Portrait of Two Boys

Portrait of Two Boys, 11x14", painted by Patricia Bennett, 2015

I was hired by the boys' mother to make this very sweet painting based on her photograph.  The scene is in Massachusetts.

The painting is 11x14", on paper, and will be 16x20" once it is framed.

Sketch of Two Boys, by Patricia Bennett

It is painted in an impressionistic style, with most of the brushwork focused on the center of interest, the two boys holding hands.

The finished painting was mailed last week, flat, with a cardboard backing enclosed in a lucite sleeve.  Enclosed were also a couple of handmade greeting cards with the image attached to them.

Back of Girl

11x14, Girl Back, in progress, acrylic on paper, Patricia Bennett

I started this yesterday at the model session at Zoll's.  Below is the preliminary sketch. 

Preliminary sketch for Girl Back, 5x7", graphite on paper, Patricia Bennett

Juliana

Juliana, 14x17, acrylic on paper, Patricia Bennett

This is the second sitting on Juliana.  It was lots of fun.  She sat very still.

Today I cleaned up things, eliminated the yellow, added a rose and a small nose ring and a necklace.  She likes green and requested a green shirt.  So, it's green now.

The dark background makes her face come forward more.

Juliana next to her portrait, a photograph, Patricia Bennett

Thank you Juliana!  She keeps the portrait, and I got the experience.

Juliana, first sitting

Juliana, first sitting, acrylic on paper, 14x18, Patricia Bennett

My neighborhood model sat for me today.  I got the drawing in, then started the painting.  She's coming back tomorrow.

Acrylic is a delicate balance between too thick and too thin.  Also, I will redo the background to make it "match" the shading on her face.  And the yellow that I covered the entire thing in is...  Not sure why I did that, except that she mentioned Australia.

Cousin, painted

Cousin Painted, 9x12, acrylic on paper, Patricia Bennett

I added paint on top of my drawing (the drawing was posted earlier on the blog).  Acrylic turns out to be pretty flexible for this style of painting.

Today we looked at Bonnat portraits at the Walters Museum.  Bonnat used small brushstrokes and powerful lights and darks.  His portraits are textural and very strong.

I also got photos of my model for a "corporate" portrait.  We're figuring out the pose.  It'll be 30x40.

Cindy

Cindy, 14x18, acrylic on paper, Patricia Bennett

 Cindy sat for me for three hours today.  She sat still, which was very helpful.

I began by doing a preliminary sketch on a small piece of paper to capture some gesture.  Then, I did a careful drawing (below).  On top of the drawing, I did a wash, then added color.  I made the colors almost monotone.

Cindy Drawing, 14x18, graphite on paper, Patricia Bennett

Thank you Cindy!

Mac, finished

Mac, 11x14, acrylic on paper, Patricia Bennett

One of my neighborhood portraits, completed.  This one took two sittings.

He has agreed to sit for a half-length, 30x40" portrait.

Madeline

Madeline, 11x14, acrylic on paper, Patricia Bennett

My neighborhood model sat for me today for three hours.  First I drew her carefully in pencil.  Then, I used paint.  I wanted my colors to be harmonious.

She was a lot of fun to paint.

In return, she kept the portrait.

Mac, 11x14", acrylic on paper, Patricia Bennett

Mac generously sat for me today.  This isn't quite done.  This week he will come back and I will fix his mustache and give him blue eyes and refine his features.

3am Portrait, 11x14, acrylic on paper, Patricia Bennett

 A night sketch.  I think I need a new model.  This one doesn't sit still.

Roxie, 22x22, acrylic on paper, Patricia Bennett

Finally done with Roxie.

Midnight Princess, 11x14, acrylic on paper, Patricia Bennett

This model moved whenever I did.  It was very challenging.

"Tuesday Night", 11x14", acrylic, Patricia Bennett

A live model.  I limited my colors and looked at black and white for contrast.

Ellen

"Ellen" 11x14", acrylic on paper, Patricia Bennett

Today one of my generous neighbors sat for her portrait.  She sat from 9 to 1:30.  The background colors are based on the view out of the window of a Japanese maple, grass and sky.

I used acrylic paints.  They are simple, compared to the sleek and extremely demanding oils.  They dry fast, so the painting is really done as soon as I am done; they don't emit vapors; they are very easy to clean.  I use red, blue, yellow, white, and black, and naples yellow hue paint, Utrecht brand.
And I use two brushes, a round and a detail.

She left with her portrait, as that's the deal: I get a model and the model gets the portrait.