Michael - value study

Michael
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6
sold

Tonight finds me painting the baby of the family - Michael!  This child has been a joy for his entire life. He is such a peacemaker, so loving and there is not a cross bone in his body.  It has been my pleasure to parent him these last 16 years.  I've been truly blessed when it comes to children, every one is a shiny star and as good as they come!  I am working him up in black and white, value study style.  One reason for this is that the light in my photo is not very good, so the true colors are hard to read and very diluted. So, rather than struggle for colors I could not see - I painted in black and white, where I could strengthen those values for powerful portrait. I am loving this portrait month and wondering why I didn't do it sooner!  Painting number 1051 in 1051 days :)

Baby Alastair

Baby Alastair
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
purchase here

I really like painting these portraits using only black and white!  I set my timer for 40 minutes before I start, and when the time is up - I stop!  I mix as I go, and use no water at all until I am done with the painting - and then only to wash out my brush.  No medium is used with the heavy body acrylics, which allows the colors to be quite strong.  I am using short, impressionist strokes throughout - even for small areas like the pupils and iris of the eyes.  This really adds life and energy in a way straight, hard lines do not.  I am trying to do one black and white and one color portrait each day of this month - determined to master this technique quickly.  I am using filbert brushes - which I have never used (unless you count all of the brights and flats that I have worn down to filberts through the years!).  They make soft, rounded edges to the strokes, that flats simply wouldn't do.  Painting number 1043 in 1043 days.

Alan Smiles

Alan Smiles
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
value study - purchase here

I find that I really love painting these value studies in black and white!  The recommended black is Ivory Black, but I had several tubes of Mars Black - so that is what I am using.  I like the old black and white photo feel these paintings have - and I’m carrying them farther than just value studies.  I want them to stand alone as powerful paintings, with no need for color.  I want to paint one every day - and at 40 minutes each, that should be totally doable!   I do wonder if my strokes are loose enough on this one......This little darling is my oldest grandson, and I hope this painting does justice to his sweet, adorable soul!   Painting number 1042 in 1042 days.  I'm going to need to start photographing everyone I know just to keep up with my new habit.....!

Michaela - value study

Michaela - value study
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5

I am hoping that one month of these 40 minute value studies will sharpen my portrait skills. Improving accuracy with speed, and injecting genuine mood that can be felt with spontaneous strokes, are just a couple of rewards I hope to glean from this one month of portrait concentration.  I feel I am already better understanding the application of the masses to create form, rather than the sketching out of the composition first - which is a big step for me, as I have deep, deep roots in linear work!  The real key to success here is to step outside of my box, open myself up totally to this new way of portrait technique, and throw myself in whole-heartedly!  Capturing the perfect likeness in 40 minutes still evades me, but I am going to work on that until it happens every time!  I did decide to leave out her hand, to strengthen the composition. Painting number 1039 in 1039 days.