Monday, 30 November 2009

Portrait Of Glenn



Once again it is time for the annual Christmas portrait swap at WetCanvas.
Glenn has been my partner and here is my portrait of him. This is oils on canvas, to see all the fun we have at the portrait swap you can view them here www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=591284

Monday, 16 November 2009

All Finished

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Lady Steampunk, she is quite a character, and has the most gorgeous set of dreadlocks I have seen. Actually I am sure they are a wig, but no matter, she still looks beautiful!!



This lady has some great reference photos, and she has an array of costume. I am looking forwards to painting more !!



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Thursday, 12 November 2009

Lady Steampunk, work in progress

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This gorgeous lady is painted from a stock photo by Mizzd-stock from Deviant Art.
It is an oil on 18x24" canvas, which is a lovely size for this painting.
She is still in the process of being finished, and I am having a wonderful time painting her, as quirky as she is, I love it!!
Lots left to do though, her corset and top as well as gloves. Background and lower half of painting.

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Saturday, 17 October 2009

Updates On Ted



Had a wonderful day today with just myself and my paints, the kids were with Nanna, Yeah!! So I took advantage of this time to finish Ted. I mainly wanted to correct the tonal values and temperatures in his face , he was way too warm. I also was aiming to change the colours I had blocked in for his shirt and the background.


Sometimes I need to paint the portrait more to figure out the colours of the background. I like to incorporate the skin tones as well as colours in the clothing into a background. I find this does give the portrait a harmonious finish.

Saturday, 10 October 2009

Painting Ted


Today I spent my time painting Ted, mainly trying to paint spontaniously . He is rather colourful, as my camera has saturated the image compared to real life.
I do plan to do more on this after it dries.

Ted was a fighter pilot in the second world war. He flew Kittyhawks and Spitfires in many battles, was shot down three times, and experienced many terrible conditions that war brings. I am honoured to know and paint Ted, a real champion!!!! he is 91!!!

Monday, 21 September 2009

Portrait Of Leigh




Today I really enjoyed just spending the day painting.


Much needed therapy to stop me from going crazy, lol...

Finished, I think !

This is Leigh, a fellow artist friend from Wetcanvas, now and then we have portrait swaps where we paint each other.


Oils

11x14"

gesso canvas paper.



Saturday, 5 September 2009

Let The Water Flow....


Watercolours are always fun, this was a relaxing exercise in painting flowy roses. Just letting the water and paint mix to create colours and shapes.
Sitting here painting with beautiful music and the sound of the spring birds outside, very relaxing :)

Tuesday, 18 August 2009

Crazy Old rusty Relics, LOL...


My dad is a member of the Vintage car Club, being an old relic car owner himself ( the car is the old relic, not dad, lol ) Each year the club has a rally where dad volunteers my time to paint a picture to raffle. It is a great idea as all the proceeds go to a nominated charity.

This is the painting , beautiful old jallopies under the gum trees, resting so peacefully .



This is my son Elijah in dads 1948 Bedford, which he took 2 years restoring. Now he has a 1928 Buick, in desperate need of some TLC, which dad lovingly gives each day in the shed. I am looking forwards to going for a drive in the Buick :) ...

In The garden


Jasmine my daughter took this gorgeous photo of the sugar snap peas growing in the back yard. They are climbing up the back fence and loaded with yummy peas.
I think she took a great pic, with the warm winter sunshine and blue cloudy sky.

Wednesday, 12 August 2009

Finn



Meet Finn, a cute Aussie kid with the most gorgeous curly red hair...
This is a commissioned portrait painted in pastels. It was really enjoyable getting the pastels out again to do this portrait.
Next I have his brother to do, another cute Aussie kid :)

Thursday, 9 July 2009

" Red Wool Cloche " self portrait



One of my favourite things to wear, especially on a cold winter day is my wool cloche. I love the 1920's flapper style, with gorgeous art deco prints.
I was rather nostalgic and dreamy painting this one :)
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Oils on canvas
12x16 inches.
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Monday, 22 June 2009

Now For something Completely Different :)



This is Ursula, a cute pomeranian. A commissioned pastel painting of a much loved doggie ...

It has been ages since I have done a dog portrait, and ages since I have had my fingers in the pastels. Don't say I miss the pastels :)

Now .... lets get my oil paints out!!!

Saturday, 6 June 2009

Cutie Patootie :)


Jasmine, my gorgeous daughter.
I took a photo of Jas last winter and have
always wanted to paint it, now after some time I
have managed to :)
Here she is looking very peaceful and relaxed,
Just how we love our kids :)


Painted with oils on stretched canvas,


40x30 cms.















Sunday, 17 May 2009

Portraits from life - A wonderful Experience!


Last Friday I visited the local retirement village to spend time with some of the residence. I took my pastel pencils, canson drawing paper, and had a really lovely time .




This lady to our left is Melva. She was so happy to have her portrait drawn, she even slipped away before hand to put some lippy on :)




Using a soft grey Canson paper, indian red pastel pencil for the darks and a white for highlights.



Joycie was all comfy near the warmth of the window reading her book, her face moving from left to right with each page she read.


I chatted with her about the story she was reading and about her life as I sat and drew her portrait.


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Mary is such a sweet lady with warm eyes and a big smile. As I started to draw her she told me she was very tired and might not be able to stay away. "That's fine" I told her as I had a smile to myself at how gorgeous these ladies are.
I love this drawing of Mary, it captures so much character , a beautiful lady...


I look forwards to my Friday afternoons with the residence from the Nursing home. They tell me there are 50 all together and they all want a portrait done :) So I am in for a lots of drawing practise and some great conversation with people who we should spend time with a whole lot more!!!
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Tuesday, 12 May 2009

Johnny


This is Johnny, a fellow portrait artist who is from brentwood , TN, USA.

He and I have done a portrait swap!
Johnny had finished mine earlier in the year, so it was about time I started his portrait.
Portrait swaps are great fun, and you end up with a portrait of yourself :)

Johnnys Website
This is an oil 12x16" painted on a canvas covered board. I tried a new palette for the skin tones and am really happy with how this is turning out!

My palette for the skin tones ;
Cad Red, Burnt Sienna, Prussian Blue , Raw Umber, Titanium White, Italian Pink and small amounts of Alizarin Crimson and Terre Verte.