Slide Show or click on images to enlarge.
I wanted to also thank all those people who were so kind to comment on Scribbit. I am still grinning from ear to ear after reading all those wonderful comments regarding this painting. Thank you all!
Work in Progress #10
I repainted the entire back and have been concentrating more on the dress.
Work in Progress #9
Lillian is undergoing eye surgery. Something about her right eye was bothering me and upon careful checking I noticed that it had shifted down. So corrections were made and once that area is dry, it will be further remeasured and improved.
I have also been paying more attention to the candy jars, trying to get the the form of the glass right. I am missing a filter on my camera so this is not the sharpest of pictures. I will try re shooting this afternoon to see if I can get a better shot.
Work in Progress #8
I have been working on the candy in the jars and have played around with the placement of different items in that far right corner. For now it will be candy in a little cellophane bundle, but I am not utterly convinced that this is the right thing. All those candies have to be completely dry to the touch before I can work on the highlights for the glass. I just realized that the color on Lillian is a bit off on the photo, but I wanted to show the progress on the jars. Other little adjustment have been made here and there as well.
Work in Progress #7
An artist friend Micheal Georges, pointed out that the separation between the candy jars was too identical and suggested breaking it up a bit. I was bothered by that as well and changed the size of the glass jar in the back. I am still bum boozled as to what to put in the front... Did I mention that painting a striped dress is not fun?! progress is inching along, because I can't seem to focus long enough. Maybe it's this insane heat we have been having...
I have started to apply all the different colors of the wall paper and will be working on the garment next.The work process differs from how I usually work, but I feel that due to the amount of detail involved, I want to get an overall feel first as to how each element will relate to the other.
Work in Progress #5
Well, I thought I could work more on this painting, but people kept stopping and chatting while I was painting at the gallery. Once I am finished with the portrait of the bride, I will be able to concentrate entirely on this painting and it will move along at a much faster pace.
Work in Progress #4
I am using Old Hollands Raw Umber for the wash in. This brand has a softer hue and will work better on this light skin tone.
Work in Progress #3
Lillian has left the drawing stage. I originally had the wall going back at an angle, but this caused the pattern on the wall paper to be too crunched up and appear even busier than it already is. Now Lillian is posed directly in front of the wall and I think it looks better. Usually I do not fill in, but in this case there was so much visual information going on that I was getting confused. The wall paper will be played down once it goes into the painting stage and will not compete with the figure.
I also played around with the jars and have Lillian hold one of those candy balls. This might explain her mischievous smile.
Work in Progress #2
After getting everything in place with pencil, I started filling in the design with ink. I am very excited to see how this turns out but also have a feeling that this one might take a while to finish.
Work in Progress #1
Lillian's mom and me were looking through good reference photos and both decided after a lot of searching that this pose might make for a cute painting. One of their good friend's had take some super nice photos of the family and it really got me thinking about how I can make this painting stand out. Nowadays a lot of photographers have the type of backgrounds we associate with the Old World feel and I felt that for this young family of 6, a painting was needed that felt not only cheery and light, but also very contemporary and fun.
I started to look for backdrops that would match the pale colors of Lillian's dress and guess were I found it! At Miette, my favorite candy store in San Fransisco.
MietteSince Lillian had her hand resting on her older sister's lap, I also needed s.th were she could lean against. And since kids love candy why not a table full with candy jars!
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42 comments:
Enzie,
You are the most accomplished artist. Each and every one of your paintings and drawings are amazing. Thanks for sharing them with all of us!
xo Lidy
Hi Enzie,
This is coming along very nicely. I like how how the pretty girl sits before the wallpaper. It's a nice contrast and adds intrest to the design. Thank you for sharing your progress. It's fun to watch. Have fun today Bella.
xo
Constance
Stunning! Look forward to seeing it finished! Debbie
Lidy, Constance and Debbie,
Thanks for leaving me such nice comments. It brightens my day when friends come by and like my days work.
how beautiful:) the girl is looking so sweet and "real" already...your work is so life~like, you can almost see the subjects breathing...the picture you are doing of our friend the bride is stunning!!!
Lillian is coming along nicely. I have a better idea of the process now, having followed your progress before. I like the way the hair bow and flower flow. She is such a pretty little girl and your client will be well pleased.
Lori, I love painting children, because their emotions read like an open book.
Bobbie, I think most of us do not know what goes into the process of creating. We take what we see for it's face value and either like-, or dislike it.
Seeing the process of how an artist works, from the 1st step of an idea conception, to layout and actual technique application, gives
an insight that also calls for a better understanding and appreciation.
Glad to hear that you think she is coming along nicely.
Wow , this is really going well, do you use siccatives to speed up the drying process of your oil?
