Sunday, June 21, 2009

Windows to the Words:Art Challenge



oil on canvas
9 x 12
Sold

This is my entry for James Parker's Windows to the Words Challenge.  The subject this month is old folks and wrinkles.  A friend of mine, Barbara Motter, has wonderful photos from her world travels, and kindly let me submit some for this challenge.  This is an old gentleman from Russia. Thank you, Barbara. Please visit the WTTW site to see the other entries, and also stop by James' blog to say hello.






Also thought I'd post the beginning stages. I roughed in with shades of burnt sienna, and then wiped out the highlights with a paper towel.  Then I came in with thin washes of more intense colors to establish rough value patterns and warms and cools.  

I hope that all of you Dads and Granddads had a Happy Father's Day!

83 comments:

Mi said...

Once again a beautiful painting! Great! Expressiv and - I want to meet this old man, he seems to be very nice ;-) Great job, Liz!!

antonio said...

Liz, this is a wonderful picture, I like the expressión and colors transmit me serenity.
I didn´t knew "Windows to the Words", i'll take a look.

Gregory Becker said...

Very nice piece. I like the early stage photos also.

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

Ooohhh, great Liz. The underpainting gives his face the nicest glow! Well done!

jsicignano2.blogspot.com said...

Once again Liz, you have managed to capture the wonderful expression of this old gentleman. Truly brilliant.

Ann Buckner said...

Beautifully expressive and so well painted. Sure admire your work!

Unknown said...

Hi Liz,
this is a great oil, i love the composition, the worm feeling of a gentle man. I am sure is 100 times better than the foto. Thank you for the explanation.

Unknown said...

I can almost feel those whiskers- they look so real! You definitely are a master painter of portraits, Liz. Another great painting. :-)

Paintings by Irit Bourla said...

always need to check your work twice. A photo or a painting?
Another great work Liz.The glow on his face amazing.
Nice to see the steps. Thanks for sharing.

Kathleen Coy said...

Liz, this is wonderful! The colors just glow. I am so drawn to this man. He seems so kindly. I want to sit down with him in this beautiful evening light and listen to his stories, because you can tell he is full of them! :-)

Angela Elledge said...

Hello Liz-This composition is right on...love the blocks of color in the background and the colors that are repeated throughout the entire painting. His kindness is evident and I am curious as to who he is visiting with; there is a story waiting to be told here.

Avocaken said...

A really beautiful rendition of the challenge photo! What can I say? You did GOOOOOOOD! :-)

Talk to you later...
Ken B.

PainterLee said...

Oh....the light above his ear and on his neck....how do you do that?! You are a rock star!

James Parker said...

Wow, Liz!!! This is magnificent. You are posted and linked...and I am (WTTW)honored by such outstanding artwork. Many, many thanks.

Carolina said...

Hi Liz!
Very beautiful painting, congratulations again :)
And thanks for posting the initial stages, that's so illustrative.
Best regards,
Carolina

Mona Diane Conner said...

Lovely work Liz, and thanks for sharing the process on this one.

Edward Burton said...

Incredible job, Liz! You really captured his character.

Leslie Saeta said...

Wow. Wow. Wow. Simply amazing my dear!

Debra Keirce said...

Liz, this is just beautiful! And you are another one of those artists whose WIP's are works of art in themselves. I wish I could do that!

Sandra Galda said...

this is gorgeous!

Vern Schwarz said...

Fabulous painting Liz. You captured him perfectly giving him warmth and life. Thanks for the glimpse of how you create these masterpieces.

Tracey Clarke said...

Beautifully painted, Liz. Nice painterly stlye and spot on technique, too...

Dana Cooper said...

Stunning Liz! Your portraits are really amazing and I appreciate the progression photos.

Carol Horzempa said...

Absolutely beautiful, Liz!

Gwen Bell said...

