More work on Caswell

This painting has been sort of a pain and a joy.  Although I really like the photo and the challenge of getting the likeness correct, there are still things that bother me.  I have wiped out the eyes and re-painted them twice.  Still not sure about them.  The hair and beard need lots more attention and I really don't want to over work it.  It sits and stares at me for days at a time until I just have to fiddle with it some more!  LOL!!!

Something other than faces

I'm anxious to learn to paint more than faces, even though faces are my favorite subjects.  Sat down yesterday and did this little 8X10 of clouds over the ocean.  From my imagination.  Can't do that with faces so it's a nice switch to do something that doesn't have to look like someone in particular.  Oil on canvas panel.  Toned a neutral mid gray to start.  Not sure it is finished yet. 
It will live on the wall in the studio for a bit. Then I'll decide.

New start - great great grandfather

Caswell Purselley. Still working on the one of Sarah but I was anxious to get going on him too.
Oil on canvas.

Updates on a couple pieces

A little more work on the portrait of my great-great grandmother, Sarah Purselley.  My first time to do lace and I'm pretty pleased with it.  There is a small pin that holds the collar together but I have not put it in yet becauase there is not much to see about it in the photo.  Not sure how to handle that.  I also have more work to do on her hair.

I think I may call this horse finished.  It's at the point that I don't know hwat  else it may need and I don't want to just noodle with it and maybe ruin it.  Overall I'm pleased with how it came out.  I'm working on another one right now and will post it later.

Lime green

My favorite color of clothing is lime green, so since I'm working from a black and white photo I made my shirt lime. Need to do more work on the rest of the painting but I like it so far.

Another start!

I always have a few paintings going at one time. I don't have A.D.D. I just like working on several projects at once and with oil it's actually necessary. Otherwise I would just keep on fiddling until I messed it up if I didn't have another painting to turn to. When I was a child, we lived in San Diego for a couple years. It was during the Korean War and my dad was in the navy. I have a photo of me at the beach when I was probably 4 or 5 years old. I decided to see what I could do with it in oil. So here it is in progress.

Couple new starts

I've been busy painting! Yay!!!

This horse is an image from Wet Canvas and I love the way it is turning out. Seems all the things Mahto has been teaching me are finally sinking in and being easier for me to incorporate into my work. Whew!

The portrait is the very beginning of a painting of my great-great grandmother. I'm really happy with how it is shaping up. I think it may be my best attempt at "skin" so far.