'I'm always looking for the Hows and the Whys and the Whats,' said Muskrat, 'That is why I speak as I do. You've heard of Muskrat's Much-in-Little, of course?'
'No,' said the child. 'What is it?'
- The Mouse and his Child. Russell Hoban.

Go here to find out more.

Saturday, 31 March 2012

Dijea's Photo Challenge. 'Portrait'


I'm cheating a bit today because it's a painting not a photo, so not strictly meeting the parameters of the challenge.

This is the portrait of my sister Jane that I recently completed. I especially tried to capture her lovely clear, pale complexion.
It was meant to be for her 50th Birthday, but has taken me two years to do. I was especially
hard on myself because I know this lady so well, and wanted to express the spontaneous honesty that she always shows, and also the joy for life that she has recently found with her new partner as well as, of course, getting a good likeness.




This was my main reference image:


6 comments:

  1. Bernard3.4.12

    That is amazing, Katherine.
    And then I noticed that no one had left any comments? Was blogger down?
    I cannot paint or draw faces - for 'Love nor Money'. I have tried, and yes, they have one nose and two eyes in the right places - but they are not a true likeness.
    I think that painting is fantastic! It makes my wee sketch of Wesley look like an eleven year old first art lesson.
    Well done!
    Cheers....Bernard

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  2. Kate3.4.12

    Thank you Bernard, (and welcome to TLVD!).
    I am not very humble about this painting. I'm right chuffed, actually! :-)
    And, most importantly, Jane is very pleased with it too. It was a surprise, as it was so long ago that I took the reference photos, I think she'd forgotten it was ever going to be done!

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  3. Kate3.4.12

    PS, I don't think my regulars have noticed this post as I did it retrospectively. I'm supposed to do a post a day (NaBloPoMo) but I missed this day and had to cheat and come back to it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. GB3.4.12

    I missed it first time round but caught it last night via Reader and wondered what had happened. You have every reason to be reet chuffed because it captures all that you set out to capture with great clarity. The choice of background is not one I would have dreamed of but it also works to perfection.

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  5. Kate3.4.12

    Thank you Geeb. I tried a myriad, a rainbow, nay a cornucopia, of background colours and textures, and the only one that really worked was this light, dusty lavender. Worked with her pink-rose complexion, as well as the dark prussian blue jacket, without dominating.

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  6. Kate3.4.12

    PPS. Bernard - your Wesley drawing is very good. I said so on your blog, I think.

    ReplyDelete

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