This is amazing, Liz. Glad you chose the man. Everyone seemed to gravitate toward the woman. Thanks for sharing the process...always so interesting to see how you get from one place to another!

David Larson Evans said...

Great painting!

FCP said...

simply stunning, Liz. I love everything about it.
Faye

L.Holm said...

Hi, Mi! thank you for your comments.

Greetings, Antonio. Thank you for visiting.

Thanks, Greg!

Thanks, Cathyann. Do you find in portrait work the more you study someone the more you feel you know them--even if you don't?!

Thank you Carol, Joan and Ann - hugs!

Hi, Mariano - I did warm the colors considerably, but the reference photo is excellent.

Thanks, Joanne - he sure is stubbly!

Hi, Irit - the underpainting definitely helps build a bit of glow.

Kathleen-thanks so much.He does have a kind face. Also thanks again for your help with posting multiple pictures. Next I'll work on trying to size them properly! lol.

Hi, Angela - there does seem to be a story here. He's so close to the picture frame, and talking to someone just "off screen."

Many thanks, Ken!! appreciate it!

Thanks, Lee - lots of layers of paint and scumbling! :-)

Many thanks, James. You are kind. thanks for hosting the challenge!

Mona, Edward, Leslie and Deb - my thanks to you for your comments.

Sandra - thanks for visiting :-)

Hi, Vern - always good to hear from you. You are kind.

Thanks, Tracey. Appreciate it. still working on getting to artomatic....

Thanks Dana and Carol.

Thanks, Gwen. I couldn't resist his face and that cap!
Plus I'm a sucker for back-lighting.

Hi, David - thanks for visiting. So is yours!

Hi, Faye. Many thanks. you are sweet.

artbyakiko said...

Beautiful painting! Interesting to see its first stage. I really love his expression. Wonderful job, as always.

Unknown said...

Liz! Beautifully done, the light is excellent and what a great character!

Cindi said...

awesome.. wonderful painting!!

Unknown said...

wow...beautiful job on this, Liz.

L.Holm said...

Thank you Akiko, Sam, Cindi and Deb - I appreciate your visiting and your comments always.

Renee said...

Liz all I can say is Wow.

You are such a fantastic artist. It is a real pleasure to look at your work.

Love Renee xoxoxo

Anonymous said...

stunning painting, how you have captured the light and shadows is exquisite. r.

Unknown said...

Wow!!! This is so wonderful! His warmth and wisdom seem to ooze from your painting. Great job Liz!!!!

Kerri Settle said...

This is stunning! Thank you for sharing the beginning stages with us, too!

Fábio Cembranelli said...

I agree with everybody...stunning painting,the light is perfect. Thanks for sharing the first steps..!

Jala Pfaff said...

Nice job, Liz.

L.Holm said...

Renee! Love back at you.
Sheila, Kerri, Fabio and Jala - thanks and hugs.

rob ijbema said...

never know what to expect coming here
that old man is glowing!
excellent liz

Dewberry Fine Art said...

This is pretty fabulous. You have a wonderful sense of light and warmth in this.

Marilyn M. King said...

My first and last reaction - WOW!
Love the light on the whiskers.

Michelle said...

Amazing work Liz! So much to love about this...but the light on his face is especially wonderful. Also enjoyed seeing the work in progress.

Dean H. said...

Wow! Totally stunning work, Liz! Loved your method of laying in with burnt sienna.
This guy looks exactly like my Dad who passed away in '88...eerie!

Gary Keimig said...

Wow Liz. This is a great piece. You are doing just super work.

L.Holm said...

Thank you, Rob! I appreciate your visits :-)

Dori-thanks for your comment.

Thanks, Marilyn - his whiskers were a challenge.

Thanks, Michelle- hugs.

Dean - that is eerie. I think I was channeling a bit of my Dad, too, truth be told! :-)

Gary, many thanks.

Barbara Muir said...

Isn't this beautiful! Thanks for sharing your process.

