Minerva's Glasses

After spending all day on paperwork, taxes and other mundane junk, I realized I only had half an hour until my husband would be coming in from work. So I looked at the Minerva painting for something small to do that would not take me more than half an hour. I decided to give the glasses a go.

The two pictures show you what was done before dinner and after dinner when I went back into the room and realized the frames were too heavy and dark. If the first thing you see is the glasses in a portrait, you know that you have over done them. Glasses should be understated. After all, you are painting a portrait as a whole. No one thing should jump out at you.

Fortunately for me, if you spot a mistake before the paints set up, you can simply adjust them by taking a dry brush and pushing around or removing the wet paint. Of course, whats underneath (her eyes) must be absolutely dry....otherwise you will remove them also.

Amazon Warrior Finished

Well, I finally got this one finished. It has certainly evolved the way most of my work evolves. Although the concept is the same, minor items change as the painting goes along. The final snake has some leathery flesh as opposed to the slick skin I originally envisioned. And the costume of the Amazon changed as I thought about the environment that she is in. Snakeskin replaced what I had originally thought would be leopard skin. And her upper covering became metal instead of leopard. The helmet is pretty much what I had in mind, but I increased the cockade to reflect the same pattern as the arched doorway. Everything was toned down so that the Amazon took centerstage by being the most colorful and lighter valued object in the design.

Since this piece was done solely for my portfolio and there was no hurry, I completed other jobs while working on this. I intend to do another portfolio piece, start to finish in as quick a time as I can so that I can judge how much time to quote when accepting a commissioned illustration.

I have a date set aside for my model friend, Jennifer, to come over and pose for another piece. She will be bringing her daughter who has agreed to pose for my mythology series.

IMC-Illustration Master Class

Just got my receipt (for Uncle Sam and IRS) for my tuition at the Illustration Master Class coming up in June. I am very excited and already thinking how I will shine like a star this year. Not that anyone will notice my work when there will be about 100 other super nova stars in the class rooms. Last year I went not knowing what to expect. Also, my right foot had a really bad plantar faciaitis thing going on. I limped around everywhere, I was a total wallflower and made few friends, I got no rest at all, and good old Lupus reared it's ugly head.
This year I have a plan. I WILL BE HEALTHY! I WILL USE MY TIME THERE BETTER! I WILL PAINT LIKE DAVINCI! I WILL NOT BE A SHY WALLFLOWER! This is absolutely the best class I have ever taken and I have taken a bunch. A full week of non stop instruction by the best in the illustration world. OH and just because they are illustrators, don't think they can't paint fine art. Just Google, Rebecca Guay, Greg Manchess, Donato Giancola, Dan Dos Santos, Ian McCaig. These guys can hold their own with Rockwell, Davinci and Michaelangelo. But the best part is, I get to paint, paint, paint and get critiques from all the instructors. Good Solid Advice and Instruction.
Ain't I Lucky?

Minerva Progress

I worked on the hair again and the area of the eyes, refining the block in. I then moved on to the shoulder area and upper part of the dress. Trying to give an illusion of a sheer and sparkling fabric that I draped onto the model over a makeshift white tunic.
Darn,that hair still seems too yellow. Or maybe the photo was too warm, since she was sitting under a gallery spot light.
Glasses???? Yes or No, send me your vote.

Minerva

Great progress made yesterday. New hand pose blocked in and arms and book on her lap. Her shift will be white with a sheer blue overdress. I think the back and sholder are a bit too large,but will reserve judgement until I work on the arms a bit more. The hand on the book, although just roughed in, is indeed too large. Foreshortening dictates that it be smaller since it is moving away from the viewer. The arm on the book needs more mass also. It is closer and seems too thin at this time. Again, the hair looks more yellow than what I think I have painted it. But overall, a really good likeness is coming together. Still undecided about the glasses.

Minerva Block In

I have enlarged Rose more as I have redone her pose. I have opted for a 3/4 pose now. The old camera took such fuzzy pictures that I went down to The Art League Gallery and reshot the facial photos of Rose. I don't know why her hair is looking so yellow. But it's still early in the process. Here on the canvas it looks more of a redish blonde color. I am pleased to already be getting a likeness although I am only concentrating on placement and basic block in. I am torn with whether or not to include her glasses in this painting. I suppose I should. You can see in the original pose she is turned forward more. I like the glance upward in the second set of photos.