Little Girl Portrait: A New Commission

It is always exciting when I start a new portrait commission. It marks the beginning of a new challenge. The colors and setting for this painting will be completely different from the portrait of Elena that I just completed.

Now that the rough sketch with paint is done and I feel good about the composition, I'm ready to start laying colors down.  (As you can see in the third photo, I had fun rubbing the wet paint around with a cloth - just playing with the shadows a bit.)

These three photos show the progression of my first session.

Grace
16x20, oil on canvas
1st session

Portrait Of A Little Girl: Painting the Rug

Elena
oil on canvas, 16x20
7th Session

I am now at a place where I can stop and let this painting "rest" for a couple of weeks. Already I see minor changes that I want to make and am certain there will be others that I don't see yet. It feels good to be at this point - especially with the rug being much more challenging than I had expected it to be.

It was a busy week. I think I need to rest too.

Portrait Of A Little Girl: The Background

Elena
oil on canvas, 16x20
6th Session

I thought I would add these two photos that show the painting progression of her great grandmother's buffet. It serves as an interesting background in that it is detailed but does not overpower the subject.

Portrait Of A Little Girl: Tiny Feet and Wiggly Toes

Elena
oil on canvas, 16x20
5th Session

Portrait Of A Little Girl: Arms and Hands

Elena 
oil on canvas, 16x20
4th Session

Portrait of a Little Girl: The Dress

Elena
oil on canvas, 16x20
3rd Session

Portrait Of A Little Girl: The Face

Elena
16x20 oil on canvas
Second Session