Recent watercolor

[Linda Nelson]

Hi all,

Here's a recent watercolor commission. It's 24" x 21", painted from a photo I took for the project.

Although I wish I would have clarified the dark background behind the forearm, I have to say I was really happy with the outcome. The subtle color qualities in the faces -- I don't have a digital file good enough to show a close-up, but the face of the boy on the left had a kind of Bouguereau-ish softness to it.

The client was so happy with the result, she "unveiled" it for her husband while having a party of 100 guests at their house, and they display it in the foyer instead of the bedroom where it was originally intended.

Thanks for letting me share the fun, and of course please give me your criticism. There's a lot of great talent here and I'd like to be amongst it one day.

Linda

[Denise Hall]

Linda,

Your drawing is very strong and the natural soft coloring is very nice. I think rounding out with more shadow toward the back of the arms and legs would help, but it's very nice just the way it is -- sensitive and soft.

I would push the background back a little more, maybe even create a little drama with the sky. The one boy has a pensive expression and that would enhance it.

Remember, I am definitely not one of the pros, but I wanted to congratulate you on a very nice painting. I also like your new one you posted in oil critiques.


Sincerely,

[Jean Kelly]

I'm not a professional either, just a wannabe. But I really like this, I smiled immediately. I'm looking forward to seeing more.

Jean

[Mari DeRuntz]

Beautiful, sensitive piece, Linda. Tell me about your decision to use watercolor for this commission; I'm curious.

I would recommend you have slides made of your work (local photo labs will shoot them for very reasonable fees if you only have a digital camera). Most portrait competitions require slide submissions, and it would be a shame to not have this as part of your professional arsenal.

[Linda Nelson]

Hi, Mari,

To answer your question, last summer, the client saw another painting of mine and wanted something similar of her two boys. (I've attached a photo of the original painting.)

At the photo shoot, she deliberated "upgrading" to an oil (the cost would have been more), but we both felt that that pose and feel was more appropriate for a watercolor. The casualness and lightness of watercolor was more suitable for the summertime/shorts/scruffy hair the mother was hoping to have in her boys' portrait.

I've pondered (using a different pose from the same photo shoot) doing an oil for myself.

Playing on the regal calm of their expressions would make a great "English" looking oil painting in my opinion.

Thanks for the question.

Linda

[Sergio Ostroverhy]

About the first aquarelle: I love the finesse of the contact of the faces with the background. However it is pity for the sky... its color is too violent and aggressive comparing to the delicate foreground. I would use a smooth

[Linda Nelson]

Salut,

Yes, one challenge I have is to have the patience and attention as much with the surroundings as I do with the subjects. I lose interest, and it shows.

I am currently working on two paintings where I am intently trying to stay as committed to the background as much as the subject.

The last time I was in Paris I saw an exhibition of Picasso. I love his work, and personally, one aspect that I saw in his work is that he too seemed to have little patience for "completing" a work - for example his Olga painting or of his son Carlos in the harlequin outfit. He leaves out the finishing the background, and will even not complete the subject themselves (i.e. limbs). I think that his cubist period for him was a real breakthrough in that regard - a successful way to incorporate the background in the the composition - make it part of the subject! Anyway, I'm certainly not Picasso, but I found solice in seeing how he makes a successful painting while conceeding to his impatience to "complete" a work.

I'm still working out my own style on what to do with the surroundings.

Thanks for the comments Sergio.

Linda

[Jeanine Jackson]

No wonder they love this! The boys are treated with great sensitivity and detail, while the splashy background stays back where it belongs.

[Josef Sy]

Linda, congratulations! Very nice piece.

[Linda Nelson]

Thanks, Janine and Josef

It's so addictive to paint - with each outcome you get to see the the triumphs and the challenges - and it just make you salivate to start the next one so you can apply what you've learned.

Long live Painting!