Oh Lisa,

This is so beautiful! I could just go on and on gushing! I've looked at this several times now and keep finding new things to admire about this piece.

Her skin tones are lovely and I bet you had a lot of fun doing the pattern on this sari didn't you? It is obvious that you spent a lot of time planning and thinking about this piece even before you started.

I'm so happy for you!

Congratulations,
Julie
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Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

Goodness! Thank you all so much. I overslept this morning which usually puts me in a rotten mood because I have to rush around and often end up stubbing my toe, breaking a nail, or getting a splinter---some annoyance like that. But nooooo! I woke up to your nice responses and it made up for the oversleeping.

Ngaire, I used mostly Rembrandt and Nu Pastels along with my pastel pencils for eye and mouth details on this one. I have quite a lot of raw umber (Rembrandt) in the background which set the tone for the rest of it. I love that color. It's quite unlike its counterpart in paint as it is much lighter and slightly green.

Michele, thank you! Saris are so beautiful. I have to admit I had never really looked closely at them before but overall the patterns are lovely and flowing. I'm not sure they would compliment a 17 year old young man but these days anything goes so you might really make a statement with a piece like that if you can convince him to try one on! I'd like to see it.

Jimmie, you made me so upset that I burned the piece. No I didn't. Yes indeed, I approached this differently by thinking more about marrying the colors of the whole painting together. I also strategically (maybe not totally successfully) placed the pattern of the sari in the hopes that it would still look right but would help point to the face. I tried a few different colors in the background before settling on this. I don't know if it shows in the post, but I also tried to get the background to reflect the cool and warms of the portrait subject. The right side of the background is warmer than the left. I think that helped a bit. Finally, lighting was actually on my mind which I am just now realizing makes so much of a difference. You have mastered that but I am an infant on that subject. Don't you wish you hadn't asked?! Ask a simple question, get a long winded answer. Oopsy.

Cynthia, you are so sweet! I have never entered a competition in my life and know nothing about doing that. Maybe I will try. I sure appreciate the compliment that accompanies the suggestion. Thank you.

Chris, a "wow" from you reminds me of how I felt when I had that dream that Ed McMahon showed up at my house with a big fat check from the sweepstakes. Please don't wake me.

Kim, to be fair, the above applies to you as well. Girls, girls, don't fight. There is plenty of room in my ego compartment for two "wows". Let's keep it civil. :)

Alex, thank you. That is such a nice compliment.

Garth, bite that tongue! I feel that way about every painting I see of yours. In fact, I want to be just like you. I love your work and have begun cyber-stalking your posts. For you to pass any work my way would be like feeding my dog a fine steak. This is a compliment to you as my dog has never had anything better than ground beef.

Julie, thank you so much for noticing that I did actually think about this one. Yes, the sari was "fun" in that I enjoyed watching the pattern take shape and felt a sense of relief and accomplishment when it was finished. Thanks so much!


You all have been so thoughtful and kind. I really appreciate it.

Lisa,

I am so proud of you! This is simply stunning and I have to echo Cynthia's words.The blue is jewel like.

That acrylic pastel surface is so malleable, you can make it fit any style.

The color is sumptuous, as a matter of fact I recommend every portrait artist tries pastels, it really frees up your inhibitions about color. They give you the same feeling that playing with crayons did as a kid.

Lisa,

What a beautiful pastel. It

This is one of the most gorgeous works I have seen in a while - Absolutely beautiful!!!

Sharon, oh my, thanks! I do love that ground (thanks again) and am still experimenting with it. If I could plan my pieces better I could arrange the texture to vary in the right way but I am a way off from that still. I absolutely agree that everyone should try pastels. No drying time to wade through so whenever one is so inspired one can paint right away! Thank you so much.

Allan, well hello! Thank you for taking a peek. I really think my model has such a simple yet elegant look to her. I am glad you see it too.

Jane, what an absolutely flattering compliment. I appreciate your words so much.

Lisa,

Please forgive me for being so late, but I just came across this jaw-dropping portrait. At this point all I can do is echo everyone else's praise--so Wow, Wow, Wow! If you ever make prints please sign me up for one.

Jean

Congrats on another brilliant portrait, Lisa!
Wow this is very realistic, I can't believe my eyes... How did you do it?

Yes, she is very elegant and you have certainly captured that look! I esp. love her eyes, they're gorgeous and soulful! Darn, this is so inspiring....

How long did it take you?

Jean, encouraging comments are never late. I know you must be really busy with the move and all. Before I ever even think of sending you a print I need to send you that house warming pencil sharpener I owe you! Thanks tons for the triple wows. Though not totally deserving of them I am still grateful and smiling. Let me know when you are ready for the sharpener. A deal is a deal.

Isabel, you are so nice! You inspire me so we can just trade inspiration back and forth. I'm really flattered you like this. I do love her eyes. She is a lovely and soulful person in my opinion so I am glad that comes across. This one did take much longer thanks to the detail on the sari. I know I have at least ten hours in it which for me it darn near a world record. I think the time was equally balanced between the face and the clothing. If I had a brain I would make sure my next one includes a solid color for fabric but no. I am already starting another one of the same girl in another sari which is more detailed. Glutton for punishment am I. Again, thank you for your enthusiastic and generous comments.

Okay Lisa, check your PMs. :sunnysmil

Jean