Portraits

                                            This is a portrait I have recently completed in oils.

Technologies can do a lot of things but there is nothing like the richness of oils from beginning to end. At least that's my take as an artist. Although, the image shown here is non comparable to the one that is in front of my eyes in the studio.

Since my early beginnings in art I've always been intrigued with the challenges of portraits. I've looked back on my early trials (and fumblings) and of late I have been studying more and showing more improvement with my beloved medium-oils.

My portrait endeavor began with pet portraits using pastel simply by studying books and getting the feel of pastels.

This pastel is titled "Swingin'" which I took a photo from a cat book and replicated it in soft pastel using Mi-Tientes colored pastel paper. Dated 2006.

Then I ventured into pencil portraits. With the guidance of my wonderful mentor and teacher Ms. B. Martin who was the chief Forensic Artist at the Oakland County Sheriff's Dept. in Michigan.

This was a commissioned piece. The client desired to have her little boy's wish of being a conductor come true. Practice, practice, practice. At this point in my early milestones I still wasn't satisfied with myself as an artist. So among the landscapes and flowers I felt there was something more. Then I came to learn of Rick Corbett .

Rick Corbett is a graphite portrait artist in Massachusetts. I saw his work in pencil and was blown away. I knew I wanted to create beautiful portraits just like him.

This portrait was created in 2015

I truly enjoy creating pencil portraits. Each is unique and surprising capturing the emotion and freezing it in a single moment. That is exciting. But there still seemed to be something more. Study Study. Practice Practice.

I came to learn of Ben Lustenhouwer. Mr. Lustenhouwer has some marvelous painting videos which are on his site as well as you-tube. He has a soft and open method of teaching which is easy for me to grab onto. I was anxious to try my brush. I went and purchase a package of canvas board. Cheap (not ideal) but I wanted to practice. Hence I had completed the portrait of my youngest girl.

When I look at this, I see in her all the things I had wanted to be.  

If you are yearning to create beautiful portraits I hope the links I have posted give you new energy to push through the fear.

If you would like some coaching give me a shout. Should you be interested in commissioning a painting by me also "give me a shout" or you may find more information on my website at http://www.artistllindall.com

Thank you for stopping by.

Happy Painting