Thursday, April 12, 2012

So Serious - SOLD

'So Serious'
6" x 6" watercolor SOLD
$100 plus $7 US shipping or $15 International

I love this little girl's face. Her dark, sparkling eyes and her pouty lips. I love the subtle colors in her warm skin tones, and of course that pink helmet. She is a sweetheart. I just want to cuddle her.
But, man, was she hard to paint! This was my second attempt (the first one was on aquabord, which is dead difficult to work with, so I don't think that one should count) and it took me a long time, mostly because of the subtle value changes in her skin tones. That took a lot of careful observation, and planning, and then speedy execution. 

With a painting like this, there is absolutely no chance to go back in and move the paint around once you've laid in a wash. In order to get smooth, soft skin tones, you have to get in and get out. No overworking! Easier said than done right? Yeeeep. :)

I love that soft, diffused lighting, and I plan to use more of it in my portraits, because I love the sparkle it gives to the eyes, but it is tricky to paint. There's not a lot of clearly defined shapes so you have to really, really, reeeeealy look for them. 

She was quite a challenge but a good one. :) I really like this painting. 

Have a great rest of the week everyone! Huzzah!

Photo reference by Steve Evans. Thank you!


26 comments:

  1. Amazing skin tones and the eyes simply sparkle!! Absolutely magical!!

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  2. Oh my goodness, Crystal....I'm so glad to have found you.. You art work is simply divine! And I love painting people, and yours just jump into my heart.

    Thanks for coming by my Art Blog, and for your kind words... I did leave you a message there in my comments.
    I will be back.....for sure!

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    1. Why thank you very much Wanda! I was delighted to find your blog too. :) I will be back to see you as well.

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  3. I just want to kiss those fat little cheeks. Fabulous

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    1. Aww thanks Chris!! I want to kiss them too! :)

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  4. Goodness Crystal, she is awesome. Your talent continues to amaze me.

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  5. I am always impressed by your amazing facility with watercolour! Get in and get out, you say...that's why I like oil paint...I can fiddle if I want to!
    And I generally want to:-) Lovely painting of an adoreable little girl.

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  6. Gorgeous painting, Crystal! Your portraits with watercolor is amazing..! Her skin tones are perfect...and her sparkle in her eyes...Perfect!!

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  7. She is such a cutie and comes alive in your painting! Her chubby cheeks are flawless, the eyes are so expressive! And Those Lips -totally perfect :) To call it an 'Amazing painting' is an understatement !

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  8. Such beautiful skin tones, Crystal, and her eyes are superb!!! HUZZAH!!

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  9. What a sweet face. Your talent is astounding.

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  10. Oh she makes me feel like nuzzling my cheeks in to hers! You really know how to pick your models! And wow - what a painting! I have run out of words to say about them! You just keep knocking out master-pieces at the rate of knots! But always, the part that makes me melt is the eyes - you have a way with them like nobody else :0)
    I hate to say it, but today it was a good thing for me to read that this was your second attempt! I kind of needed to hear that from a talent like yourself! All will become clear when you read my post which I'll put on today :0)

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  11. Such a fantastic painting, I just want to reach out and touch her and I love hearing you talk about your process "get in and get out" far easier said than done for any of us :-)

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  12. I thought I commented on this one, but guess I was wrong. You do the eyes so well. Theoretically speaking its only about placing the highlights at the right place. But when actually doing it few are as good as you.
    Best wishes,

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  13. Wonderful portrait, Crystal, and clearly the first painting was just a warm-up for this one! Her eyes...just wow. And in watercolor, no less! One of these days, I would love to watch you paint a portrait :).

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  14. Absolutely gorgeous!!!! Skin tones are not easy and you are the master!

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  15. You can rightfully be very proud Crystal, it's an amazing portrait , masterfully done...and the little girl id adorable !

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  16. Fantastic, Crystal - those eyes, liquid, sparkling and perfectly done. I love your description of the 'risk taking' ... if there were no risk, there would be less point!

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  17. You do beautiful work!!

    I'm your newest follower, saw your blog on the Etsy blog team.

    my blog: http://allpatchedupquilts.blogspot.com/

    my Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AllPatchedUpQuilts

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  18. I know you like those pouty lips, but as usual I like the eyes. You always seem to get the eyes spot on. :)

    Have a good weekend!

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  19. Dear Crystal, how much I enjoy your art. It's really difficult to paint the softness of the skin of children, but you're a master at this. It is an exquisite work. I love it! The girl is very pretty.
    I wish you a happy Sunday

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  20. her eyes just draw you in ... you should be pleased with this one crystal ... beautifully captured .

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  21. Just incredible. She looks so real. You captured her perfectly!

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  22. Cyrstal...you couldn't paint this child's eyes or skin any better...just beautiful and really an emotional look in her eyes.

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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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