Structure through colour

This image is a little tighter than previous works I've done in this style. None of the colours were mixed, they were simply applied direct from the tube onto the canvas in a deliberate but complimentary way. It's a fast technique and the obvious, thick application of colour literally builds the portrait from the canvas and gives it life. It's been an enjoyable process and a major stress reliever!

- oil on canvas

Portrait of a young boy

No. 1249

During the early 90s, Rwanda experienced a dreadful civil war that separated and orphaned hundreds of thousands of young children. A photojournalist who was covering the situation in the country, found himself compelled to take photos of all these separated children and pin them up on community notice boards in the hope of tracking down a relative. As many of the children were too young to know their own name or too traumatised to speak, the photographer had them hold a sign which displayed a number for prospective family members to identify them by. The scheme was so successful that up to 80% of children were reunited with a family member, and this process of reunification is still used today by some of the world's most influential humanitarian agencies. The photojournalist quit his job and now works in humanitarian aid where he photographed 21 000 children in his first year.

- Oil on canvas - 

Trying a new style

I've been trying out a new style lately in art classes which is more similar in style to one of my favourite artists, Robert Hannaford. He uses a really wide variety of colours in his palette which are not necessarily obvious for a portrait, such as bold reds and yellow. I also didn't mix any colours on the palette, just applying them in thick strokes straight to the canvas. Both of these paitings have been done in oil which is my preferred medium to paint with and makes it easier to layer colours so that your eye blends them instead of the paint brush. My plan now is to try doing a series of these to get used to the technique. Each painting seems to take about 3 hours which is actually quicker than my pencil portraits which can take 5-6 hours!! 



Three generations

Mother



Granddaughter



Daughter





I recently completed this lovely series of three generations of women in the one family. When drawing portraits you become so intimately familiar with the physiology of each face down to the tiniest lines and smallest veins, so when drawing a family it becomes quickly evident the genetic similarities between each member. I really enjoyed this commission with the process of capturing enough likeness to symbolise familial connection but enough difference to make each individual unique. It's also interesting to see how the fashions and hairstyles change with each generation.

Celebrating a milestone

Here's a recent picture I did for the 1st birthday of some sweet twin girls in America. Their mum ordered a commission in time for their party as a gift they could look back on in years to come. I've done a few portraits now for 1st birthdays which have made for a really personal gift and standout amongst the amount of toys the birthday girl or boy receives. It's certainly getting harder and harder to choose gifts for young children when most of us have the privilege of buying our children whatever they need, whenever they need. While a portrait might not be a child's most favourite gift while they are young, it is sure to last longer than most presents they will receive, with their appreciation for the artwork growing with them. Below is a picture of my beautiful God Son Jamieson critiquing the portrait he received for his 1st birthday.  

Some new faces

Joanne

Kate