Work on Two Portraits
Posted By Carrie L. Lewis on November 18, 2009
This afternoon, I took time from the regular, large doses of writing I’ve been engaging in to do some painting. I worked on two portraits, one paid commission and the other a new, speculation portrait. The results on both were mixed.
After weeks of working, one or two major problems and more than a few small one, the portrait of Lockkeeper finally reached the end of the dead layer phase. Woo-hoo!
I finished up the lower legs, reshaped the rump a little bit and added some additional highlights, then decided I’d done all I could do with the painting at its current phase. More tweaking can always be done, but there comes a time when tweaking must stop in order to advance the project. Lockkeeper reached that point today.
The painting will now dry for three weeks before color work begins.
The other painting I worked on today is an individual portrait I’m doing on speculation. That means, I’m painting the painting, then will offer it to the owner of the horse for right of first refusal. I used to do a lot of this type of work, but got away from it as my schedules became more and more jam packed.
I’m combining waiting time between phases with paid portraits with the possibility of either making spontaneous sales or adding to my inventory with this new portrait.
The drawing was done in October, so it was ready to transfer. But after I’d transferred the drawing, fixed it and set the panel aside, I realized the drawing wasn’t large enough for the panel in question. So I wiped off today’s work to make a nice, thin color layer, and set the project aside for the day while I decide whether to reduce the painting from 16×20 to 14×18 or enlarge the drawing to 16×20.
Oh well. Two steps forward; one step back.
Some days are like that!
I am a self-taught artist for the most part. Lots of trial and error in the past forty years! Formal art training consists of a couple of years of high school art, a painting class at a community college, one semester in the Fine Arts program at Abilene Christian University and a couple of local workshops.
I am always looking for ways to better my artistic skills, so I am a permanent student in the School of Trial and Error. I love reading and have been known to spend hours online researching materials and techniques. As a result, I've painted in several different styles, including the direct method (which goes straight for the color) and Classical methods (which involves underpaintings, layering and glazing).
I have exhibited paintings in locations such as Lone Star Park Race Track, Grand Prairie, Texas and Remington Park Race Track, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Since the early 90s, I've worked with the Michigan Harness Horseman's Association, donating custom portraits to their annual benefit auction.
In the course of maintaining a growing art business, I have taught myself web design (a skill that will no doubt prove to be a continual learning experience).
I also enjoy puttering around the yard, chasing trains with my husband, Neal, travel and, of course, looking at horses whenever they appear on my horizon.
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