Painting Layer 4 Faces of Children I adjust colors in this stage and rely on my sketch for color notes.

Painting Process 3 Faces of Children The first layer of color goes in thinly. I pay careful attention to the shapes of the shadows and lights. I focus on maintaining accurate contrast between the lights and darks. Some edges are lost and softened. I use a limited palette of oil color paints for this layer. White, black, cad yellow light, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, cad red light, perm alizarin crimson, terra rosa, ultramarine blue, cobalt blue, burnt umber and raw umber. My

Painting Process 2. Faces of Children This is the second step of my process when painting a portrait. I reviewed all the reference material and spending some time sketching and cropping for composition. I narrowed the reference material down to four head and shoulder photographs that will work well as paintings. I then ask Mom for her thoughts. Mom felt one in particular captured her daughter best. I am now ready to begin painting. On a 9 by 12 linen canvas toned with ligh

Painting Process 1 Faces of Children This portrait is for the Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists (CSOPA) event Faces of Children co sponsored by Stepping Stones Museum for Children and the Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum. The subject of my portrait is a happy, vibrant and beautiful toddler girl. Prior to our photo and sketch session, Mom and I discussed clothing, background and portrait size. The initial sketch and photo session was at grandma’s house, where my very

It does not give the artist as much useful information as a live sitting. When an artists sets up a portrait reference photo he/she may be looking for a specific color light to make the portrait more interesting. Yes, light has color, just look at a sunset! The subject may be posed to create distinct shadow patterns that are both flattering and help create a sense of volume and space in the final painting. Raccoon shadows around the eyes, mustache shadow patterns under the no