Painting Children

"Ainsley" - In Progress 

Oil on Canvas, 6" Sq., c. Catherine Vines

   

I took this photo at a birthday picnic for a neighbor. Doesn't she look like a happy child? And it wasn't even her birthday!

I'm trying to move my way down from such high key paintings. And she has some beautiful hair to paint.

Painting Babies

"Pretty in Pink"

Oil on Canvas, 6" sq., c. Catherine Vines

   

When I started this painting I was concerned about my subject. She wasn't really chubby enough to have great wrinkles and shadows, just subtle coloring and generic "beautiful-baby-ness."

But the challenge grew as I realized the uniqueness of her expression. Not quite sure of what was happening, Not quite ready to cry. Just ... perturbed.

Perhaps the problem all along was that I wasn't looking closely enough.

Painting at Night

"Pretty in Pink" - In Progress  

Oil on Canvas, 6" sq., c. Catherine Vines

   

I usually have an additional painting session at night, mainly to accomodate my working style - bursts of activity followed by ... who knows? 

With this painting, I was very pleased when I went to bed. But when I looked at her this morning, she was so high key I could barely get a photo.

What I thought was delicacy at night turned out to be washed out in the light of day.

More Painting Little Boys

"Neal: I Can't Believe It!"

Oil on Canvas, 6" sq., c. Catherine Vines

   

Or one special little boy. 

Wouldn't you love to know what he was looking at? Unfortunately I was more interested in getting his photograph that looking to see what so entranced him.

Interestingly enough, having painted him once did not make the second picture easier. It sees as if it would have been just the opposite.

Mixing a New Color Palette

"Color Palette III"

   

I liked the range of paints in my last portrait, so based on them I have created a new palette of skin tones, highlights and shadows.  I will add color choices for reflected light depending upon the situation.

As you can see, this is a hard subject to photograph.

On the other hand, I am so lucky to live in a neighborhood with a lot of willing models!

Painting Little Boys

"Neal"

Oil on Canvas, 6" sq., c. Catherine Vines

   

I loved painting this little boy. In fact, the longer I painted the more I fell in love.

There were some new challenges to this painting.  His ear was actually translucent, something I need to work on. And painting whites - now there's a new challenge.

For another day.

Adding Cools to Flesh Tones

"Neal" - In Progress 

Oil on Canvas, 6" sq., c. Catherine Vines

   

This is another attempt at trying to use cools - other than - alizarin.

This little guy is such a cutie; I have two more photos to paint. And yes, that ear really is true to life.  

Wait until you see his hair!