Sister Delores Beringer, csj
 

This is a posthumous portrait of Sister Delores Beringer, csj.

A large parish in my city is building a new parish center and will honor her memory by naming the center after her.

Their were only two photos the sisters could provide me, one had a copyright and the other was not very flattering. So I tried to carry on the Mattelson torch and worked with a model for the body position. In researching her, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the skin tones of her fellow sisters, she passed in her 90

That is a lovely portrait! And with bad references! Great job Beth - I am impressed.

Very NICE Beth. ! :thumbsup:

Congratulations, I think that you have been very successful in combining the source material with the model used. There is a fine unity and believability in the colors.

Allan

I think this is your best yet, Beth. You are a master at hands. It was a brilliant decision to use a model for the body.

Beth,

This is our ticket into heaven (I really need to find some coattails somewhere). Between this and the earlier Priest, you are a shoe in.

But seriously, this is a beautiful painting. You are getting quite good with that flesh palette.

Thank you all very much, Mike I am not sure I am a sure-in into heaven yet. I must admit many #$@$%% were loudly said during this challenge.

I thought for fun, and to see if Karin falls over, I would post the original reference, then a composite showing the model (a joke we did for her husband) and the shot I used for the body.

I think two things, well three (they know who they are) helped me with this; one - actually visiting the sisters and looking at their skin tones, two- the portrait Juan Martinez did that won the competition in Canada last year, I would go back to it for the blending and skin tones (I used Marvin's palette). I felt like Juan's had a "Doris Day" through the cheese cloth quality that I felt would work well for this.

Very well done, I like the way you handled the edges in this painting and the way you added blue into the background, everything ties together so well.

This portrait is so soft and comforting it almost brought tears to my eyes... and I'm not even Catholic. Beautiful job on a beautiful lady.

Very well done, Beth!

Beth, this is my new favorite painting of yours! (Yes, I know I keep saying that, but it keeps being true.) The softness, the gentleness, the color - it all works. Wonderful job.

(Today's mystical question: can goodness and holiness can be absorbed via the osmosis of painting someone with those qualities?)

Hi Beth, you did an especially good job of using your model to come up with a believable pose. Bravo! The reference was certainly challenging. I'm sure God has a little sparkle in his/her eye concerning your irreverence.

Jean

Bravo Beth! Your best yet.

I'm flattered you chose to follow my lead. I always say the end justifies the means. When someone looks at your portrait, there is no place to list excuses. A professional does whatever is necessary to produce their best result. It was pointed out to me long ago that in life you get either reasons or results.

Well done!

Very nice, Beth
 

The church needs to be warned. Hang this one high, and out of Beth's reach. She'll start painting over it if she can get her hands on it. :):):)

Say what you will about poor photo references. At least they make you challenge yourself. Your graphic design skills came into play here, piecing together parts to get what you wanted. Good work!

Nicely done Beth!

Beth,

One of the most appealing aspects of this painting to me is your use of edges, very lovely. I agree with Linda/Marvin. This is your best, and what a compliment it is to you that we keep saying that every time you post a new piece.

Congragulations!

Beth,

This portrait is animated! You can't walk by her without being drawn into a conversation.

Congratulations!

Beth,

I think this is a wonderfully expressive portrait - I feel the sweetness of her character.

Way to pull out a great portrait from such scant reference, congrats.

Thank you so much for all of your kind comments. I love affirmation from people I try to emulate.

I have yet to present this to the powers that be, too much graphic work to pay for my portrait follies, my husband would say.

Thanks again.

Beth

btw, Jeff you know I have to attend a few workshops before I do the re-over! ;)

You took on a difficult challenge with this one Beth, nice work. :)