Yvonne

[lucky]

Here's my latest portrait. This one is a commission, that I need to finish so I can start packing up to move. It's the second try, think the added pressure of getting paid got to me a little. :o
Still have more to do every where, just wanted to get an idea of what anyone thought before I finish it up and get approval from the client. It's a little scary! Thanks!

Lucky

[Amazingreys]

Lucky, I can't offer any real C&C as a novice, so I'll leave that to others with more experience.
I just wanted to say how beautiful this (and all your work!) is.
I love the lighting and colors in this portrait. :)

I want to paint with pastels when I grow up!

Always looking forward to more of your work. :clap:

[Dorell]

This is gorgeous :drool: !! The colours are so warm... and I just love that bit of cool blue to set it all off. Beautiful.
If I had any nitpick, it would be the left eye (as we look at it). It is perhaps not quite on the same plane as the skin around it (on the left side anyway). The tonal value of the eyelashes in particular seems a little too strong. But, hey, I would never have thought of it if I hadn't been TRYING to find something to crit :o :D

Dorell.

[Cleo]

Beautiful work...



What size is the portrait ?




Cleo

[Debee]

Beautiful! What else can be said. :clap: :clap: :clap:

[lene]

Hi Lucky
Love it :clap: it is a great painting :clap:

[lucky]

What a releif! So glad no one sees any big glaring problems!


Thank you Amazingreys! Have you started experimenting with pastels yet?

Thanks Dorell! Sorry to be so dull, but do you mean her right eye? The left one as we look at it? Still have more lower lashes for that eye... ah oh! I'll try to work more on the eyes today and hopefully get them both looking better ;)

Hi Cleo, thanks, it's not a very big one, 12.5" x 9.5" (24 x 32 cm)

Thank you Debee and Lene! Hope to finish it today with some renewed confidence because of you all! grouphug

[KarenCardinal]

Wow this is gorgeous! I tend to stay away from pastels because everyone out here works in them. ;)

I've got to say, I've not seen such a beautiful pastel portrait in a very long time!

I wonder if Dorell might be referring to the fact that the eye on the viewer's left doesn't have any shadow on the outside corner to set it back into the skull and round it.

I will certainly be watching your work from now on! :D

[Cleo]

Let us know what the client thinks ;)






Cleo :bye1:

[Rose]

Lucky,

Another gorgeous painting from you! I am amazed at how quickly you work and you always have such a fantastic sense of where to put the right color... it always works! :-) I am sure the client will adore this one!

[lucky]

Well, It's done! :D (I think)

Thanks Karen! I think I got it now, I hope. I'm attaching a close up so you and Dorell and anybody else can double check that eye for me. Is it reading better now? Thanks for your help!

Hey Cleo, I just sent an email with the final pic. we'll see what happens. My stomach is full of butterflies!

Thank you so much cheery Rose! ;) I'm so glad you like my crazy colors!

[Toni]

Hi Lucky

I know I'm late.. the story of my life... ;)

This is a beautiful portriat! The palette is friendly and warm. makes us think shes a warm and caring soul. Georgeous depth in her eyes, and her mouth.. done in perfection.

If I were going to nit pick anything it would be the shadow from her nose. It almost reads to sharp or to deep along the nasal wing on her left side and I'm finding the cast shadow a tad bit distracting. I'm sure it should be there, but maybe using your artistic license to lighten it would have been ok. Also maybe just a tad of highlight on the right side of her nose above the nasal wing would give the impression that both sides are the same, or... some shadow adjustment to the left side?

even picking at this.. its wonderful.

TJ

[Norma69]

Beautiful Lucky!!!!
I know nothing about pastels - am curious re TJ's comments - almost sounds like - when pastels are down - corrections don't come easy? Is the the case?
or--- can they be lifted like CP?

Norma

[Angela]

Absolutely stunning! I am always amazed at how your portraits look so REAL!!

Good job. Would love to know what the client thinks, too!

[Dorell]

I wonder if Dorell might be referring to the fact that the eye on the viewer's left doesn't have any shadow on the outside corner to set it back into the skull and round it.



I didn't know what was bothering me, but I gues Karen hit the nail on the head... she's a clever girl isn't she?
And the new post is wonderful :clap: . and whatever the eye problem was seems to have vanished :D . I am absolutely certain your client will LOVE it!!!

Dorell.

[Amazingreys]

So beautifully done, Lucky!



Thank you Amazingreys! Have you started experimenting with pastels yet?


I've made a few marks on paper, lol. I honestly don't know how to use them, but the feel of the pastel on the velour paper is so delicious!
I am hoping the book I have ordered will help me understand how to use this media. (I do know trying to use them like CP doesn't work. :cool: )

[oozoo]

This is simply stunning!! The only thing I can see that might need a second look is that the pupils are not the same size...but then I don't know much about anatomy....since the eye on the right(facing) is in deeper shadow, is the pupil supposed to be more dilated?? I've never looked at eyes that were in different lighting from each other.

