I have been invited to paint a portrait of a well known PBS television star during an important luncheon at Sacramento's local PBS broadcasting station. The keynote speaker at the luncheon will be the president of PBS. I will also have on display four other PBS stars to help promote my portraiture business. This is the very first PBS star that I painted last week. About five hours, on a 20 inch by 20 inch stretched canvas. The first photo shows my "start". I am working from a reference photo. The first thing I did was outline the contours of the face with a 1/8 inch wide flat brush. After that, I painted in the basic value shapes. I kept things very rough at this stage as you can see. All I did was build my contour/value shape foundation in one color. In this case, I chose purple. Color is not that important at this stage as it will be totally covered as I move along on the painting process. The next stage shows the face's local skin color painted in along with the background color. I always keep in my mind the ENTIRE painting as a harmonious entity, especially the colors. In all of these steps, I am painted with various sized (small, medium, and large) flat brushes. I used flat brushes to get a sculpted/chisel look. In the next stage, I have most of the colors painted in. I like to be somewhat expressive in my color choices. As long as I can maintain the value structure of the face and keep colors harmonized, I'm in good shape. The final photo shows the lower lip painted in and brings my effort to a conclusion. Note the bits of tourqoise and local skin tones distributed throughout the painting to maintain that color harmony. Again, I gave a rough hewn quality to this painting. This will be the model for the other to follow. As I complete them in the next week or two, I shall post the results. Do you know who this dude is??
I have been invited to paint a portrait of a well known PBS television star during an important luncheon at Sacramento's local PBS broadcasting station. The keynote speaker at the luncheon will be the president of PBS. I will also have on display four other PBS stars to help promote my portraiture business. This is the very first PBS star that I painted last week. About five hours, on a 20 inch by 20 inch stretched canvas. The first photo shows my "start". I am working from a reference photo. The first thing I did was outline the contours of the face with a 1/8 inch wide flat brush. After that, I painted in the basic value shapes. I kept things very rough at this stage as you can see. All I did was build my contour/value shape foundation in one color. In this case, I chose purple. Color is not that important at this stage as it will be totally covered as I move along on the painting process. The next stage shows the face's local skin color painted in along with the background color. I always keep in my mind the ENTIRE painting as a harmonious entity, especially the colors. In all of these steps, I am painted with various sized (small, medium, and large) flat brushes. I used flat brushes to get a sculpted/chisel look. In the next stage, I have most of the colors painted in. I like to be somewhat expressive in my color choices. As long as I can maintain the value structure of the face and keep colors harmonized, I'm in good shape. The final photo shows the lower lip painted in and brings my effort to a conclusion. Note the bits of tourqoise and local skin tones distributed throughout the painting to maintain that color harmony. Again, I gave a rough hewn quality to this painting. This will be the model for the other to follow. As I complete them in the next week or two, I shall post the results. Do you know who this dude is??
15 comments:
Awesome portrait, David. I love seeing your process photos. Thanks so much.
I've watched him since the Watergate hearings. Great portrait.
Thank, Carol and Hallie. Mr. Lehr has been on air a long time! A very distinguished news anchor indeed.
What a glorious portrait, David. I doubt I know who this gentleman is, but he sure looks familiar.
David - this is fantastic! I love the colors throughout which amplify his cheerful expression.
Autumn, Watch the PBS New Hour. Mr. Lehr will thank you and as always, I thank you for reading my humble blog!
Thanks, Cheryl (devotedmomof7). He does have a cheerful expression. I was focusing more on his beady eyes. They were a challenge.
It's been a while since I visited your blog.....I love the colors you use for the portraits....Fauvism :)
Shirupa, You are correct...there is a little bit of Fauvist colors on this portrait.
I think you captured Mr. Lehrer's personality! wonderful colors and values.
So glad you groove on this one, Meera! I always value your opinion...the good, the bad, and the ugly. I am trying to develop an acrylic portraiture style with a bit of moxy.
Well done, David. Esp. like your color choices for the underpainting!
Thanks, Frank.
great David!! And a good man, one of the few I can listen to
Thanks, Nick. Yes, his new program is the only I can stand to view. The rest are just excuses to sell soap,
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