Recent Awards

"Shades of Blue"

Oil on Linen

16"x20"

Honorable Mention - Arizona Stair Fair Fine Art Exhibit 2015

"The Red Turban"

Charcoal and Red Chalk on toned paper

11x14

Second Place - Arizona State Fair Fine Art Exhibit 2015

Portrait of a Young Girl

This was done for the "Freedom 48 Project" http://www.freedom58project.com/about-us/portrait-artist-ministry/  traveling portrait exhibit. It is oil on canvas 11"x14".

 

Review of DVD by Robert Liberace "Vol III: The Classic Portrait"

I was so excited to find the New DVD on Classical Painting by Robert Liberace in my mailbox today . It did not disappoint. Definitely for the advanced portrait artist, but, anyone with an interest in classical painting or aspiring to be a portrait artist would learn a  great deal from watching this DVD. Rob Liberace shares his vast knowledge of history, painting styles, master artists' materials and techniques in this 4 hour demonstration. He worked in lead-based classical paints by Rublev and Daniel Greene and explained in detail the materials he uses for this painting. He begins with a loosely rendered grisaille on day one, then day two proceeds with glazing on of the color. Watching a master such as Rob was inspiring! Seeing up close how he models ever nuance in light and shadow and mixing his colors I know will help me with any painting I do, not just portraiture. I saw Rob give a 2 hour demonstration at the Legacy Gallery in Scottsdale a couple of years ago and was mesmerized by his skill and charisma as an instructor. Getting to one of his workshops has not been possible. But, this DVD is a great option and an excellent learning tool for me, since I learn best by observing. The DVD is worth every penny of the $85 cost. I highly recommend it to any artist at any level. I also plan to purchase his figure drawing DVD.

Why a Fine Art Portrait?

In this day and age of digital photography and the many special software programs available...a photo portrait can easily be modified and changed at the whim of whomever. But, a fine art portrait is hand-painted or drawn onto a physical surface, canvas, panel, paper, etc. and is a more permanent testament and capture of the human essence.

A Portrait of Duchess of Cambridge (Kate Middleton)

My recent submission to a painting venture by a group of portrait artists on Facebook and LinkedIn to paint Kate the Duchess of Cambridge. It was inspired by the very controversial and large official Royal portrait commissioned by Kate. I started this earlier this year and it has been sitting on my spare easel begging me to finish her. So...here it is!

Duchess Kate 
Oil on Linen Panel 12"x16"
by Pamela Jonas

Sketching again...

It's been awhile since my last post, though I have been busy with my art. Will post some painting soon, but today I was watching a period film where some of the scene were quite dark and candle lit. One in particular just made me want to sketch. So, I put it on "pause" and grabbed some black pastel paper and some conte'. I used white, sepia, flesh, and dark brown.

Marisa in circa 1900 costume - updated with final entitled "A Classic Lady"

Final was finished in the studio and I was just not happy with the figure's proportions from the bustline down...so I cut it off and mounted to hardboard. This was on exhibit in the Portrait Artists of Arizona 3rd Annual Exhibition at Scottsdale Artists' School April-May 2013.

"Red Ivy" in the Zorn Pallette of colors - updated with final

Final version was completed and in the PAOA exhibition at SAS in April-May 2013.

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New Painting from PAOA's Portrait Studio Today...guess I missed all the St. Patty's festivals! But, really enjoyed working in the "Zorn Palette", though I used French Vermilion (blue red) vs. the recommended Cad Red, Ivory Black, Tit. White, and Yellow Ochre. Lot's of fun. In our demo at PAOA on March 3rd given by Romel de la Torre he brought an example of his portrait work and one of the paintings was done in this palette and it was so beautiful I just had to give this a try.

Study of Brandon

Monochrome oil painting (about 2.5 hours) from life done this last Sat. Feb 18th at a PAOA Portrait Studio. Used Paynes Grey and Tit. White. It was a very full session, over 16 people came to paint or draw from Brandon..he was terrific!

"Girl with a Gold Earring"

Update 10/7/2012 - Entered in the Arizona State Fair Fine Art Exhibition - 4th Place in the Oil Category -

Another study started from life in a Portrait Studio of the Portrait Artists of Arizona. Made some refinements in the studio. Really had fun playing with color! Her rich skintone provided for a variety of colors, reflections, etc. Oil on canvas panel 12"wx16"h.