Glad you haven't given up yet, Teresa - it may be done by Wise Kings Day?!?
Joan, like doggies, we humans sometimes "bite off more than we can chew" and that seems to be the case here but I'm determined...and that may help me get this one right in the end. Right now it's horrid looking so I won't share until I've worked it a bit more!