I chose her because I liked her slightly pouty expression and sexy hair, and the inclusion of her hand; but somehow she just wouldn't do what I wanted. I repainted her pupils twice and changed the highlights three times, but I simply couldn't get her to look at me, although in the photo the model is staring straight at the viewer and I did my best to exactly mimic placement of pupils and highlights. This is an ongoing frustration when doing portraits, and it would drive me crazier if I didn't know that it happens to even the best portraitists (like my FB friend Sassa, who painted 100 portraits in 100 days last year and says that occasionally she, too, just can't get her model's attention, no matter what).
I also had a lot of trouble with the paint today, which I blame on the heat. It has been 100+ degrees for what seems like aeons now, although it can only have been a couple of weeks? Anyway, stuff dried before it was blended, paint developed ridges that wouldn't smooth out when painted over...basically a somewhat frustrating day to paint. Looking at the scan, I think I also should have added more of the pinky color into the arm. Well, maybe later—it's time for dinner!
I do like the color combo on this one, and how the background ended up working. And bottom line, every one is practice.
"Merle"—charcoal, acrylics, Stabilo All, on Fluid 140-lb. coldpress watercolor paper, 9x12 inches.
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