Gesture Portrait Study

"Gesture Portrait Study"
7x10 oil on canvas
NFS

I did this portrait in less than two hours. Usually it takes me three days of struggling away with details and ending up with an over-worked painting.

A couple weeks ago I discovered a great 5-hour DVD by Jeffery R. Watts demonstrating Gesture Portraits and decided to give it a try. He does nine portraits each taking only a half hour. I of course am slower and had to put the DVD on pause every so often but so far I'm very impressed with his teaching method. There is also a lot of teaching on palette colors on four different levels.
So this is my first gesture portrait. I followed along doing the same portrait he did using Burnt Umber and Titanium White. The eyes are a bit off but I sure had fun painting them in a loose style! Whether I can do a gestures portrait without following along with a master remains to be seen.
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10 comments:

  1. dacoopFebruary 2, 2010 at 9:30 PM

    Carol this is really wonderful! It seems that simplification really works!

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  2. -DonFebruary 3, 2010 at 4:26 AM

    Nice job, Carol... You are obviously an excellent student... I look forward to seeing what you come up with when you venture out on your own. If it's even close to what you've done here it will be great. -Don

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  3. Edward BurtonFebruary 3, 2010 at 11:23 AM

    This is wonderful, Carol. Great job! I might have to look into that DVD.

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  4. patricia cotterillFebruary 3, 2010 at 12:41 PM

    I need that DVD, now! I started a portrait of my daughter this morning and it is a struggle. I am inspired though by your painting. I agree with Don, can't wait to see your next venture on your own.

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  5. Carol HorzempaFebruary 3, 2010 at 9:41 PM

    Thanks for all your comments! You guys are making me nervous though! I can't make any promises...I could fall flat on my face.

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  6. Carrie GriesemerFebruary 4, 2010 at 8:01 AM

    Wow, this is great! Looks like you got a lot out of just one lesson, the eyes look especially great. I think I'm gonna have a hard time getting you to lend me that series ; )

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  7. DanNanFebruary 4, 2010 at 9:06 AM

    Nice job Carol,

    This is wonderfully loose and fluid. It's amazing what we can accomplish when we don't overwork--(my biggest sin)--and just let our abilities do their thing. Mooi!

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  8. Linda PoppleFebruary 4, 2010 at 12:40 PM

    This DVD has been on my list for quite some time. Now seeing your wonderful portrait I think I will have to order it. Great job!

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  9. L.HolmFebruary 5, 2010 at 9:31 PM

    This is inspiring, Carol. I love the dynamic movement. 2 hrs is NO time at all, and this is superb. thanks for the tip on the video.

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  10. Mary Anne CaryFebruary 7, 2010 at 11:53 PM

    This is a really nice portrait, great job capturing the gesture.

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