Gary Everest has been doing some outstanding portraits, working hard to get into a zone; his search continues and I'm enjoying seeing his work. I know he's close to making a major breakthrough - how amazing will that be? I was so inspired by his work ethic and his struggle that I wanted to try some of my own.
The outcome is not a pretty picture, but a pretty picture was not the goal.
The Pressure of Another Day
11" x 15" watercolor on Arches 140# cold press paper
You Are Not Pretty When You Cry
11" x 15" watercolor on Arches 140# cold press paper
This one was done from a sketch I did a long time ago. (Not me - I definitely don't have those beestung lips!)
11 comments:
Maybe not what would be considered 'pretty', but it's a very striking portrait with a lot of feel to it. I like the dark colors and the low crop. My first thought was that it looks like you're feeling 'buried' by all these portrait challenges. (ha - glad my basic college level psychology class hasn't gone to waste.) :P
I really like the first one. It's so moody! I like the darkness.
You are so skilled at such a variety of subjects!
Very strong works, transfer a lot of energy into the world. And the background of the first portrait adds so much interest. As soon as we do not care about the result, we succeed. Me, for sure.
My goal wasn't to make it pretty - just the opposite, Lisa, so I think I succeeded there. I have seen a few paintings lately with that low crop of the portrait and lots of space on the top, pressing down. I liked it and wanted to try one of my own.
Thanks, Prabha and Rachel. Rachel, I don't think I'm skilled at any of the subjects yet but I hope to be someday!
Irina, it is hard for me to not care a lot when I start and then lose that caring as I go along, often not finishing these latest works. Maybe I should wait for something to really move me?
There is a wistfulness about the first one that appeals to me while the second one has rather a questioning or challenging expression. Not realism but lots of impact, Rhonda. Like that!
Thanks, Ann. Glad you enjoyed them.
Hey, Lisa, I just read that psych majors who graduate with only a BA or BS in Psych are the least happy in their jobs - why? Because they are doing something besides psychology (I, too, got my bachelor's in psych - I liked it but didn't want to go farther with it).
Rhonda, you seem to tackle any subject with such enthusiasm it spills over into your work. I haven't done portraiture in some 30 years and would be quite scared to post anything I tried now!! Do admire the colours you used in both pieces - they both have such originality with wonderful contrasts.
Hi Rhonda,
Well! Who'da thunk! Thanks for the public pump-up and kind words. I agree that something is going on with my painting, just hope it keeps going. Exploration is exhilarating, indeed!
And, I couldn't be more proud of you for painting these two portraits. I hope they're just the beginning!
Brava, Rhonda!
Gary.
Joan, it definitely takes something I'm missing right now to do a good - and accurate - portrait. But that's what I'm trying to learn...slowly each week and each week's efforts must bring me closer to that goal (I hope).
Gary, you are amazing - such work and such breaking out of the box and all with your portraits. You are inspired by Harry but you're finding your own voice and it's sounding right on key. It's fun to spread those wings and find out we can FLY!!! I'm glad you keep watching my fumbles and tumbles and keep returning to see what I'm up to next :)
This painting evokes such a dark and moody feeling. The emotion truly shows through the piece.
Thanks, Gretchen. I hope to show more emotion in my paintings as I grow.
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