Thursday, September 09, 2010

wip: cassidy

(12x17)
I took this picture of my boyfriend's son's girlfriend's six-year-old daughter, Cassidy, this weekend. Cassidy feels comfortable being photographed--an enviable trait--and the photos I took of her look so appealingly natural.
(BTW I think we need some new words to describe our modern web of relations.)
I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself at the moment--and may open a bottle of Prosecco--because I made two good decisions: I decided 1) to fill in the background before painting Cassidy's hair; it's a mid-brown, but I don't want to lose the light on it and the dark background will help me not overdo it, and 2) her bathing suit was elaborately patterned, which I decided to ignore!
Her head is tilted down a bit which I'm worried about: it distorts the features ... Can you tell her head is tilted?

first wash


second wash
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13 comments:

Nancy L. Vance said...

This is lovely! Yes, you can tell her head is down and she is looking up at you. Lucky you for having such a great model!

Lucia B. said...

What a beautiful, fresh, lively portrait! I like your choice of colours and I find very interesting to see the different stages of painting!

Carol Blackburn said...

Laura, it is coming out beautifully. Yes, the tilt of her head is evident because you have the eyes looking up. I remember reading that if you get the eyes right everything else will follow.

Carol said...

Yes, you captured that "head down, looking up" very well. You should be pleased with yourself!

Diana said...

This is Wonderful, Laura, you did get the tilt of her head just right and the colors are perfect.. Love the net too!!! Brillant! Diana

RH Carpenter said...

What you painted so well and what you left out makes this one a winner! Yes, her head is tilted down and she's looking up at us - the hair is gorgeous!!!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Laura,

What a fantastic portrait. No don't change a thing. She looks exactly like a younger version of my friend's niece, also named Cassidy.

Gorgeous painting.

XOBarbara

Autumn Leaves said...

I love the hammock background! For me, I have found that if I layer in the composition as it is in reality, it usually looks better and more natural so I agree with doing the background first, Laura. You are a master at these watercolor portraits. I have loved each and every one of them!

Gretchen Bjornson ART said...

You can tell her head is tilted, but it looks great in the painting. The colors are wonderful.

Sandra Busby said...

This is absolutely lovely! Yes - you can tell she is tilting her head. You know what to leave out which is something I am working on with my own art, and it's so great that you share with us the process too. Thank you! I agree - you definitely need a new word, lol!

Teresa said...

Yes, I can tell her head is tilted .... and you did a great job on this. So fresh, lively and loose.

M R Anand said...

this one is gorgeous! love the net in the background and the tilting head and the cute smile!

A Brush with Color said...

Wonderful, Laura! You're making great choices--oh, and I love that you're doing yoga. It seems to be having a great influence on you, I'll say that!