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/

18 comments:

  1. 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!!!!

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  2. 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!!!

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

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

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

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  6. 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.

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

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

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

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

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  11. 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)

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

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  13. Beautiful girl indeed!

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  14. 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!

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  15. 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.

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

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

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

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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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