Adora Project

On Saturday February 09th I began looking for something to paint. I wanted something a bit more challenging, preferably including a human figure but with some kind of theme or purpose. I just happened to be checking out some marvellous paintings on the blog site of Ramesh Jhawar and noticed he had painted a portrait of a little girl "Adora". Apparently this was his contribution to the "Adora project", a project started by her father where he has commissioned hundreds of artists to create portraits of his beautiful daughter.

This is my second portrait attempted for submission. The first entry I did needs to be re-worked as I am not happy with the result. Concept I like but not the execution. You can find the first version on the same blog site.

See my journal blog site, reference at top right of this blog.

"Adora - Sleeping Beauty"

Finished Painting in Black Watercolour & Pencil

14" x 19" Watercolour and Pencil on Arches 140lb CP paper

[click on image for larger view]

"Adora - Sleeping Beauty"

Step04

14" x 19" Watercolour and Pencil on Arches 140lb CP paper

[click on image for larger view]

"Adora - Sleeping Beauty"

Step03

14" x 19" Watercolour and Pencil on Arches 140lb CP paper

[click on image for larger view]

"Adora - Sleeping Beauty"

Step02

14" x 19" Watercolour and Pencil on Arches 140lb CP paper

[click on image for larger view]

"Adora - Sleeping Beauty"

Step01

14" x 19" Watercolour and Pencil on Arches 140lb CP paper

[click on image for larger view]

Jack Blah!

"Jack Blah" 

15" x 22" Watercolour with Pencil

Started 27-Jan-2013

Completed 30-Jan-2013
[click on image for larger view]

The intent of this painting was to portray absolute feeling of blah-ziness, Jack is such a fantastic subject to paint as his expressions are worn freely on his face. It also helps that Cara (his mom) is so adept at catching these times with her camera. Priceless moments. This painting was based on such a photo taken by Cara.

I have been going through a black and white watercolour phase for the last while specifically to improve my understanding and portrayal of values. In this case I believe the black and white (or grey-scale) adds to the mood being portrayed.

I am also trying to come up with my way of painting ... I use an original sketch or photo and roughly draw in minimal features (lots of poor vision and squinting helps) to establish fit within the painting area. I then start with the very darks to establish the key features. Then from there I work from what I envision in my head that the final painting will look like. Never be afraid to try new things.. 

After darkening some shadows and shading, adding folds in sleeves of shirt and doing limited cleanup...I declared this finished. Did not want to take the edginess away from the painting by smoothing too much out.

Jackson - Master Mechanic [Final]

Jackson - Master Mechanic [Final]

Well finally finished and declared done... :-)

"Jackson - Master Mechanic"

[click on image for larger view]

Jackson - Master Mechanic (Part 4)

Jackson - Master Mechanic (Part 4)

More progress - still have a way to go before being complete. Need to add shadows, a bit more detail and scuff up the garage floor... way to clean :-)

"Jackson - Master Mechanic" - Part 4 - 01-Jul-2012

[Click on image for larger view]

Jackson - Master Mechanic (Part 3)

Jackson - Master Mechanic

More progress but still basically blocking in colour.

"Jackson - Master Mechanic" - In Progress - 24 Jun 2012

[Click on image for larger view]

Jackson - Master Mechanic (part 2)

Jackson - Master Mechanic

Updated photo

"Jackson - Master Mechanic" - In progress 20-Jun-2012

[Click on image for larger view]

Jackson - Master Mechanic

A friend of mine has a very inquisitive son, Jackson. Yesterday I started to paint him as he was busy helping fix his Dad's motorcycle. I am sure his Dad appreciates the help :-)

Here is the painting as it stands today in progress with the start of some colours being blocked in. This is the first time I have tried painting watercolour directly onto aluminum composite panel. The first step was to sand and prime the panel with watercolour ground (gesso). This seems to yield a surface somewhat like canvas but without the flex. It feels strange working on the panel as it always feels cool to the touch. The watercolour gesso also tends to dull down the paint a bit so I had to go brighter and bolder than I would normally do.

As you can see I have not yet drawn in the rest of the motorcycle and the foreground. I first wanted to define Jackson and the dominant elements. As the painting develops, I will need to harmonize the colours. The orange tarp will need to be toned down and be a mixture of golds and reds. Jackson's hoodie will become a rustier brown and the oil in the pan will need to have some browns added. After the painting has been developed further then I will concentrate on defining the facial details and the hair more clearly.

The panel is 24" x 18".

"Jackson - Master Mechanic" - In Progress 10-Jun-2012

[click on image for larger view]

"Pokadots"

In progress..

Watercolour 22" x 15"
Paper: Arches 300lb Rough

"Pokadots" - Sabreen

[Click on image for larger view]

Portrait "Sabreen"

Portrait of "Sabreen" daughter of my friend Pabhjeet.

Portrait is 30" x 22" Watercolour
Paper: Arches 300lb Rough

Started: Tuesday January 24, 2012

Completed: Saturday January 28, 2012

Client lives in: Karnal, Haryana, India

"Sabreen"

[Click on image for larger view]

Portrait: "Sahasra"

The painting below is a portrait of Harish Rayaprolu's daughter. Harish is a friend of mine that still works at Open Solutions in the New Delhi office in India. His daughter is 11 months old and her name is Sahasra.

Portrait is a 14" x 18" Watercolour
Paper: Arches 300lb Rough.
Started: Sunday January 8, 2012
Completed: Wednesday January 11, 2012

"Sahasra"

[Click on image for larger view]

Doreen and Alan in Ibiza

Painted over the 2011 Christmas holidays.
Watercolour 16" x 17"
Paper: Arches 140lb Cold Press

"Doreen and Alan in Ibiza"

[Click image for larger view]

Little Santa

Painted over the 2011 Christmas holidays.
Watercolour 17" x 23"
Paper: Arches 140lb Cold Press
[Update Jan 3, 2012: Painting being updated, will post revised version soon. IMHO this painting too washed out and has no punch. Revision will have bolder colours.]

"Little Santa"

[Click image for larger view]

"Little Santa" - revised

[Click on image for larger view]

Oliver

Over the Christmas Holidays I have been working on portraits. This latest one is of my cousin Julie's grandson. I was asked by my aunt and uncle (Oliver's GreatGrandparents) to paint this for them.

Painting: 17" x 21" Watercolour
Paper: Arches 300lb Rough

"Oliver"

[Click on image for larger view]