Wednesday 4 April 2012

Oil painting update

Hi everyone, it's time for an oil painting update.  It's been rather a long time since the last one mainly because I have been incredibly frustrated with my progress.  You may remember I am working on a portrait, the same model/lady from the previous portrait I completed.  The angle of the face is completely different and oh so difficult to paint.  I have repainted the shape of her face three times trying to get the proportions and shape right.  Just when I thought it was o.k., yep, the teacher reworked it.

I have decided that my teacher and I see things very differently when it comes to shapes, proportions and even colour.  I do know that my first three attempts were less than perfect but I'm afraid my teachers reworking looked hideous.  I have discovered that I paint so much better at home in my own time at my own pace.  As it is school holidays, painting and yoga classes are taking a break, so I thought this would be the perfect time to get my canvas, brushes and paints out to see what would happen.

I have reworked the face once more and here she is with part of her face painted.

Now a close up of her face.

I worked on the painting a little more today.

And another close up.

You can see that I've worked more on the hair (not finished yet), the eyes, nose, mouth, lights and darks to form shadows and shapes.  Still have that ear to tackle.  My lady has a poutier mouth and smaller nose than the model in the picture, but overall I'm extremely happy and very proud this is my own work.  Monday night I was ready to give up as nothing was working.  But I have a stubborn streak and just had to have another go. 

Thank you so much for being patient with me while I share something with you I love to do.

Have a wonderful day/evening,

Anne  xx


11 comments:

  1. Great to see the progress Anne....I was wondering how she was coming along...

    It's looking amazing you are such a talented thing.........that stubborn streak certainly comes in handy eh?

    Claire x

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  2. Wow - it is amazing! Great skill. Thank you for showing us.
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  3. I love your work. How dare the teacher try to make your work into theirs. So not cricket! Cherrie

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  4. Hi again Anne. I just wanted to share this link to an Icelandic blog for knitting where the lady somehow reminds me off the girl you are painting. I know they are not the same but there is a certain quality to their stillness. Cherrie

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  5. Really good, looks very natural, bet your glad you didn't give up!!

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  6. Sometimes it's better to go at your own pace and with your own ideas. The painting's looking great.
    Love from Mum
    xx

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  7. Being stubborn will get you a long way, Anne. Hang in there!

    Renee :)

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  8. Hi Anne

    Thank you for your kind comments on my blog. I love your painting - you are very clever!

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  9. The face is very delicate and I love her hair !

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  10. It's looking lovely, I don't think you need a teacher!

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  11. Loving this painting Anne. Such an beautiful and interesting composition to have the pictures in the background! You are doing marvellous work!

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