Rebecca
 

This is my first oil portrait..always done watercolors...

16x20, oil on canvas

The WIP of this is in the oil forum...finally finished and signed it yesterday....got lots of help from everyone here...it takes a village to complete a painting, you know!!

Thanks for looking!

Monique, congratulations on tackling the challenge of a new medium! I know from the WIP that you've really worked hard on this. You have pulled it off--it's a fine likeness of an adorable subject. I love the red coat, pale skin and dark hair against the light background.

Great completion Monique! Congratulations!

Monique,
Looks wonderful. Great job!

A lovely portrait well painted. Good job! Janet

Monique--
Sorry I'm so late in responding to this! I watched it progress while you had it in progress. It turned out beautifully! (Hard to believe it's your first oil!) :thumbsup:

I did notice this going on in the WIP, but I was having so much fun watching, I don't think I stopped to comment. Really love the color selections and background treatment here. Must have been a tough transition, but you handled it beautifully. Can't wait to see what you whip up next!

Hi Monique,

I have to say that as a first oil portrait, or even your thirtieth oil portrait (which will happen soon), this is exceptional in your mastery of the medium. You have a sensitive and precise eye. The color and value control is exquisite. Your subject is so charming, captivating and palpable with an engaging costume and pose. I love the specific moistness of those lips; everything is crisp and perfect! Very, very well done!

Garth

I don't think I have could put it better.

What a wonderful use of red (my favorite color)! It is such a treat to see a use of such a bold color on a child's portrait, refreshing and engaging. I cannot wait for your next piece. So good, so soon.

I am sorry I missed this one, I was away.

Monique,
Well done! And this is a first? I'm with Sharon on the use of bold colors. Love the red.

Thank you so much...
 

Garth, I never did respond to your humbling post to me. I admire your work so much, I think I was blown away when I read your message the first time, so much so that I didn't know how to respond. I had gotten so many critiques on this painting in the critique board that I began to doubt my work here....I considered re-working the face completely and the hairline....just when I thought I had created the best work ever, I was corrected...and rightfully so...I appreciate every single critique I received and will consider them in the next piece I do...but, having chosen not to change this painting, I will probably forever see it as they did...not good, lol....just the perfectionist side of me, rearing it's ugly head!! See, your post to me came after those comments and I just didn't see it as you did at that point. I am liking it again, and am proud of what I have created.

Sharon.....again, thanks so much....i DO love the red too!!! got to use a wonderful color of red I had just purchased that worked perfectly...napthol red, I do believe...with the highlights being pure cad red light...just the rich punch that coat needed!

Richard...yes, this is my first oil portrait, but I have already received a commission from this painting from a silent auction for the Arthritis foundation and am going to use it again in our prep school's silent auction at the end of March. I hope it will show people that I am able to create a wonderful piece in oil now, as well as they know I am able to do in watercolor...which is what I have shown for several years there.

going back to the earlier posts...

Alexandra...you have really stuck with me throughout this process, and I can't thank you enough...you are a wonderful artistic cheerleader! Your comments are truly appreciated!

Elizabeth, Cynthia and Janet....thanks so much for the comments..you guys are all such wonderful artists, I am truly humbled!

Terri and Heidi....thanks for sticking with this throughout the process. I like doing all of my pieces as a WIP, it helps to hear suggestions throughout the process and I can't imagine not having all of your help on my portraits. They are truly invaluable!

Again, Thanks to all of you who took the time to respond. It is something to get the opinion of such breathtaking artists...you just can't imagine what that does for my creative ego, :sunnysmil

Monique

Monique, let me add my congratulations also, somehow I missed this earlier. She is just beautiful, your transition from watercolor to oil is going so well. Doing it as a WIP was an excellent idea, that way you have angels on your shoulders to catch you if you start to fall.

Jean

I have used these reds before, but now I am experimenting with an earlier red, Vermilion.

I have found it easier to use in skin tones, actually it was Marvin Mattleson who turned me on to this. He shared his interpretation of Paxton's (Boston School) palette with us. I can't thank him enough for it, it has really helped me out.