Saturday 15 January 2011

Ends and Beginnings

Oil 40x50 cms

This has been a week of finishing projects and starting new ones.  At the beginning of the week I finally finished this portrait of my daughter.  This is a painting that I have been doing at my art class.  I was forced out of my comfort zone as I am not comfortable with portraits...it's so obvious when you get it wrong!
But after much moaning and nearly binning it several times I managed to get it done in the end.  This thanks to the other members of the class and of course the teacher.

I also had a go at making my own sketchbook.  It's not perfect, a bit wonky here and there, but it's the right size and filled with my favourite paper.






I have decided to use it to sketch the area around my house, lets say within walking distance.  One of the reasons I started this blog was to do just that, hence the name ....down a dusty lane.  I have done some sketches from near my home before, but now they have their own book.



This is the first sketch, still a work in progress.  The first pages I am saving for a view of my house from the lane, but this is the view from the side of the house and from the spare bedroom window.

I have been following Cathy Johnson's new blog Artists' Journal Workshop and I feel inspired to keep a journal of some sort.  A record of where we live and the changing seasons will be something to treasure in years to come.

Don't forget you have just one day left to leave a comment on my January giveaway.  Here
I will announce the winner tomorrow Sunday 16th January.

20 comments:

Unknown said...

Congratulations on persevering with the portrait. It's lovely.

I look forward to see your dusty lane sketches.

debra morris said...

Beautiful portrait Cathy....love it and the pose. How old is she?

Unknown said...

I am in complete awe of that portrait! The colors are amazing the way they fade from light to dark in the background, and also in her shirt, and then her skin reflects the same shades (or seems to?) WOW! I want to see more portraits!

Shirley said...

Your daughter's portrait is lovely - congrats on sticking with it.
Homemade journal - WOW! - it will be hard to go back to store-bought sketchbooks after this!

Vicki Holdwick said...

Cathy, I cannot believe you almost tossed that painting of your daughter. My goodness, it is beyond fabulous. That needs to find a place on a wall in your house.

Please do more.

Love the sketchbook and can't wait to see it fill up with the things around your abode.

xoxo

Cathy Holtom said...

Debra - My daughter is just 20, but still a baby to me!
I painted from a photograph I took of her sitting in front of her computor, she was actually wearing shorts and a little top!

Ruth said...

Cathy, this is an extraordinary portrait. The pose is strikingly unusual which makes it an exceptional masterpiece in itself, but your execution of all the nuances from the definite light direction, the lights and darks, the magnificent colors, to the attention to precise drawing, to the individual strands of hair so cleverly rendered, to the modeling of the rounded parts = one outstanding work of art. Kudos to you for persevering in finishing this! Fantastically beautiful.

rrARTz said...

this is just amazing! i especially like the colors, pose and hair!

Janene said...

The portrait of your daughter is quite wonderful and very unusual. I find it thought provoking.
Your journal looks great too. I am looking forward to the sketches in and around your dusty lane!

Peachtreeart said...

Amazing oil! It seems you are amazing with which ever medium you chose!

Pat said...

The portrait is breathtakingly beautiful.
and I love your idea for the sketchbook! xx

Jennifer Barnes said...

Worth the effort. Its a beautiful artwork. Great idea re: journal

Sarah said...

Well done for persevering - that's a beautiful portrait. And a nice sketchbook too!

kazumiwannabe said...

Wow, the portrait is fantastic!
Your journal and the first paintings in it look great!

Unknown said...

Wonderful portrait! Love the hair!

Your book looks perfect too: I need to make one that thin. It looks easy to carry around! And your first pages are so yummy!

Anonymous said...

Amazing portrait!! I love the pose and how you treated her hair! Wonderful work! Your sketchbook looks great and you've made a super start on drawing in it.

Gillian Mowbray said...

You nearly binned this portrait? I'm shocked - it's fantastic - love the pose too. Congrats. x

nanke's stuff said...

The portrait of your daughter is just stunning! I love the pose, her hair is amazing, and the shadows are gorgeous. I'm so glad you pushed through the frustrating part to end up with this gem. nancy

Alex said...

That's a very beautiful and expressive portrait! The pose is great and everything else is just perfect! =)

Thank you for your comments, and can't wait to see the progress of your dusty lane project

Timaree said...

You've done it now! Once you've made a journal of your own with your favorite paper it's hard to be satisfied with anything else. It looks quite nice as does the beginning picture in it.