"Goggle Girl" - Oil on board

[UnRuli]

So, here is my next painting in my progression. I took a new class offered (Fantasy/Sci-Fi painting - the last painting I posted was the final result of that class) because the instructor of the class uses painting techniques that we haven't learned yet. This painting was not intended to be a completed painting, but was only meant to be a study to learn the technique and so it is very small (only 5" x 7") and was completed in November. It was painted on an Artistix board that I'd cut up and gessoed and was done from a photo of a co-worker's daughter. I didn't even leave room around the edges to allow for framing so I had to set up a floater frame for it.

The technique taught was a type of grisaille painting. The painting is done in a series of layers. Each layer begins with a wash of a dark color (Sommolier Van Dyke Brown in this case) that is smoothed out with a fluffy brush and allowed to set up a little so that it's a little tacky. Then whites are painted in to the paint and smoothed out to slowly develop 3-dimensional shape. I hate, hate, HATE taking the time to sit and mix an initial batch of color (if I ever become rich and famous I swear I'd hire someone to do it for me in a second!!) so this technique is VERY relaxing to me! After all the layers dry then color is glazed in. I was surprised at how little color I needed to make this image work!

Unfortunately, I've not been able to get a really accurate photo of this image. All of the photos and/or scans make the image look a little blotchy when in fact in real-life it's incredibly smooth and very flesh-like. The lips also photograph MUCH more red than they are in real life.

The bonus? I submitted this to a Regional show a few weeks ago and........last week I was notified that I now have my very first (non-student related) juried show placing.......I took SECOND! There is some pretty incredible work at this show. There are a lot of names I recognize that do VERY well at the juried shows in the area, several instructors from our school and a number graduate students too! I'm SO excited!! I guess it just goes to show that a work of art doesn't need to be big to get noticed!!

This image of it shows it as a little washed out but it's the closest to the smoothness of the painting that I could find.

[ElizabethsMom]

Wow! Great job! It looks like an actual photograph unless you look closely. That is fantastic

[thisbirdsabsurd]

You are becoming more talented by the day!  Awesome work!!!!!  (And congratulations on the show!!!!)

[jj83]

what an accomplishment, congrats! it's an awesome piece of work. *this rocks!*

[themuppet]

And a well-deserved award it is!  Absolutely fabulous job.  The colors are lush and wonderful!

[starbelly3]

  WOW! Perfection.

[FoxyBlue]

INCREDIBLE!!!! WOW!!!!!!

[Midnight Sun]

Congrats on your win!!!  I love the painting and you'd never know it was so small!!!  Her little grin is infectious!

[maxxev]

wow! amazing painting and congratulations!

[stykz]

  wow..

when i first saw the thumbnail beside the thread, i thought this was a photograph..

you are an amazing painter!