Wednesday 16 March 2011

The Cowgirl Series .. Cowgirl I: Pride of Texas

On the Painting Friends forum, we are currently having a portrait challenge.
Its such fun being in a community of painters and having challenges set. They're not compulsory of course, but joining in is, I find, a great way to stretch your capabilities.
In this one, we were given a picture of a tailor's dummy and asked to make her into a portrait. First picture is the dummy  - in case you can't tell :)
The painting is named Pride of Texas, because if you look very closely at the cheek in shadow, there's a star in there. A happy watercolour accident! 

I was so entranced by this painting, I decided to try it again - and again - using different techniques. So don't be surprised when you see more Cowgirls popping up on my blog :) 

Dummy



Cowgirl I :Pride of Texas

31 comments:

  1. Nice work Pat. It's so much fun belonging to a forum. I was in one that was like that with challenges etc. The owner closed it down due to illness.

    Keep up the good work. How's the studio going.

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  2. What a shame that it closed, Dors. :(
    Could you not start a similar one for pencil artists? or even a challenge blog? I know I would miss Painting Friends terribly if it went!

    Glad you like the cowgirl - and the studio is lovely.. went back in about a week ago..spring is arriving here!

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  3. Lovely proportions in the portraits. I always struggle with proportions. And the colors are very light and airy too. Nice work.

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  4. Hello Pat! spring is a perfect time to paint outdoors, I imagine you must have lovely places to go. Your cowgirl is so nice, ligths and shadows very well placed, very good work. Hugs from Anamaria

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  5. very nice painting. I like things like this and seeing the wide variety of approaches that people will take.

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  6. I like the cowgirl!
    What a good idea that painting forum!

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  7. Thank you, Prabal, Anamaria, Ann and Judy.
    Glad you all like her. I wanted to improve on portraits .. they were a nemesis for me, so this was a great exercise!

    Judy, the forum has a link on the right of my blog - there are members from all over the world - and Friends are always welcome! xx

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  8. Pat, I love this! Love how you captured the shadow and light, your cowgirl is quite beautiful!

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  9. I like your cowgirl, Pat. Very nice colors and shadows. You have remebered me that few years ago, I took a picture of a cowgirl in New York, I should find this photo and check whether could be a nice subject or not. Ciao!!

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  10. Pat, I love your painting! You gave that "dummy" warmth and life in your painting...

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  11. I like her! I think you are doing well in your exercises of painting portraits. I look forward to seeing your other cowgirls and the other techniques you used.

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  12. Painting Friends is indeed a great friendly forum! Your portrait is excellent! You are talented, Pat.

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  13. Thanks Maria and Tito.. glad you liked her and her shadows! :)
    Tito, you'll have to find that photo - we could see who is quicker on the draw!

    Thank you Jan - glad you think I managed to make her feel alive!

    Thanks, Tonya - I'm having a lot of fun!

    thank you so much Christiane.. I toodle along in my own little fashion.. but when someone as proficient as you says I have talent, the compliment is a great one!

    and I just love Painting Friends.. such a welcoming, happy place xx

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  14. Beautiful, Pat! I love the colors and strong shadow- you really brought her to life!
    Sheryl

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  15. What a great idea! And you have done a brilliant job too - I like the striking lipstick :0D

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  16. Thanks, Sandra.. glad you think I've done a brilliant job! xx

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  17. Love the cowgirl Pat. Very effective. xx

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  18. She has come alive in your painting Pat.. Great work..
    Thank you for your kind words. Happy you enjoyed the bunny painting.
    Blessings,
    Penny

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  19. Thanks Penny xx
    and thank you , Ann xx

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  20. Well done Pat, I really do think I should join the forum, it has certainly provoked you into trying different subjects.

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  21. Its a very friendly forum - lots of challenges, but you only do what you want. Like my old squash coach used to say, "you only get out of the game what you put in!"
    I'm glad you like my cowgirl xx

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  22. Your cowgirl is lovely. I like how you made her color livelier.

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  23. WonderfulWorkGoodCreations:)

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  24. Complimenti, bello questo acquerello, luci e ombre sono meravigliose. Brava. Ciao ciao.

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  25. She's beautiful. I told you, you are a great

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  26. Nice job Pat! It's as if a live person sat for this portrait.

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  27. Oh Pat i just read about Missy,she is soooo cute.

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