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| If the kids aren't going to be around for moms day, paint them |
I can't think a better way to celebrate the Mothers Day weekend than by painting my sons. Living across the country as they do, I feel a bit like a shaman as their likenesses become more accurate. As I paint their noses, jaws, foreheads, they come closer to being here. I do love Stephen King--the story line would go like this: the more the artist paints the figure, the figure materializes. --Maybe I'd better reread Duma Key. I might have stolen this idea from my favorite thriller writer?
It's no wonder to me that there are so many portraiture books on skin tones; I'm working on them all the time. Skin tones ARE portraiture. Scumbling and glazes are key. Sizing the head/figure also has everything to do with getting a likeness and that too is a constant concern . One misplaced dab can throw a likeness off.
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| My Hibiscus that I wintered inside, gave me its first bloom for moms day. I'm just starting to harden it off so I can move it to the deck by the time my California son, the one in the middle, comes to visit. |
Happy Mother's Day Linda :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they'll love the painting :-)))
Thanks Agnes. It doesn't matter if they like the painting or not--most likely they probably won't. None of us like pictures of ourselves.
DeleteIt's me who must like the painting. It's going in the front hall.
Happy Mother's Day, Linda (ours was weeks ago).
ReplyDeleteDon't get the Oscar Wile's, "Portrait of Dorian Grey", by mistake!
I can see them emerging :0) Like the Hibiscus too.
Thanks John. The day usually just passes by with a trip to the cemetery to visit our moms and dads. Then we go to a late lunch after the people who still have little people running around the house have vacated the area. Sounds pathetic I know. I've never really like mothers day myself. It's forced upon us by merchants--much like Valentine's day and Sweetest Day and Secretaries Day. I do like Halloween though--and The Picture of Dorian Grey. You ought to read King's Dumas Key. There's a lot of his views on art in the book that I found interesting.
DeleteMy #2 son bought me a Father's Day (under pressure from Pat) He doesn't agree with these 'merchant' days. He didn't write in the card or even take it out of the paper bag. I gave it back to him, in the same state for his birthday; he returned it on mine. I gave it to him for Christmas and got it back on Fathers' Day ... this has gone on for 15 years - same card. We think it's a great idea! Pat despairs!
DeleteOn the question of skin tones :0) my latest 'offering' posted shows two human faces, no skin tone problems with them!!
I love the idea! Perfect. Pat has to look on the funny side. Too much is spent on greeting cards--I say cavalierly now. But. when I was dismantling my MIL's home after her passing, I did come across all the greeting cards we had ever given her tied up with ribbon. I always wrote a note. I reread them and was surprised to see what a loving DIL I had been. With her being gone, they made me feel good.
DeleteI'm going to your site as soon as I hang up here, but I suspect that there will be nothing in shades of gray that one needs to worry about skin tones. --Actually, I don't have to worry about skin tones either. None of you know my guys, so none of you would know whether the skins tones are right on or not. But I will.
Feliz día de la madre! En España lo celebramos el primer dommingo de mayo. El retrato es precioso. Una abrazo!
ReplyDeleteGracias Sonia. Un abrazo tardía espalda. Lo siento me perdí el Día de las Madres.\n\nEs muy divertido pintar sus propios hijos ya mayores. Estaba pensando en un título para el cuadro mientras yo estaba en la ducha esta mañana, veinte cuatro años de mi vida vino a la mente inmediatamente. LOL. Ellos son mi mejor obra de arte - y caminar y hablar!. Hazte a un lado de Miguel Ángel.
DeleteSorry Google translation didn't get Michelangelo.
Your portraits are always very intense emotions in these particular.
ReplyDeleteAuguri per la festa della mamma.
What can I tell you? I am crazy about my guys. They are beautiful men. I paint with love.
DeleteVery Stephen King, indeed, conjuring them up. Happy M's day and keep painting. It's looking good.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jean. This one is so much more fun than the last one. Without worries about the client's opinion, I am free to explore my idea of what portraiture is as well as the oil medium, which I've been away from so long. When I get up in the morning, I can't wait to get to the studio. Happy M day to you too.
DeleteWhat a wonderful way to celebrate being their mom:-) Wonderful portraits!
ReplyDeleteI just came back from your sites. You have quite a challenging portrait growing up in your yard. Those five beauties are going to make quite the painting. Don't put it off.
DeleteI see you painted your three sons with so much love...its beautiful, Linda!! Have a wonderful day tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you Hilda. Thank you for following and your very kind words. I was so impressed by your portraits of your daughter and new grandchild. The love spills out of that painting too--and all your other portraits of children. We have that in common. We share the joy of painting the young. Happy Mother's Day.
DeleteA beautiful painting! I admire your abilities. And, btw, I loved Duma Key - great book.
ReplyDeleteI am going to reread that book. I made the mistake of passing it on to someone and now I'd like to reread some parts. While it was a thriller, King's insight into making art was remarkable.
DeleteThanks Dan. After the kids. I had to do the KIDS. If portraiture is my niche, one has to do a few to discover the approach that satisfies. Though this one was a set up of sorts, I like candid shots best. --Though I'm sure that painting a presidential Romney or Obama in suits and ties might be more lucrative, formal portraiture , pompous portraiture, pleasures neither the artist or the viewer. I always walk really fast through those galleries at the museum.
Oh, forgot, happy mothers day!
ReplyDeleteThanks. It's just another great day I'll be spending at my easel with my guys. My middle guy still is not himself. I've got to put a smile on that face.
DeleteWish you a happy Mother's day, your portrait is coming along beautifully .
ReplyDeleteYou too Jane. It's coming a lot faster than the first portrait. I feel in charge.
DeleteLinda, your sons are coming to life right before our eyes! I truly love this portrait. Can't wait to see how you finish it. And a most Happy Mothers Day to you!!!
ReplyDeleteYou too Kathryn. After champagne for breakfast, wine at lunch, I'm headed for the couch and an old movie. Ichabod Crane, on the left, will have to wait for his smile; Jon will have to wait to lose weight; Steve will have to wait till tomorrow for me to clean his glasses. It's been a lovely day.
Deletenow that's a challenge linda ..looking good..you'll have to paint 3 versions ..i have 3 brothers ..happy mothers day
ReplyDeleteThis one's for me Jane. Probably to satisfy a leftover tidbit of empty nest remorse? Art is magical for those who make it. Having my portraits of grandkids around the fireplace and this one soon to be in the front hall reminds me of those twenty four years of momdom when often I couldn't wait for them to fly the coop, but then cried when they did. Happy Mother's Day to you too Jane.
DeleteAwesome portrait Linda!
ReplyDelete