Monday, December 14, 2009

DSFDF - Portrait Assignment

This beautiful lady is an artist. I don't know her name but she was my Different Strokes From Different Folks end of the year assignment. Each artist who wanted to participate in the challenge sent Karin Jurick a photo of themselves and Karin then made anonymous assignments to each artist by trading the photos.

I had fun painting her - she has a beautiful smile that reaches her twinkling eyes. I really should get some portrait pastels so I'd have more of the flesh tones that I need but I made do with what I had. I think it looks better in real life - sometimes the scanner just doesn't like pastels.
I hope she likes it and thinks it looks enough like her that someone would recognize her.
Ecclesiastes 3:12 (New International Version)
I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.

27 comments:

Pattie Wall said...

Teeth - you did the teeth - so well! What a nice smile and friendly face! You did great with the pastels you have. Her green eyes are all alight! Congratulations!

Angela Elledge said...

Beautiful portrait, Karen. When I clicked on your painting to enlarge it, these crystal clear green eyes filled up my screen, Wow!

Carolina said...

Karen,
I didn't know your were so good at portraits too :) And I have to agree, the eyes are very beautiful "crystal clear green"
Best regards,
Carolina

Carolina said...

Of course I had forgoten all the other great portraits you've done (and that I have seen on this blog)... but, what can we expect from a tired mom at 9:34 p.m. with a very bad memory (well, not that bad, I have remembered!)
Well, I'm so tired I'm not feeling all the embarrassed I should...
Best regards :)
Carolina

Gwen Bell said...

You really did an excellent job on this very challenging assignment! The portrait radiates such a beautiful glow. I know your Portrait Partner will be thrilled with this gorgeous portrayal!

Vern Schwarz said...

Great portrait Karen. I think you did a great job on the flesh tones, and gave this portrait a warm and fresh feeling.

Claire Beadon Carnell said...

You've done a fantastic job on this - it radiates personality. Beautiful skin tones!

Ann Rogers said...

Those beautiful green eyes just jump off the page..great entry with beautiful skin tones.

Maria Kovalenko Leysens said...

There is so much life in this portrait. Great Job!

Anne Marie Propst said...

Good job. Beautiful pastels!

Karen Hargett said...

Hi Pattie - I did teeth! LOL - they are so hard for me to do and to look natural ;-) She really did have great sparkling eyes so had to work to get that down on the paper. I'm glad you like it.

Angela - Thank you and thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting. I probably should resize that larger image but just haven't done it.

Carolina thank you. Just for the record I haven't done that many pastel portraits ;-) probably less than 10 and I'm thinking it's closer to 5. I hope you can get some rest - but with small children that might be impossible for a while ;-)

Hi Gwene - Thanks and thanks for stopping in. I really hope my portrait partner likes it. It's not exact but hopefully close enough.

Thank you Vern! That means a lot to me.

Thanks so much Claire and thanks for stopping by my blog.

Hi Ann - thank you very much. I hope she will like it.

Thank you Maria - your comment really means a lot to me - I really tried hard to capture the life from the photo. Thank you for your comment and for stopping by my blog.

Anne Marie - thank you and thanks for stopping by.

You all have just made my day to receive such positive comments. Thank you all!

Paintings by Irit Bourla said...

Great job on this one. Smile and teeth are superb!
Big WOW to you.

Dana Cooper said...

This is a wonderful portrait Karen...like the others have said, it is full of life and personality!

artbyakiko said...

This is great! Her happy smile and beautiful eyes make the painting come alive. You've done a wonderful job!

Barbara Pask said...

Beautiful Karen, you are amazing with those pastels, lol.

Unknown said...

Nice , bright and clear work . Like the shirt.

Karen Hargett said...

Thanks so much Irit - teeth are always a challenge for me. Thanks for visiting my blog.

Dana thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to comment and visitn my blog.

Hi Akiko - thank you. I really think eyes are the key to both animals and people ;-)

Hey Barb - thanks. I really like pastels a lot.

Rishi - thank you for stopping by and commenting. I like the shirt too - denim is fun to do.

Amanda Lovett said...

Thanks so much for your kind words! Great job on this, it's so alive and cheerful! Really love your work!!

dominique eichi said...

She looks so fabulous. That shirt is so perfect. Her eyes glow.....wonderful

Edward Burton said...

WONDERFUL job with the portrait, Karen.

Rebecca Watkins said...

I know who this is! It's me!!!

You nailed my eyes! Everyone I showed it to recognized me right away from them. Great job on my hair too...it looks better in your picture than in real life!
My portrait of Karen was sent to Karin this morning and it's already up on the site!
What a fun project!

Karen Hargett said...

Hi Amanda - thank you so much and thanks for visiting.

Hey Dominque - thank you. I had fun doing this.

Thank you Edward - that means a lot!

Rebecca Watkins - THANK YOU! I'm so glad you like it. I know it isn't an exact likeness but was hoping it was close. You do have the most beautiful, laughing eyes.

I saw my portrait you did a great job on it - I'm very impressed!

tracie brown said...

great job karen!

Lauren Maurer said...

I think this looks wonderful!

Karen Hargett said...

Tracie thank you so much and thank you for dropping my by my blog!

Thanks lauren and thank you too for stopping in and commenting.

Dean H. said...

Beautiful, Karen! Your portrait emits great light and personality. Those eyes give a glimpse into the beauty of a human spirit!

Karen Hargett said...

Hi Dean - thank you. Your words have touched my heart. I hope you are recovering and doing well.