Author mayhewjnm

Portrait lesson II

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She’s moved towards looking more life-like! We worked on shadows on the face and neck, the hair and the background. There is so much good information; the time is extremely enjoyable and just flies by!

One change I’ve made, following Kari’s example, is to start using a vertical palette. This is so the painting and the palette are seen in the same light, and to bring the paint colors closer to be judged more accurately. My vertical palette is actually just my horizontal Masterson palette mounted on an easel. The glass mixing plate is held in place by magnets; the magnets under the glass are glued to the palette. I like using it this way.

Lessons with Kari Rajkumar, Spring 2019

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I’ve had the great pleasure of having four lessons with Kari Rajkumar, from Paris IL, this spring (Feb, March, May and June). She is an accomplished artist in oil portraits. I first saw her paintings on display in Terre Haute last fall and knew right away that I’d like to learn from her.

We decided to delay starting lessons until after Christmas. It worked out best for her to come to my home, which was very convenient for me! We worked on a copy of a portrait by John Singer Sargent, each working on our own painting. She instructed and described processes as we went along in the 3 hour lessons.

I learnt so much great information about oil paintings and portraits in particular. I also benefitted from applying those to my other paintings, which Kari would then critique for me. That was really helpful.

This was the progress after the first lesson. The lesson was mainly about facial structure, lighting and skin tones. Rather a ghostly look!

Swinging

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Oil on canvas panel, 8 x 10

From a photograph I took of a granddaughter, last summer, swinging at my house. As soon as they arrive, they like to run out to the swing and then it’s so easy to capture happy faces! The opposing colors of the fence and grass were actually like that, but I exaggerated them as they picture her ‘all on’ or ‘all off’ personality. I like the way her hair blows back in the swinging breeze.

Baby in the woods

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Oil on canvas panel, 8 x 10

My daughter-in-law suggested that I paint something for my son’s birthday and sent me a photo of their youngest daughter to work from. I thought it was a lovely expression, a fun pose and a great background. It came together really well and the result makes us all smile.

It’s still in my possession, but I will give it to my son when he moves to a new house in the summer.

 

Sleeping 1, caught unawares

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9 x 12, acrylic on board

This is a one hour study from a photo. I love sleeping pictures because they are so unposed and the person is very relaxed. This daughter, though, thinks that it’s unfair to catch her without her knowledge, and I can understand her feeling of vulnerability. However, I still like sleeping pictures.

It was fun to see it come together as I placed the colors and values. I concentrated on her face; if I’d allowed myself more time, I would have changed the shadow on her arm, and worked on the fabric of her dress a bit more.

 

Oxford I

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Acrylic on canvas paper, 9 x 12

This is another boating picture, this time in a punt on the River Cherwell in Oxford, England, from the summer of 2018.

I toned the canvas with Cadmium Red and Cadmium Yellow Medium, using my blade to spread it. I like to leave areas of it showing through, as in parts of the boat.

It’s such a peaceful activity in a very beautiful city.

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Oil, 9 x 12

Then I tried another version in oils, again with the same acrylic red and yellow underpainting. I like some of the effects, but the faces are indistinct, and the oils seemed to become too thick. I have more to try yet!

 

 

 

 

Katherine

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Oil, 8 x 10, linen on board

I painted this portrait of my youngest daughter from a photograph that I took in the spring of 2016. The photo was taken in a cafe in Chicago, after our we had  just enjoyed a very good family trip to the Adler Planetarium. I think she had a special drink here, which is one reason for the pleased look on her face. I think she also looks calm and dreamy-maybe tired!

I painted this after watching videos by Matt Philleo  www.realisticacrylic.com although I did not completely follow his methods. He gives good information and teaching on painting very realistic portraits in acrylic, which were helpful and useful, but I decided to use oils in a slightly looser manner.

The result makes me smile inside.

 

Ready to Go

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Acrylic, 9 x 12

Another kayaking adventure painting! This one was from a family trip to Chattanooga, TN. We camped at Harrison Bay State Park, and were fortunate enough to camp close enough to the water that we could easily walk to this launch site. We had some good trips out on Harrison Bay, part of the Tennessee River.

Rest Stop

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Acrylic, 9 x 12

I love painting trees and water with the Princeton Catalyst blades! Again, here I like the contrast of the bright colors of the kayaks and clothing with the peaceful setting of Racoon Lake, Indiana.