"ELEGANCE"

Pastel - 9" x 12"

SOLD

I was commissioned to do a demonstration and could not decide whether to do it in pastel or oil - I ended up doing oil with a palette knife. In preparation for the demo, I did this painting to determine how much I would get done within an hour. I started with nupastels and finished with touches of soft unison pastels. Time restraints kept if fresh and I was pleased with the final result making the sale somewhat bitter/sweet.

"LUCY M"

Oil

SOLD

I was excited to do this commission, having done her brother and getting permission from her dad to get as creative as I liked, I decided to paint it with a palette knife, not sure how it would turn out. I was surprised by the end result and apparently so was everyone who saw it. I hung it along with my other collection in a gallery not thinking that it would sell and it did so I ended up having to paint another portrait for my client - did the second one in pastel.

The original is not this blue - bad photo.

"JESSICA" 

Oil - 9" x 12"

Painted with a palette knife

I usually begin a painting with the placement of the subject using a paint brush but since I planned to do this painting with a palette knife and did not want to be bothered with cleaning brushes, I sketched it in with a pencil. After the initial placement, I went right in with paint using the palette knife. My goal was to simplify as much as possible, adding just enough details to get my message across.