Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Sparkle, a new portrait of my baby


Sparkle
7" x 9" watercolor portrait by Crystal Cook

Well, it's good to be back to my 'routine' watercolors. I love experimenting and trying new things, but close-up portraits are kind of like my artistic comfort food. They make me happy. They make me  feel at home.

This is yet another portrait of my youngest son when he was about six months old. That seemed to be the golden age where I could take a bazillion photos of him and he would always give me this soulful, melt-my-heart look.

Which means that I'll most likely never run out of subject matter for baby paintings.

I've also been thinking more about edges in my paintings and looking for ways to incorporate more lost, found and soft edges. I like the idea of having the eyes in the most focus and then the rest of the portrait painted a little more expressively.

This is of course more influence from dear Mr. Harley Brown. I feel like I've just went to the best workshop in the world since I started reading that book.

Have a great day everyone!

Posted by Crystal Cook at 6:13 AM
Labels: , , ,

24 comments:

  1. UnknownJanuary 11, 2011 at 6:31 AM

    Lovely work and I noticed those soft edges. great job.

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  2. Kim RempelJanuary 11, 2011 at 6:51 AM

    Stunning, stunning, stunning!!! The blues work beautifully against that luscious skin tone. Gorgeous mixes of soft and crisp : )

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  3. Carol BlackburnJanuary 11, 2011 at 7:17 AM

    Awesome, Crystal......as usual. :)

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  4. Stan HughesJanuary 11, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    Wow, look at those eyes.

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  5. Studio at the FarmJanuary 11, 2011 at 8:23 AM

    You DO create beautiful portraits, Crystal! I love the "lost and found" edges. Well done!

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  6. Carrie Waller WatercolorsJanuary 11, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    Beautiful!! Those blue eyes are piercing. Such a beautiful baby. I'll have to check out this book of yours, you're having way too much fun:) I want in on it:)

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  7. yashaJanuary 11, 2011 at 8:42 AM

    This is awesome! Fantastic work Crystal you are so good at painting kids.Those deep blue eyes sparkle.

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  8. Mermaid's PaletteJanuary 11, 2011 at 8:49 AM

    Beautiful, Crystal! I love the soft edges, and the skin tones next to the deep blues- perfect!
    Sheryl

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  9. JeannieJanuary 11, 2011 at 8:55 AM

    I love the idea of the soft edges! You DO eyes, so it just makes sense that that be the center of the painting. Also, I wonder if you are painting an equal amount of paintings of all your kids?

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  10. PrabalJanuary 11, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    Since last few minutes I have been searching for words....
    Could not find any..
    All I can say is I love this so much. I could keep looking at it.
    Well I got some terms now.. You can call this an atmospheric portrait. :)

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  11. MichelleJanuary 11, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    What a lovely painting. His eyes really do pop out at you with the rest of the edges being a bit softer. Very nice, Crystal!

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  12. suzanneberryJanuary 11, 2011 at 9:55 AM

    Oh my, another masterpiece! this is just stunning cyrstal! it's beautiful, simply beautiful! his eyes are luminous and the blues and skin tones along with your composition just make this a perfect painting!

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  13. hmuxoJanuary 11, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    Beautiful...The eyes are sparkly just like you named it! Perfect, as usual Crystal.!

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  14. John (JWJarts)January 11, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    In awe at the blending of your soft skin tones, and those eyes are magnificent.

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  15. CrystalJanuary 11, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    So adorable. I makes me smile! :-)

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  16. Jutta SmarsinskiJanuary 11, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    Wonderful contrast with the soft skin of baby's face and the dark blue color!

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  17. FranzJanuary 11, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    Beautiful! both the child and the painting!
    WoW!!!

    Ciao Crystal!

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  18. Karen Martin SampsonJanuary 11, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    Just utter sweetness! I love your handling of the light on the left side...wonderful expression!! Paying more attention to edges is going to open new painting worlds for you.

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  19. ArtiJanuary 11, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    You are so right! Some subjects are like chocolates to us artists..we can never have 'enough' of them!
    This one is wonderful as ever..love the blues against his fair and delicate skin.Bravo!

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  20. UnknownJanuary 12, 2011 at 3:40 AM

    Your work is amazing! I love the play of light in contrast to shadows in everything you paint!

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  21. Sandra BusbyJanuary 12, 2011 at 5:18 AM

    Gosh - Just as I think your paintings couldn't possibly get any more beautiful - you come up with this!!! My absolute favourite one of your, EVER!!!

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  22. DebbieJanuary 12, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    The sparkly eyes are there as well as your soft edges..... something I strive for in every painting! Beautiful, beautiful painting Crystal!

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  23. RoxyJanuary 12, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    I love this portrait of your son! I want to hang it on my wall, and smile at him each morning. The title is also apt. I feel sparkly and happy inside when I look at this painting.

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  24. Meera RaoJanuary 12, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    sparkle it does :) I will go looking for Harley Brown's book too. Now where are they issuing talent ? :)

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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!!

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