The Blue Pig Gallery is doing a portrait exhibit in January and February. Gallery artists were given a local personality to paint. The person I was paired with is deceased, or I would have gone and taken my own photos to paint from. However, his wife gave me an old photo to work from which is her favorite image of him. It is from WWII, and is a pretty dark photo. I figure that painting a person's widow's favorite picture is quite difficult, at best. So I have just decided to paint it loosely; make it look like a 'painting,' rather than a painted copy of a photograph, and to not allow myself to stress over it. It is not a commission, so there is not that added pressure to please someone who will be having to put out money for it. Anyway, I did an underpainting in about an hour, then put in about another hour today, and I think I'm about ready to let it dry and see if it's 'done enough.' It's not large or small, at 12"x 16". I do think it captures the fun-loving expression his wife loves about the photo, at least.
2 comments:
I think you've done a wonderful job, capturing something ephemeral in his expression, in the lighting... I marvel at how well you 'simplified' in order to step away from copying a photograph. That is what makes this uniquely yours.. I love it!
It is an expressive face that makes me smile. I'm impressed with your ability to put yourself in a place to create it. You were definitely given a difficult task! I love it and hope she will be pleased.
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