[lucky]

Hi Toni, thanks for the critique. I see what you mean. And it is very dark in the reference, actually it is one of the darkest shadowed areas. I took a lot of photos of her and looked at a lot of them and they are similarly like that so I was starting to think maybe her philtrum area protrudes quite a bit and that's what caused this, but if it looks wrong, that's not good either. ;) So I'll work on that too, shouldn't be too difficult to lighten it up a bit. Thanks! So glad you like the eyes and mouth. Mouths are always the hardest part for me!

Thanks Norma, actually I think pastels are a lot more forgiving than CP's. But I tend to have a pretty heavy hand, so it might just be that way for me...

Thanks Angela, such a nice thing to say! Haven't heard back from her yet..

Dorell, really appreciate the feedback! Glad that eye looks o.k. now. I really hope she loves it. Thank you!

Thanks Amazingreys. What book did you order? I only have a Harley Brown book but it really doesn't talk about application or anything. I love velour too, at least I think this is velour. :o Yeah, they don't work like cp's. I think they're easier! (shhhhhhhhhh! :D)

Thanks oozoo, good to see you back :) You're right about the pupils, they should be the same size, but you know in the reference they actually aren't. It's really strange, I never known that to happen. I may adjust them a little though so they look closer. Her left eye is really in a lot more shadow so parts of that eye are really dark even close to the pupil so maybe that's making it look bigger also. Thanks for noticing. Will work on it.

[Rose]

Thank you so much cheery Rose! ;) I'm so glad you like my crazy colors!

Lucky, they are GREAT colors... not crazy at all... you have an excellent eye for atmospheric color... they are superb! ;-)

[caulfield]

This is so beautiful! I just love looking at your portraits! Thanks for sharing!

Nicole

[lucky]

Thanks Rose and Nicole!!!

Well this is the email from the client

"woaw! it looks amazing. It's just prefect!!:-) I cant wait to see it in person. Thanks for taking the time to do it. You have a great talent."

I'm so happy, and relieved right now. :cool: YEAAAAAAH! :D

[Rollow]

Hi Lucky,

This is fantastic. I think your colors are perfect, and one thing that struck me was the shadow on the left side of the face as you look at it, which of course is shadow from the hairline, but your rendering of it is perfect, gives it really nice depth.

Ron

[caulfield]

Thanks Rose and Nicole!!!

Well this is the email from the client

"woaw! it looks amazing. It's just prefect!!:-) I cant wait to see it in person. Thanks for taking the time to do it. You have a great talent."

I'm so happy, and relieved right now. :cool: YEAAAAAAH! :D

:clap: Yipee!!!! :clap: Not that I am surprised!!

[Dorell]

"woaw! it looks amazing. It's just prefect!!:-)

Got to say it....... "Told you so!!" :p :D

Dorell.

[Rose]

Oh Lucky, that's SUPER!!! Way to go, and right before your big move! That should make moving a little easier, your heart is lighter, you must be walking on clouds! That's really great news!

[Cleo]

Now you can concentrate on the packing with fewer worries :clap: :clap:


Well done Lucky




Cleo

[Amazingreys]

Thanks Amazingreys. What book did you order? I only have a Harley Brown book but it really doesn't talk about application or anything. I love velour too, at least I think this is velour. :o Yeah, they don't work like cp's. I think they're easier! (shhhhhhhhhh! :D)

It's called "Painting Animals that Touch the Heart" by Lesley Harrison. She does incredible pastel paintings of animals. I hope it will help me understand, I think it will, the book seems to get rave reviews and recomendations from many animal artists. :)

Congratulations on your clients approval, I don't think any of us had a doubt at all! :clap:

[lucky]

Awwwww, thanks so much everyone (Ron, Nicole, Dorell :D, Rose, Cleo and Dana)! It really is tough trying to make this a career, so I really really appreciate your critiques and encouragement!!!

Ron, I really love the work you do on the ash panels, the mix is so unique and really beautiful!

Dana, best of luck with the new book! Hope you get it very soon, sounds like a really good one!

Yes and you all are so right. Started packing after dinner, felt great not having any worries, the wine probably helped a little too. ;) :p

[Toni]

Congratulations Lucky! How could she not love it?

Good luck with the packing, have any good tips for me? Make sure you keep those art supplies where you can find them.

We'll need another WIP from you soon!

TJ

[larsnip]

Good Lord! I'm Jealous :mad:
This is Beautiful :clap: :clap: :clap: Such nice warm colors.
Great stuff!

Dave

[lucky]

Good luck with the packing, have any good tips for me? Make sure you keep those art supplies where you can find them.

Yes, actually my best packing tip is - the garbage can is your best friend!!! :D. Will keep the colored pencils out for the christmas card, that's it. :)

Ha ha Thanks Dave, you're funny! Jealous!?? No way! I love your stuff, so full of life and energy, always interesting - never boring, and always wonderful!

[Meisie]

Absolutely stunning and what a great response from the client!!!

