Finishing up unfinished works...

I have been continuing the project of going back to unfinished works from Portrait Studios. This one still looks like an old tintype, even with all the added color. Perhaps it is the pose, very stiff. At any rate, it is a work in progress...still.

"Grecian Dreamer" - Oil

This was started in a live model portrait studio last fall and I've finally finished it to my satisfaction. Oil on linen 16" x 20". This was my favorite costume for my portrait group, as I made the Grecian gown and garland for her hair myself! The only think I regret in that from this pose you can't see the model's glorious hair that billowed out on the other side. Sometimes you can't get setup in the place you wish in these shared sessions. Maybe this will motivate me to get my studio setup with a platform and start working from life at home :) Eventually ! Ha!

"The Granddaughters"

More work done to refine the faces and hands.












12"x16" oil on gessoed panel, very slick and shiny surface. I used Artisan water miseble oils with Gamblin's Neo Megilp medium. Boy, the paint sure moved around a lot and I think I probably should Not have used bristle brushes. However, it make for an interesting loose look. My first attempt at 3 figures on any size, but this small sure was a challenge making the faces very tiny. But, I sure enjoyed the experience! I may try another of the same girls but on a larger linen canvas with a little tighter look on the faces.

Landscape...I know...it's not a portrait...

but this is where my artistic efforts have been lately...preparing class material for Acrylic Painting Workshops I am doing for Michael's Arts & Crafts Store as a new Grumbacher Art Instructor!! For more information visit my Workshops Page of my website or click HERE

I will be teaching how to paint this Step-by-step in the 2-hour Landscape Workshop.

This Daisy painting will be taught in the Floral Workshop.

Cute Kittens in Graphite

Wow, it's been quite awhile since I've posted anything. Haven't been in the studio in ages. Felt good to be drawing again. I love graphite! Cute little kittens. Plan to do a series of graphite kitties for cards and prints. Enjoy!

Quick Sketches

A couple of 15-20 minutes charcoal quick-sketches on newsprint done from life at the Valentine Art Show at the Farm at South Mountain, Phoenix on Feb. 14th. It was a beautiful day. Not a lot of traffic, but still good experience working from life in an unstructured environment. These people were artist members of Tempe Artist Guild, not professional models. So was extra good experience :)

Monochrome Study - Costumed Model

In a local open studio offered by PAOA, I practiced a monochrome study using the "sight-size" technique. Approx 3 hours of work and I feel it still needs quite a bit of tweaking. I did add a little color to the skin areas and some white on the highlights.I used burnt umber on a 14"x18" linen canvas. When I prepared my canvas with a wash of burnt umber the previous day, I used Artisan oils with the Artisan thinner. This was a mistake. When I attempted to remove paint to achieve the highlights, it did not come off easily or at all. I should have used water for the wash. It is a learning experience working with water-misible oils. (Below) a photo of the in-progress painting with model set to size.

New Pastel on Velour

The companion portrait to the other pastel of a young girl, both sisters. A difficult expression to capture, but still fun. 11"x14" on velour. I'm on a roll. Will begin soon two more on the velour.

Pastel on Velour of Young Girl

Back to doing humans again! LOL This is the first pastel I've done on the velour of a person (not pet). It is a young girl around 8-9 yrs old. I took the photos myself which I worked from. About 11"x14" size. I am truly enjoying working on the velour paper and my next one will be of this girl's sibling. I have been very frustrated with working in oils and the joy just was not there. But, I am finding new joy with the pastel on velour! So, I will be focusing on this for awhile. Hopefully, I will feel more comfortable with color when I return to doing oils.

Graphite Portrait of Tippin

Pet portrait of a black Labrador puppy. Black fur is not easy and was very challenging. About 5"x7" on Aquarelle Arches paper with graphite in different hardness. This is the fourth dog portrait in the last month...I must be on a roll here. Am taking commissions for Holiday Pet Portraits. Please contact me at pljarizona@yahoo.com for more information or visit my website at www.pamelajonas.com