Zarrella Portrait

I have a new portrait to paint now.  Generally, I am building a portfolio of florals and landscape paintings but I also get requests to paint portraits.  Whenever a portrait opportunity comes along I drop everything and get to work on it right away.  This portrait is of a dear family friend who recently passed away.  He was a steady and occasionally stern fellow who provided for his family well and had a love of the out doors.  I am grateful to have been a friend and aim to paint a fitting heirloom portrait.  

Alright, new picture, "Lily Curls" 28x28 inches oil on canvas, $500.00 plus shipping.  This one continues the sepia tone series but I expanded the palette and value range.  This one has rich purple blacks warm shadows and gold lights.  I like where it's going but I prefer the semi matte finish of the previous 4 in the series.  No matter, I can varnish this to match the others. Something valuable was learned on this one and I now wish to optimize my process to obtain the successes of this one and combine them with the successes of the previous 4.  An exciting challenge!  

New Painting today. This one goes with the White Flowers in Sepia series. Untitled thus far, 28 x 35"oil on canvas $500.00 + shipping

Madonna Lilies in Sepia tones

New Painting today  "Madonna Lilies in Sepia Tones"
28 x 34" oil on canvas  $500.00

This is 3rd in my series of white flowers done in sepia tones.

A Commissioned Portrait

For the last few weeks I have been hard at work on a portrait commission.  Apparently, someone at a local frame shop recommended me. Luckily, I had a few paintings in the gallery and the referring framer and the client were able to gauge whether or not I was up to the task.  When I delivered his portrait of himself and his wife the client said he "thought it better than he could have ever imagined".  I was worried it was not up to the task and now realize a few things I was not aware of before.  One such thing is that technical matters are actually very trivial in the real sense- what is far more important is the vision, resolve and expression. Perhaps I already knew that.....?  In about 6 months I will contact the client and offer to varnish the painting thus bringing it to it's final appearance.  At that time perhaps he may have noticed some little tweaks for me to attend to and I will be happy to address them.  A portrait is a serious thing and as a painter I stand by my work for as long as I am able.  Kinda cool in that I was not aware of such a commitment option in the past. I kinda thought, "when it leaves the door that's the end of it".  That does not have to be the case and it is probably better for the artist that he take the attitude I have.   

New Painting.
"Two"
Oil on Canvas
28 inches by 35 inches
$500.00

I had a bit of a delay in completing this one.  Still here it is.  On to the next one.  In the coming weeks I may find that I want to tweak a picture or learn something new that I could incorporate.  Will have no hesitation in doing so.  Working in a deliberate fashion affords some good artistic advantages.   

Started a new painting

Began a new painting yesterday.  It will be another 28 x 35" canvas and also a floral theme.  Actually, it can serve as a 2nd in a series of sepia toned floral closeups in a 4x5 shape ratio.  Disorganized studio is slowing me down.  These new paintings are larger than I planned for storage wise.  I guess I will first take up all available wall space and then.... construct a rack.