Wednesday 4 May 2011

Portrait practise

Mollie kindly let we Painting Friends use one of her photos to practise painting child portraits.
So off I gaily went and this was the first effort I showed the friends:


after a few suggestions on how I could make a few changes to bring her more to life and have more shape and form on her face, I came up with this:



I'm quite happy with the changes and I'm grateful for the help this novice receives!

24 comments:

  1. Not knowing anything, I would have liked the first one just fine, but looking at the second she looks softer. Cute!

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  2. Very nice portrait Pat. Great job.

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  3. It's very good, Pat. Portraits can be tough. Those subtle little shadows can make or break them. Good job!

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  4. Well done Pat! She has such a sweet expression. :)

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  5. Dear Pat,
    The child is nicely done. Just go on. Have fun.
    I always think nothing, when I sketch people or make portraits. (*once think, always I make a mess...)
    Cheers, Sadami

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  6. Pat was adorable!
    I find it very difficult to paint portraits, never daring to make one.
    Congratulations.

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  7. This is absolutely gorgeous! Such a pretty child! :0)

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  8. What a lovely portrait! I agree, the changes make her face come alive!

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  9. Looks great, Pat and I agree the changes are good! You won't get any help from me- I am terrified of portraits for some reason, and need to work on that!

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  10. You ought to be really proud of this, Pat. It's really difficult to get the facial proportions correct on a child portrait but I think you have got it just right on this one.

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  11. Pat, you should be really proud of this! I think it's really difficult to get the proportions right on a child portrait but you've got them just perfect on this.

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  12. it's wonderful. You may be a novice but you do excellent work. I could never paint anything that looked even half that good

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  13. Thanks Tonya. I was in the same boat, which is why I needed to ask someone else, what can I do to improve? :)

    Thanks, Dors. It is nice, but not yet great. I'll get there :)

    Thank you Teresa. They can indeed be tough and small changes make a big difference xx

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  14. She does have a sweet expression, Crystal - but she has a need of more light in her, especially her hair. I need to sit next to you and watch how you manage it :) xx

    Oh Sadami, Love your heart! If I didn't think, I would make a mess at this point in my development. Only one as accomplished as you can detach their mind and just be . *hugs* xx

    Thanks, Nil. They are difficult, but I like a challenge :) xx

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  15. Thank you, Sandra. She is pretty :) xx

    Thanks, Judy. I think so too :) xx

    Thanks Sheryl. Your encouragement is greatly appreciated xx

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  16. Thanks Michael! Forgot to delete one of your comments, but then, perhaps I needed to hear it twice - as I can be very critical of my own work!

    Thanks, Ann. I am a novice, no doubt of it. Go look at someone like Crystal and you will see... I am just beginning. How I start is by not thinking of the person as a person, just this shape and that - and then a portrait is not as intimidating :) xx

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  17. Portraits are always intimidating fo a landscape painter like me. You have to get the proportions just right. And a child's portrait is even more difficult. And needless to say you have done a good job.

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  18. What a lovely expression, I love it! xoxo

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  19. Thank you Prabal. You're very kind xx

    Thanks Cristina :) xx

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  20. In a word, Pat...precious~~~

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  21. Pat,para mí es super dificil hacer retratos,yo creo que es de lo más trabajoso,ya que hay que imprimir en el los gestos,la luz,la mirada ,el pelo con sus movimientos.....Pero viendo este he disfrutado muchísimo.La niña parece tener vida en tus manos.
    Felicidades una vez más.
    Besitos.

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  22. The sweet expression of innocence. Beautiful portrait. xx

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  23. This is adorable Pat! Hope you ahve been well.

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  24. thanks everyone .. I'm glad you like the portrait :)

    and Arty, I've been busy, but fine - how about you? xx

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