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Phoebe

 
 

"Phoebe," 9" x 12," a posthumous portrait done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a beloved companion. Phoebe's painting has a home, thank you, butlet me know if you would like something similar starring your own best friend.

 
You can view in process pics of Phoebe's portrait on the studio's Facebook page - I started her yesterday afternoon (November 26th, 2012)

 
While it's no secret that I love saturated color, I also love the challenge of working tonally in softer hues. Phoebe's portrait gave me a perfect excuse to hone my modeling skills using subtle tonal and temperature shifts.

 
And lots of room for abstracted brushwork, too.

 
Now I'm off to drive The Princess to ballet class,
Kim, who is remembering the dozens of white-on-white still lifes she painted to learn subtle value shifts and the Color of White 

 
References


Photo references are merely a starting point. They do not provide all the information needed to create a lifelike portrait - that is up to the artist! Besides, if we already have this fabulous photo, why try and recreate it meticulously?

 
When I paint, I use the photos to gather my likeness, then put them away, and complete the painting using my own resources - visual memory (relying on actual real-life scenarios of similar subjects) and creative license (enhancing color and modifying non-likeness specific details to improve upon the composition).

 
Like that smidge of pink at the bottom edge? Totally intentional. It creates a dramatic triangle stretching across the painting (the ears to the bottom center) that roughly corresponds with the cat's body shape (face and stretched out legs) and perfectly frames her face, underlining the focal point.


 
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Comments

  1. Diana Moses Botkin3:19 AM

    What a lovely piece, Kimberly. I especially appreciate the way you pushed the color and light in your painting of this beautiful girl.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kimberly Kelly Santini11:16 AM

      Diana, that's a high compliment, coming from you. Thank you so, so much!! Hope your painting is going well - hugs, Kim

      Delete

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