November Challenges

November was a month of challenges!  The trees were fantastic in their fall colors.  And Day of the Dead celebrations were not just at church!  Although I did attend mass for All Souls Day.

My friend Susan Rose put out a challenge to paint this photograph she took in the Flint Hills of KS near her house.  

We were invited to a Dios de Muertos party last weekend.  I decided to go all out and paint my face 'a la Day of the Dead'.  It was a blast, and I had lots of compliments on my face painting!  I had on a cute black hat too.

Another challenge by Greg Summers.  Paint what you see within 50 ft of your front door.  The Airstream was just waiting for this opportunity!

Brian Flowers does Civil War Reenactments and this was from a photo he posted.

Here is my painting from Susan's photo.  It is a tiny 6" square.

Thursday evening portrait session

This model was actually a previous student of Debbie's.  She didn't make it that evening to paint with us unfortunately.  He was a good model, with that hat turned backward!  He said he was going to shave of the beard the next day.  I suppose we can have him again, and it will be like a different model.

His tattoo was challenging to paint.  I nearly omitted it, but decided to give it a try on the second painting.  I need to slow down and learn to have patience.

Rachel's painting with Tina in the background.

Rachel overlooking Tina

Adam's

Andea's

Peggy's second

Peggy's first

Week one at Andrea and Adams Thursday night portrait session

Bo was our first model.  He is a good friend of the Clagues.  He was a great model.  Very nice looking guy with great features.  8 of us painted.  Here are a few shots from the evening.

Andrea's work

Tina begins with an eye!  

 Tina Garrett

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My work blocked in.

Week four was a treat because I had a former student, Erin, modeling for us.  She is a beauty, and did a wonderful job modeling.  When I got home I decided to do a second one from a photograph I took.  I think I like it better.  I will give her one of them.  Behind the paintings you see a photo I took of Andrea painting.  She is stunning and has great facal structure.  I have tried two paintings of her.  Not happy with either one.  I'll try a third.

Debbie at a private paint out on a golf course.

Erin, giving me 'the look'.  :)

Interesting that Adam was working on an old canvas.  I kind of  liked the painting he was painting over!  But it looked very strange in this stage.  

and stranger....

Mark Andersons sketch

Andrea's work

My painting.

Adam's work

Andrea captured her in this one.

Week Three with the portrait painters.  This model was a friend of Debbie's.  Actually a former student! He seemed a little nervous and tense.  Modeling is actually not easy.  One has to really concentrate on holding perfectly still with the same look for 2 1/2 hours.  Breaks every 20 mins.  But it is really a hard job!  Try sitting like this for 10 mins. without moving!  

Debbies blocking in with her underpainting.  Well actually she is taking a break!   

my painting, starting to add color on the underpainting.  I figure, why not fill the whole area with this guys head?  Less negative space to worry about!  ha

Andrea's

It is wild to watch Andre's progression as she paints.

Andrea

Adam's

Ken's

Ken's wifes

Week Two for the portrait session.

Our model didn't show up, so Eileen called her husband to come over and model.  Lucky for us, he was a great guy, willing to just listen to the Thursday night football game with the Kansas City Chiefs on the radio!
Here are some photos from the evening.

Adam's work.  

Andrea's work

This is my painting from the evening.  

Work from today, Tina's approach

I need to back up and post from 3 weeks ago, or further.  I joined a group of painters that hire a model every Thurs. evening and paint for 2 1/2 hours.  It's a blast.  These particular paintings are from a photo I took of one of the painters!  She has great chiseled features, and makes for a great model.

They were done 3 days apart.  I realize the one on the right has the eye to high.  Pooh.  I like parts of each one.  I guess I need to try again.  The one on the left was started with a wash of ultramarine blue and burnt sienna.  Thus, complexion is very dark. I did a complete value painting first.  Then while it was still wet, I added color.  And lost my lights.  The one on the right, I started a 100% different approach.  I watched Tina Garrett paint and she uses a Richard Schmid approach, starting in one small area and working out from there.  So the eye was the first thing I painted....on totally white canvas.  And the board is a homemade job, and slick as a gut!  Not so good.  Not making excuses, but the surface sucked.  From the eye and painted the negative area around the profile.  I couldn't stand not having more information!  It's tricky.  I need to take a workshop with Tina!