Demo Drawing of Brittney

Charcoal on toned paper, 18 x 15 inches

I began this drawing as a demonstration for my portrait drawing class, then finished it later from a photograph. You can see me drawing the initial block-in below. I've also posted a photo of Brittney grinning. I wish I could have included her sunny grin in the drawing. But even Brittney, as good as she is at sitting still, simply couldn't sustain a grin during the entire demo.

"Brittney's Profile"

Oil on canvas panel, 15 x 12 inches

I painted this portrait using a limited palette of Yellow Ochre, Terra Rosa, Ivory Black and Titanium White. The canvas was toned a neutral gray and I used Burnt Umber for the block in.

As I've explained here before, these earthy versions of the primary colors are nearly the same as those used by Swedish painter Anders Leonard Zorn (1860-1920). But, instead of Terra Rosa, Zorn used Vermillion (or modern-day Cadmium Red). Other earthy reds like Venetian Red, English Red Light or Light Red Oxide work well, too.

Using this limited palette has its benefits. The muted color scheme creates color harmony and unity with no effort at all. It's also a good teaching tool, because beginning students can learn how to manipulate oil paint without the concern for exact color-matching. The subdued tones also help students recognize complimentary colors and strengthen their understanding of the color wheel.

I began this painting from life along with my portrait drawing class, then finished it from a photograph. You can see it in the beginning stages, along with a few students and our lovely model Brittney, in the photo posted below.

"Natural Curls"

Charcoal on toned paper, 15 x 12 inches

Here's another portrait drawing from over the holidays. Working with charcoal and white charcoal on toned paper is new for me and I really like the look. In January's ArtistChronicle eNewsletter I'll explain a little about how I begin these portrait drawings with a block-in of shadow shapes.

"Duane"

Charcoal on toned paper, 12.5 x 10 inches

Over the holidays I whiled away a few hours of family time drawing portraits from life. This one is of my brother. His wife took the iPhone photos which are posted below. She also outdid herself this year and treated us to really delicious meals and holiday goodies!

"Family Structure"

Oil on linen, 24 x 18 inches

This is the second and final painting that I completed for the community project, "BEHIND THE SEEN: Encounters with the Contemporary Family." The young boy is named, Collin, and his challenging behavior often takes center stage in his family. So, I've attempted to depict that dynamic through poses and composition.

There are a few things about this painting that are similar to, "Loving Sara," which is the other painting that I created for this project. First of all, because of this painting's design and subject matter, I used photo reference to complete it. Also, just like in the other painting, I've tried to convey Collin's animated and energetic personality through the way I applied paint to the canvas. Another similarity is that I've painted Collin twice to represent the two aspects of his behavior.

Both paintings are pictured below in the exhibition's current location at Holly Hill Mall in Burlington, NC. The exhibition features the work of 16 artists and will travel across North Carolina through May, 2013. For more information about the project and about other venues for the exhibition, visit www.BehindTheSeenArt.com.

"Loving Sara"

Oil on canvas, 24 x 30 inches

I completed this painting for a community project entitled, "BEHIND THE SEEN: Encounters with the Contemporary Family," which is using art and film as a medium to spread awareness and provide insight into the uniqueness of families with young children experiencing emotional and behavioral challenges. The exhibition will travel across North Carolina through May, 2013 and will host discussions and activities in each location. It's at Holly Hill Mall in Burlington, NC until the end of this month. For info about future locations visit www.BehindTheSeenArt.com. The trailer for a documentary about the project can be viewed at: http://vimeo.com/37288629.

The project brought together four Alamance County families and 16 artists. Each artist has had a few months to spend time with a family and then create a work of art based on insights garnered during that time. I worked with two families and so created another painting, as well. I'll share that one in a future post.

Sara's personality is animated and full of energy and I tried to convey that through poses and through the way I applied paint to the canvas. I painted her twice to represent the two aspects of her behavior.

Sara's mother has chosen to look past the inappropriate side of Sara's behavior, and instead, nurtures the more appropriate and positive aspects. I feel that affirming appropriate behavior, in this way, is essential. It is my hope that everyone, if confronted with a young child who has behavioral challenges, will make a similar choice and see that child through this loving mother's eyes.

Because of this painting's design and subject matter, I used photo reference in conjunction with a color study from life. A few images of the painting in progress are posted below. The grid that is partially painted on the canvas helped me get major shapes in the correct position. Once they were established, I then painted the same way I would from life.

Lastly, here's a picture of Sara and her mother standing beside the finished painting. Sara was adopted from Mexico.

"Amber"

Oil on linen, 12 x 11 inches

Here's another portrait sketch from life that I painted using a full color accurate block-in. The TV that Amber wanted on, while she posed, must have influenced the "noisy" way I painted this background.

Below is a photo that her mother took of the painting in progress. Amber sure looks bored, but considering that she's only ten, she endured the ordeal quite well!

"Girl in Pink" SOLD

 Oil on linen, 11 x 12 inches

As promised, here is a portrait sketch from life that I painted using a full color accurate block-in, which is the same method I used for my plein air paintings of this past summer. It was completed in about 5 hours. That doesn't include the breaks the model took every 20 minutes or so. This sitting still for a portrait stuff ain't easy - especially for a 12 year old!

Below are a couple of photos that her father took while I was painting. I guess I'm posting them to show that I achieved a likeness and to also prove that I really was there (insert smiley). She's wrapped up in a blanket because it's a bit chilly here in NC now that Fall is here.