Take care,

Barbara

http://www.onpainting.wordpress.com said...

Very lovely - I liked seeing the steps as well, thanks for sharing.

Cyndy Carstens said...

Hi Liz,
Thank you for the wonderful compliments on my drawings. As always, your work inspires my heart. You have a way of capturing the spirit of person (even the ones you haven't met. I hope you are doing well and will email a note soon. Luv always, Cyndy

Riad said...

Hi Liz,
Great painting,very lovely.

L.Holm said...

Hi, Barbara! Thanks so much for your comments.

Thanks, Nancy - nice to meet you, too!

Bill, thanks for visiting.

(((Cyndy))) - thank you so much. Back at you.

Riad, thank you for your comments.

Carolina Elizabeth said...

Liz, you did such a fabulous job at showing this gentleman's character. I love how much tenderness it protrays. That is a talent that is not taught. It is just simply in you. Great work.

Manon said...

Wow Liz,
I don't know how I missed this one. Your work always blows me away! Thanks for sharing!

Chuck Dilmore said...

wow - he turned out fabulous!
almost photographic in realism!

great work!
Chuck

Sheila Wedegis said...

Absolutely beautiful Liz. Fantastic job!

Celeste Bergin said...

very fun to see the early stage photos along with the beauuutiful finished painting. Another home run!

Caio Fern said...

just beautiful !!!!

L.Holm said...

Carolina - thanks for visiting!
Manon- many thanks my friend :-)
thanks, Chuck!
Hi, Sheila - I appreciate it.
Celeste! You are sweet. thanks.
Hi Ciao. thank you!

Douglas Hoover said...

Hey Liz, what a wonderful portrait... you got this painting thing down! And look... A sold sign, too!

Linda Schuler said...

Found your blog through a friend. I just started to do portraits, which I find really hard to do. You have a gift. I love your art.

r garriott said...

Hi Liz, Nice to see a post from you again, too. Great portrait. Thanks for your kind comment.

Susan Carlin said...

Terrific!

Unknown said...

Hey Liz,
Just wondered how you are doing these days... just wanted to let you know I am thinking about you.

tonypetersart said...

Hi Liz,

Congrats on your sale, this piece has some nice simple color, I like it!

Jean Victory said...

A wonderful piece!

Kim VanDerHoek said...

WOW! Fantastic job! I love the composition and you painted it with just enough information without overdoing it. Beautiful!

Jala Pfaff said...

Damn, look how many comments you have! Woo-eeee!

I just gave you a blog award today.

Mi said...

And here is the next comment ;-)

Dear Liz, please visit my Mi-Art-Blue Blog and catch your Award!!!

Another award - wow, Liz, congratulations!!

Karen Bruson said...

Liz, Fabulous job! It is no surprise that it is sold.

Unknown said...

Wonderful work. Saw the post on Deb's blog...so came over to say Hi and have a look at your work.

It's just amazing.

Unknown said...

beautiful painting!

http://www.onpainting.wordpress.com said...

Liz, how are we coming on that next painting? I can't wait.

Don Coker said...

Great work, Liz!

www.doncokerart.com/blog

http://www.onpainting.wordpress.com said...

Liz - it is time to post a new painting.

Ray Shuell said...

A fine example of speaking volumes with very few words.

gianlucio said...

Hello Liz, Congratulations on the beautiful portrait!

http://www.onpainting.wordpress.com said...

Liz - are you still alive?

Antonio Barros said...

Wooow! This is amazing!!!!

thesingular.blogspot.com

L.Holm said...

Yep, still here, Bill!

Thanks, Antonio. Appreciate your kind words.

Paula Ilha said...

Wonderful!

lilly piri said...

This is extremely well painted and beautiful. It's also interesting to see your process, thanks for sharing!

Beverly Gurganus said...

This piece is beautiful and you captured his expression so well. I also think you portrayed his age without over doing it. Great Job!