I don't use any mediums other than Lindseed oil and 50/50 Medium when doing the wash in. The 50/50 consists of the following ratios
1/2 cold pressed Lindseed oil
1/2 English distilled Turpentine
I live in California, so the weather is usually warm and things tend to dry pretty fast. Hope this helps and thanks for stopping by.
Delightful! I love the impish smile and wallpaper like background... and the colors are so romantic!
I check every couple days to see if you've posted any new progress and what a thrill to see this post! She's looking wonderful--it's starting to pop out of the background and take shape. I have no idea what a "siccative" is but I love the shop talk in the comments :)
I can see what your problem was with the wallpaper but this is looking fantastic.
I think you've done a great job with her eyes--I recognized them right off.
I'm looking forward to seeing the finished piece:) I love the impish smile on little Lillian.
Gloria Gales
Oh how fun! This is going to look so pretty in the girls room when it's finished--I've already got a spot picked out.
I love this little Lillian with the pink bow in her hair. I think the things you have picked for the background will be perfect with this sugar 'n spice girl.
I love how you were able to decorate this photo to get the best color combination. The surrounding colors make Lillian absolutely glow.
Her skin tones are lovely--I hope you get your June bride finished on time, deadlines always make me nervous.
I have combined all the different stages of this portrait into one post and had to transfer your previous, lovely comments to this section.
Just in case you are wondering...
She looks Great Enzie!
Portraits bring out the soul of a person. They are different that photos. Thank you for sharing this journey!
xo
Constance
Yes, I couldn't agree more that portraits bring out the soul of a person. I always get goosebumps, when I see two eyes looking back at me from an unfinished canvas.
Wish you'd send some heat our way! And I never thought about the stripes :)
Yup, me neither! LOL But the vertical lines of the stripes in the dress are the compliment to all the circular motives on the wall paper and candies. They will be the ying to the yang, so to speak.
Enzie, Lillian is really looking good, stripes and all :) Beautiful work as always. You seem to have a special touch for children.
Thanks Bobbie!
Lillian is looking wonderful Enzie!
Everyone who has seen my portrait has been so impressed with your work!
Hugs!
Nancy
Nancy, I am so happy to hear that you are still getting great feedback on your portrait. Hopefully once I am done with Lillian's portrait the response will be the same.
This is beautiful. You may be able to help me here. Have you heard of Edith Scannell who painted much like this for children's books. I have a painting of hers and would love to know its worth (roughly).
Thanks Di! Try Artnet http://www.artnet.com/artist/14966/edith-scannell.html . They have auction results, although you have to pay to view details. The other place to check value would be with Sotheby's or Christies. If you take photos from the front and back you can email them and ask for an estimate. Good luck, your print must be lovely!
Oh it looks wonderful! Whatever you did to tweak the eyes is working--thanks for emailing me to check on this because I look every couple days to see if you've posted anything new and was gone the past four days and hadn't had a chance to look.
Fabulous work!
Thanks for your response to my question about Edith Scannell. This
painting is an original done by her for a friend I think. The little
girl is called Una and the back of the frame has a message to her from
Edith Scannell and the painting is signed and dated 1912. My son got it from a house clearance years ago and I know she is a renowned artist but could find no valuations. I had come across artnet but wasn't sure if they were genuine or not. I will give it a try. Thanks again.
Oh it's wonderful! How exciting!
That is beautiful and I loved being able to see the progression from the beginning. You captured the details of the stripes and folds on her dress and I am sure that Lillian was happy to have the candy jars added to her portrait. Amazing.
Enzie, it's been too long since I checked out your blog. Your working continues to amaze me 0 jealousy is creeping at my door.
You've got it girl! Keep it up!
P.S. I'm bookmarking this site so that I don't loose you again.
Rick, I loose track of all the wonderful people I cross paths with as well, so don't feel bad.
Glad we connected again and thanks for the wonderful compliment! You made my day!
That is a fabulous process although I have no idea how you sorted out all those arms from the original photograph.
Best wishes
Hi Maddy,
Thank you for leaving a comment! The sorting was the easy part, what drove me crazy with less than perfect eye sight where those stripes!LOL
I popped over to your web site and enjoyed reading what you had to share about your family. It sounds to me that you must be one very patient lady that knows how to untangle situations in more way than one!
All the best...
It's remarkable. You're very talented!
It’s a wonderful portrait Enzie! Great art!
Very generous of you to share your painting process with everyone. A mini course in itself! I am familiar with the Reilly palette (which I have used and have had problems with) but have never tried the Mattelson or Paxton palette. This painting is evocative of a Norman Rockwell (to me). I love it.
Thank you ~ I am so pleased to see that so many people like Lillian's portrait and I truly appreciate all the wonderful comments everyone has left me here.
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