Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Beautiful Girl


"Beautiful Girl"
original watercolor 10 x 14

     I took a little more time with this painting. I could see that it was headed in the direction I wanted to go and I didn't want to rush it and make a mistake. I'm happy with it, I think it captured what I was trying to express.

     My niece is at the age where she's in between, not quite adult, but not a child either and I wanted to try and capture some of that transition here.

     I was captivated by her fresh, glowing skin tones, the pattern of shadows across her face, and the way the sun lit up her hair. I also really  loved her expression. She knew I was trying to get a picture of her and I caught her just as she glanced over at me, before she had time to pose or hide her face, but she's obviously humoring me. I think you can see a little of that in her eyes. She's such a beautiful girl, inside and out. :)

      I've fallen behind on my schedule of blog posts, this week is going to be a little different. Sketchbook Tuesday is going to be on Thursday, but everything else should stay the same. I'm starting a new painting today for my WIP post tomorrow. It's always so exciting to start something new, don't you think?

     And one last thing before I go. Our fellow blogger and talented photographer, Rachel Roushy, is having a contest to celebrate her 100th photo of the day post. You can win one of her photos, how awesome is that?! You can find her blog here: http://www.rachelsopenawindow.blogspot.com/

Posted by Crystal Cook at 11:27 AM
Labels: , ,

18 comments:

  1. Jenny LeeAugust 17, 2010 at 9:34 AM

    Oh this is by far my favorite painting you have ever done. Of course I love it because it's my girl. But it's how you caught that teenage spirit that is so her right now. You are amazing!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Carrie Waller WatercolorsAugust 17, 2010 at 10:08 AM

    It is true, you did capture the "teen spirit" in this painting. She's going to love it!!! How lucky is she to have an Aunt that can give her such a wonderful gift. Once again, terrific skin tones! Just beautiful!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. RachelAugust 17, 2010 at 4:39 PM

    Beautiful painting, very well done. You really captured the moment.

    ReplyDelete
  4. MichelleAugust 17, 2010 at 5:17 PM

    It's beautiful, Crystal! The painting is really fresh and nice.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Meera RaoAugust 17, 2010 at 5:18 PM

    I love the light and shadows on her face and her eyes are lovely! beautiful skin tones too :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ann BucknerAugust 17, 2010 at 6:46 PM

    You have a lovely niece and those fresh skin tones. What I really enjoy is the way you paint the shadows and seamless transitions in values.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Kim RempelAugust 17, 2010 at 6:56 PM

    Ah Crystal, beautiful! You DID capture that stage and her look is perfect. Again...the glow....!

    ReplyDelete
  8. PrabalAugust 17, 2010 at 10:27 PM

    Oh. What can I say!!!
    You have inspired me to do a portrait now..

    ReplyDelete
  9. Art with LizAugust 17, 2010 at 11:38 PM

    What a beautiful fresh vibrant portrait! Love portraits in watercolour.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dhiraj Deka (D.D)August 18, 2010 at 3:34 AM

    Wonderful portrait. Eyes, lips, lights & shadows... every part of this painting captured/done very brilliantly.

    ReplyDelete
  11. SandraAugust 18, 2010 at 5:52 AM

    You have captured her thoughts as well as her expression just beautifully as you always do. I think that inbetween age is the hardest to draw, but clearly not for you :0)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Nureeya PanichnokAugust 18, 2010 at 8:54 AM

    You're successful with this painting, Crystal...
    All over this portrait is perfect particularly her eyes; they are eloquence...
    Excellent!!!!, my friend:)

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousAugust 18, 2010 at 9:36 AM

    Beautiful girl indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Crystal CookAugust 18, 2010 at 10:00 AM

    Thanks so much Jenny Lee, I'm so glad you like it :) I really hoped you would.

    Thanks Carrie! Her skin tones really came together well I think.

    Thanks Rachel and Michelle! :)

    Thank you meera! The light was just captivating! I'm a sucker for good sunlight :)


    Thank you Anne, very, very much :) That means a lot to me.

    Thanks so much Kim!!:)

    Thanks Prabal!

    Thank you very much Liz!

    Thank you so much D.D.! What a nice compliment!

    Thanks Sandra! I think it's hard too, but this time it just kind of flowed. Now if only it would do that EVERY time! ;)

    Thanks so much Nureeya! I hope you're doing well friend!

    Thanks Elizabeth!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Karen Martin SampsonAugust 18, 2010 at 11:43 AM

    Every one has already stated the very thoughts I have about this painting - so, again, DITT0! You have such a fresh, clean approach to watercolour portrait painting. I think you would love the work of fellow
    Canadian Institute of Portrait Artists Fellow member, Tatjana Mirkov-Popovicki. I was in an invitational portrait show with her and three other artists last spring - Her work is incredible being in watercolour as is yours.

    ReplyDelete
  16. UnknownAugust 18, 2010 at 11:46 AM

    You have a real talent at capturing the light Crystal, beautiful portrait.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Leslie Lambert Redhead August 20, 2010 at 6:57 AM

    The colors are stunning! Beautifully done. This is one of my favorites.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Krista HassonAugust 20, 2010 at 11:42 AM

    Absolutely beautiful (the painting and the subject) you have a wonderful style and the love definitely shines through :)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment they really do mean so much to me! Because not all bloggers have their email enabled so I can reply directly through email I will try to reply here in the comments. If I don't please forgive me, life must have been hectic that day! :)) Huzzah!!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
Related Posts with Thumbnails