Friday, January 02, 2009

Portrait of Chelsie Brady~

Chelsie Brady
10" x 14"
Pastel on Black Strathmore Paper

Reference photo of Chelsie Brady

First of all, my portraits are few and far between and usually done of my children. When the "Different Strokes from Different Folks" painting challenge announced that we would be doing portraits of each other, it took a long time for me to sign up. I knew I would struggle with the portrait. Karin sent me this wonderful dramatic photo and I felt I had gotten so lucky ~ I could do this. I did not know who the young artist was until she posted her painting of me. Chelsie Brady is very gifted and so lucky to have started painting so young. She will have many years of painting to enjoy! Thank you Chelsie for doing such beautiful work on my portrait! This was fun and I am so glad I participated.

Of note, I did not realize how hard it was to get a good quality photo of a pastel portrait on black paper. I tried several different lighting situations to get a good quality photo without much success. I can't wait for Chelsie to see it in person (it is not so fuzzy).

Up next! I am finishing a requested small Big Bird painting and then I will be painting everything that pops into my head!

Thanks so much for stopping by~ visit the Different Strokes from Different Strokes blog to see the 130 artists who participated.

Torrie


8 comments:

Chelsie Brady said...

Thank you, Torrie! I think it's marvelous! You've inspired me to try pastels, I think. Thanks for everything- it's been a pleasure being paired with you.

Michael 聖 Brady said...

Very nice!

Vern Schwarz said...

Torre, you did a very nice job on this portrait. The reference photo is quite dramatic with all the dark shadows, and I think your interpretation is all the more impressive considering this. Isn't the photography part a pill though?

Torrie Smiley said...

Michael,

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. Your wife is lovely and very kind~ Best wishes in the New Year to the both of you!

Torrie

Torrie Smiley said...

Vern!

Thank you so much for visiting my blog! It was such a joy to paint Chelsie. I chose the black pastel paper hoping to capture the drama of the photogaph, but instead I ended up with a very soft subtle likeness.

Now, I thought I was quite the master at photographing my paintings for the internet. How arrogant of me! This painting has really put me in my place. Back to the drawing board...literally!

Torrie

Marian Fortunati said...

What a dramatically lit portrait!!
Great job...
Karin's challenge sure inspired a lot of wonderful art!

VickiRossArt said...

Torrie, you did a great job on this dramatic photo! Can't wait to look more at your blog!

Kari Tirrell said...

I'll bet this is awesome in person! Great job. :)