In collaboration with my hubby (he shot & chose the picture) I have started this painting as a belated gift for our friends who recently got married. Fred had requested I create it and I agreed despite my fear dislike of portrait work. I am about objects… objects can be interpreted by the artist “eye” more loosely than what I feel you can do with portraits - I feel that if it does not look like the person it’s not a successful painting! (especially if it’s a gift) I keep thinking about that episode of King of Queens!! That is huge pressure…
I gridded the photo to ensure accuracy and penciled in the photo directly on the canvas. The lines were pretty harsh so that I could see them through the multi-layers of paint. I started on the background since it was not a subtle texture (they were married outside - this is a first dance shot) and would require a lot of pastel work before I stared on the skin tones. I still have not quite finished the back ground but quite frankly I was getting sick of working with nothing but green. The bride’s skin tones are much darker than what will be the final product. The under painting creates the base in which I go from dark to light. I also tinted the skin a little on the red side because my pastel colors I have available lack in the flesh tones. The close up is of the detail I have achieved so far. As you can see the painting is much more delicate than the line drawing… I can’t wait to paint the jewelry!
Of course I will be adding my style to this portrait. The blank section on the right hand side will be of a picture Fred took of their wedding favor. It is in keeping with who I am as an artist and the bride told me that they didn’t get to see the finished favors as the arrived the day of the wedding. I think it’s a nice touch.