Sweet Sixteen
 

It has been a while since I posted a "portrait", so I thought I would share this special one to me. It is for my youngest who is turning sixteen.

Shocking how they get this old and you don't!

This is oil, 14 x 11 on a gesso panel.

Thought provoking piece
 

HI Elizabeth,
This portrayal of your child is deep, and invites me to connect with her. I'm emotionally moved by her expression here. :thumbsup:

Hi Beth,

I like this very much. As Marcus said, the expression is engaging, and the brushwork is so "liquid". So what is the secret behind such fluidity?


Jean

Hi Beth,

This portrait is stunning and provocative. What a fascinating face! You have captured so many thoughts and emotions going on in her eyes alone. There's a childlike quality and a powerful mature beauty that coexist in the most fascinating way.

I love the modeling of the form, the turquoise sweater, the oddly-draped beads (such a realistic touch), the way you suggested her mane of hair, and the slight tilt of her head. Everything!

Alex

I already commented on another forum, but wanted to say it again - just beautiful Beth. I bet your daughter is thrilled.

Beth, I think this my favorite of yours so far. It is fresh and honest, and painterly.

Oh thank you guys so much! She will be so tickled to see these responses!

Marcus my photography of my work is the pits, but there is a bit more definition in the shoulders that might have been lost.

Jean thank you for noticing the brushwork - I have been working hard on this. I'm sneaking an extreme close-up in, so hopefully you can see it better.

Kim, ;)

Thanks again, Beth

Beth, this is beautiful. I'm loving the color in this. And I can't believe how grown up your daughter looks!

Beth,

I think she is perfect. I could not find anything to critcise in this exquisite and touching piece. Her face is luminous.

I can't believe how young she looks at the same time. My daughter at 16 was a shuddering mess. She was lovely before and wonderful since. Glad you seem to have missed the awfulness. Janet

Beth--
I saw this in progress on another forum, loved it then, love it now. It's just luminous. My favorite of yours yet!

Beth, this painting has that arresting quality that makes the eye want to linger; it's got a splendid painterly technique (nice color spots in the face by the way!) and an honest directness. I wish I had painted it.

Great Stuff Beth. I can feel the bond between you both, it has a very personal quality to it. Well Done.

Beth, this is marvellous. Like Linda said, I wish I painted this. It's also my favorite of yours. I'm going to go linger over it some more....

Hi Beth,
Ditto what everybody else said! Another lovely work.

I'd like to see this in progress too! Could you tell me where I can see it?

Bonfim thanks!

Terri is likely talking about a few wip images I posted because of my strange way of checking my work, I am not sure if it was saying a whole lot but I can put a few of the post here.

You'll be able to see how I went crazy with her one eye.

And Alex, I forgot to say congratulations to you on your "moderatorship", you will be such an asset for Cynthia here!

Hi Beth,

Thanks a lot, I'd like to visit Cincinnati one day and see it in person.

I love it, Beth,
I love it from the ground color to the lips to therefected color on her face which picks up the sweater and ties it all together. I have read so many great responses which I agree with that I can't remember who said it was your best yet, but I agree! Why couldn't I have looked like that at 16? Or 20? Or 30?

Bonfim, come visit anytime, I love meeting artist from here...Mr. Garth!

Lisa I keep telling people it's all because of my genes, but no one believes me! HA!

Beth, thanks for posting the WIP--fascinating to see how other people work. I sometimes do something similar with the lines when the face is tilted. It helps me see the proportions better. What colors did you use to mix that lovely neutral green background? Anyway, it's a wonderful and strong piece of work.

Beth, you have made both a beautiful daughter and an equally beautiful painting of her.

Thanks Heidi, she'll appreciate that!

Alex when I work on gesso panel, I love to basically stain the surface. I just put the paint on then wipe it dry. If I want the color different, i just repeat the same process. To add texture I will lightly sand some areas too.

I'll post a super close up of it so you might be able to see something.

I am also going to post the hopefully better non glare image finals. If they look better I'll delete these and replace the above.

:)

Magnificent, Beth.

I look forward to your every new work. Your style is just loose enough, while maintaining a good level of detail. Not to mention, it's got emotional appeal.

Congratulations!

Beth, this is all that has been said it is and more. It shows that you put your all into this one.

Your daughter has such a lovely face. So much character. You must do another. Some of the masters did portraits of the same person a number of times. Have you asked self why? Beth please don

Jeff thanks I love to see you here!

Mischa you are so nice to say those things about Aunie, she does have some incredible features. Sad thing about having lovely daughters is that you think you have great models free of charge, and they think, NO, NOT AGAIN! What until they are old like me... ;)

Beth, It was a thought but as I know quite well it is so difficult to get good help now days. I haven

I agree with everyone else who posted that this is your best yet. Great color, sensitive characterization -- and thanks for posting the WIP shots. It's most helpful to see how other artists construct a painting, I think.

Mischa I feel like that all the time and often wish I had Mike's nerve to take random pictures of people.

Thanks Michele, I was hoping you have stock-piled a really detailed demo of the Gov! It's so great.

I like the loosely painted auburn hair, and the contrast of the cool tourqoise blouse against the warmer, greyed green background. Nice job Beth.