Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Moving ahead




I'm pushing my way through this, taking the good with the bad and trying to both anticipate and resolve problems as they arise.

I've reworked the mouth endless times and in the end the paper, even at 300lb, was protesting so I resorted to watercolour pencils to get some shape and colour down and a wash to blend them.  The mouth still isn't complete, but I'm moving in the right direction now.

The hair still needs a lot of work and although I blocked in a dark background, it may be too stark against the lighter hair.  This image really shows all those earned grey hairs!  I have added some pastel to the hair as a first step, over the watercolour and see where it goes.  The two media seem to work well, as does coloured pencil with watercolour.
I played around with an a painterly approach for the skin tones, laying down colour in an pointillistic way so that the eye blends the colours.

Its heading down the home stretch now.  Keep your fingers crossed and thanks for keeping me company on the journey.

10 comments:

Rose Welty said...

Jeanette, I really like the mixed media in these last few portraits - I think it gives your work a perfect balance between painterly and technically astute and detailed! Looking good my friend...

Pat said...

Fingers crossed and talismans in the ready. I like what you have done so far. Funny I feel the same anxiety I would if I were working on this one myself.

Maree Clarkson said...

Beautiful colours and wonderful likeness Jeanette! Well done!

Jan said...

It's looking good but you always do such fabulous portraits.

Jeanette Jobson said...

Thanks Rose. I like experimenting with media and seeing what works. Not every experiment is successful, but its the journey that counts.

That's funny Pat. Now don't you stress about it too, its on the home stretch now. Just keep your fingers crossed. :)

Thank you Maree. Its interesting what range of colours can go into a face and have it still read as a face.

Thanks Jan. Its heading in the right direction now I hope.

adebanji said...

I have been enjoying the progress of this piece and I think perserverance pays through- its beginning to have some real emotional qualities! I love it!

Jo Castillo said...

Your patience and dedication amaze me. You are an inspiration for me to slow down.

Jennifer Rose said...

i could tell that was you right away :D the eyes are very piercing :)

Billie Crain said...

Lookin' good so far!

Jeanette Jobson said...

Thanks Adebanji. Each time I look at it, I get more ideas.

If there's one thing in life I've learned Jo, is that rushed art doesn't usually produce excellent pieces.

I could stare down a dog Jennifer :)

Thanks Billie.