Portraits

Progressive steps, for a portrait: "Anna" oil on canvas 18 x 24"

Finished painting

Anna: Oil on canvas 18 x 24"

The finished portrait: Finally! Here is the portrait I began last November. It took much too long, but in the end I have a work which illustrates what I wanted to convey, to the viewer. For me, it's best to resist rushing to the finish line. (stroke).
Hope you like my portrait of "Anna", one of my favourite swing dance partners.
I chose this landscape format to create a little tension, between the formal portraiture proportion and my "mojo". Always work from the heart, Doug, that is where the best comes from.

For viewing and purchase, please visit Art Gallery of Hamilton

The following images are steps in my progress, with Anna. I am working on canvas, 18 x 24". The first application of pigment is acrylic. I use this to quickly block in my composition and establish anatomical features.

Beginning of portrait. First stage. Base, and overall composition, in acrylic.

step 2

Step two, in progress. Laying oil overtop of the acrylic base.
Doesn't look much different, but much work has been done.

Step 3: Major revision. Lessen reds, more neutral skin tones.

Step 4: Getting closer

More than two months on this, so far.

Step 5: More work on facial tones and colour. Continue work on hair.

Step 6: Re-work all hair. Close to finish, on forehead hair only.

Step 7: At this stage, there is still much work to be done.
Work on forehead hair, almost complete. Subtle revisions on skin tones, eyes, mouth, deepen shadows.
Now I plan to put her hand in hair, at right side of head. Hard to find a model, with the delicate, classic fingers I am thinking of.

Step 8 :You can see this is getting fussy. Hand is roughed in. Now I need to work on shoulders, add flourish to hair.
See top image for final, step 9 of the process.