I need to sit down now, after seeing this ;) :D

Meisie

[artmasters]

Well, what more can I add? If this one doesn't convince you that you are ready I don't know what will. The people of France were lucky to have you there, now watch out people of Spain! You will excell where ever you are. I love your work!

Dave

[lucky]

he he he :p , Thanks Meisie!!!

Thanks Dave, that means a lot :D !!!!
Hey, feel better soon!




:bye1:
lucky

[Debee]

I have a problem with this work :(
NOT

This is sooooooo gorgeous

[Brenda]

Oh, Lucky... Gorgeous work, Honey! Her mouth, the colors and that lovely shadow rollow picked out.... they are amazing!!

[Donna]

Lucky! :clap: :clap: :clap:

This is really lovely!

Donna

[lucky]

ha, ha Debee! Thank you!

Thank you Donna!

Hi Brenda! So glad you had a nice vacation, sounds like so much fun spontaneously finding places to stop at! So glad you like this little portrait. It's good to have you back. :)

Actually I forgot to post the final. did a few little tweaks, one was to her mouth which wasn't quite right.. And lightened that dark shadow Toni mentioned, but its hard to tell in this pic..and lightened her neck a little. anyway that's it.

back to packing! (hey where's the smiley gagging itself! :p )

[rosemary]

Hi Lucky: This is an inspiration for all of us. Have you been to the big museum in Paris that Napoleon started? Tell me, have you been able to view the impressionists work? I hear that there is so many masterpieces there, that it would take years to go thru them all. I forget the name of this famous museum. What a wonderful experience that would be to go to that place and view the masters. Rosemary

[Rose]

Wow, she's just PERFECT!

LOL on the gagging smiley... hope your move is a smooth one. :-)

[PatriciaTantono]

Beautiful Work Lucky ! Love the background colour. :clap: :clap:

[lucky]

Hi Rosemary, thank you. I'm not sure which museum you're referring to. One with some impressionists, is the Musee d' Orsay in Paris. There are tons of really beautiful works there. Or the Louvre, that one is enormous and really incredible!!! Actually since living in Europe, I think I've been getting one of the greatest educations by just going to all kinds of museums and just studying all the amazing art. I honestly learn something new every time I go! I consider myself very lucky to be living here!

ha ha Rose, I felt stupid after posting that, wondered if anyone would get that 80's valley girl joke. :p The packing's not so bad actually. Taking our first load down this weekend, 12 hours to Madrid. Should be a nice trip. :)

Thanks Patricia!!!

[Rose]

Lucky,.. yup, I remember Valley Girl talk well, UNFORTUNATELY!!! ;-)

Best wishes on your 12 hour drive to Madrid... take pictures of your new home!!! And of course, of that new puppy you are going to get ;) Soon you'll be all settled in and things will be grand...

[Nancy]

Hey Lucky!!!! So sorry I'm just seeing this thread, but I guess better late than never. :p

This is an absolutely gorgeous portrait!!!!! :eek: Unbelieveable!! What kind of pastels and paper do you use? I'm brand new at pastels, so I'm very curious. How did you decide the background colors? That's my biggest problem - what to do with the background. Any tips?

Fantastic work! I wish I could use pastels like you!! :)

[caulfield]

wondered if anyone would get that 80's valley girl joke. :p

If you ask me, there aren't enough 80's valley girl references around. :D I'm so glad I lived in the western US during that wonderful phase. :D Hope the move is going well.

nicole

[ex-limey]

All I can say is "WOWEE" Just fantastic!
Jean

[artfulscribe]

I can't believe I almost missed this...WOW. It glows. Eres tan increíblemente talentosa! (Better get used to those words...you'll be hearing them a lot! :D )

Roxana

[Shelleya]

I don't know how I missed this one! Absolutely beautiful - your work is so lifelike and warm - I just love it :clap: :clap: :clap:

[MSL]

Just want to say how impressed I am with your work!

[Angela]

LUCKY,
I am demanding that you do a step by step WIP - one that shows EXACTLY what you do to get such beautiful results. From beginning to end - every stroke, every color, every . . . . everything!!! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PUUUUUHHHHHLLLLLEEEEEZZZZEEE!!!!!

:D :devil2:

[Jugger]

Congratulations on completing your portrait. I'm a total novice but I love the warmth and atmosphere you've captured in the painting. So well done and enjoy the rewards when the cheque (one of many) arrives. Jugger x

[lucky]

Wow, thanks so much all for all these nice comments!!!

I'm writing from an internet cafe. Since we're in the middle of a move. I'll be away for a while, but just wanted to make sure to thank you all. Your comments have really made my day!

Hope to be back posting in January after we've found a place.

Thanks again! Take Care All!!!! :)

[Rose]

Hi LUCKY!!! So glad to see you here.. hope all is going well with your move and you are happy! :-)

Pop in from time to time even if it is at a cafe... love to see your smiling face!

Be blessed and be safe!

Hugs, Rose

[Tom C]

This is truely a beautifully crafted painting --you are in full command of the medium -congratulatioins on a marvelous piece. thank you tom