Portrait Painting

poHere is a nice portrait that I recently finished with progression pics! I really enjoyed this one because I got to make up the background as well as "retouch" the face because the original photo had been damaged somewhat as you can see in the original photos. This was a gift for the clients friend, who's mother had passed away when he was young and he really on had a few pictures of her. It was a real pleasure not only to paint this, but give someone a very special personalized gift. I almost enjoyed giving this one away as much as I did painting it. Turnaround for this was about three weeks once I got some higher quality photos.

Original pics sent through email:






Work in progress:






















Final, ready to deliver:

Website finished

wiremanarts.com redesigned and running

I've been trying to get the site designed this past month, but as I'm self taught things tend to take a little longer than expected. I'm really happy with it and I learned a lot about Flash and actionscript, but I still haven't made the full move over to Flash. Most of the elements were made in fireworks and the galleries created with flash. Took a lot longer that way, but I think they look nice. I still might create some loading bars, but as long as it's working I'm happy. I need some feedback so let me know if links aren't working properly, any glitches or whatever else you may find. Constructive criticism appreciated.

Orchid in Pencil

Here is the second flower drawing for April. I'm pretty happy with it so far. I might add in a little background branch, but I'm not sure yet. If she doesn't want it then I'll just consider the drawing complete so I can move on to my next portrait project.

nearly finished:


final drawing:

Orchid Drawing For April - Colored Pencil

I've been working on this colored pencil drawing for April. She needed some art for her website, so I have been drawing orchids this week. I really like how this one turned out. My next one is already started, it is a pencil drawing. We are creating flowers in different mediums so customers know what exactly we can do for them. April is also working on an acrylic painting.

Photos:

Been a While

Here is the update friends. Sorry I have been busy lately with running and designing and all the things that need to be done to turn April and I's ideas into reality.

• I nearly have my website ready to go, just need to work out a few kinks and it'll be all set

• Pricing Guidelines are finished

• My art teaching license is now renewed for 5 years
  

• April is meeting with a wedding agency that will display her invitation work to new brides

• I may also be able to do portraits and caricatures for the agency as well

• I have a new commissioned portrait that I'm working on
  

• My first marathon is just around the corner!

So I do apologize for not updating. I will try to be better about not forgetting to update. There is a lot going on now, so I will try and post updates at least once or twice a week at minimum. Have a great day.

Wedding Caricature - Fishing Theme

Our friend Jessica was getting married and she wanted something special. She didn't really want a photograph, but something more fun that was completely original. So she commissioned me wanting caricature of her and her husband to be in some sort of fishing theme. I immediately came up with two ideas in my head and told her it would all be taken care of. She was great and totally put her faith in me that I would deliver something special, what an awesome client!

Sketching:

I started off with some basic sketches, just trying to get their faces down. Then I did a thumbnail sketch of what the theme might look like. I did a lot of other little sketching too like figuring out how the hands would look. I did these with pen. I like pen because it doesn't smear like pencil. I wasn't totally happy with Jessica's face at this point, but these sketches are more of a warm up so I knew what needed to be changed for the next step.




Finishing the Sketch in pencil:
I got all the basic structure down. I wasn't happy with Bobby's eyes and a few various other things, so you can see where I changed them before I drew the final lines with a dark marker in the next picture.


Linework:
I normally only work in pencil, so it was kind of new for me to figure out the line weight (thickness of the lines) using a marker. I was a little hesitant at first, but it came along nicely.




In progress:













Receiving at the Rehearsal:
Bentley really wanted to go with us so he tried to hide in the small carry-on bag.


Jessica and Bobby were so excited



April and Jessica:



At the Wedding Reception:
What a great couple!

Portrait for Kerri and Jamie

Another portrait in acrylic. They had a really good photo to work from so I didn't have to change a whole lot. Sometimes I will get either a small photo or some snapshot that is out of focus so was able to just have fun painting rather than working out a good composition.

Commisioned Portrait

Here is a commissioned portrait approximately 8x10" in size. Painted with acrylic.