Oil Portrait Painting
Posted by Faith Te on December 31st, 2009
Oil Portrait
Oil on Gessoed Bristol Board
Size: 28 x 36 cm (11″ x 14″)
Like David, I also joined the Different Strokes from Different Folks Year End Portrait Swap. The names of the artists we were to paint or draw were not revealed when we were given the pictures. I still don’t know whose portrait I painted but I do hope he will like it! The challenge was a lot of fun and I would love to participate again.
More about the oil painting…
I initially wanted to use charcoal, but I’ve been using oil paints a lot lately so I decided to do an oil portrait instead. This is just the third oil portrait I have completed so far. There are still a lot of areas which need to be improved, but overall, I am quite pleased with the result.
Oil Portrait Painting – Detail of Shirt
My favorite part in the whole painting would be the green “glow” on his shirt. I didn’t plan it beforehand but as I was adding highlights to the shirt, I felt that the bright green looked better just along the edges. So I softened it just a little and left it that way.
I also began practicing painting in layers lately as I usually paint alla prima (“finished in one session”). I think painting a portrait in layers gives the skin tones more “depth” and a more realistic and lifelike look.
In addition, I’d like to thank a good friend I recently met, Paul Brown. He has been very helpful and generous with his tips and that has given me a lot of confidence. If you haven’t already, do visit his web site and enjoy his super realistic paintings.
Wishing you all a Happy New Year!
Faith
UPDATE: (January 2, 2010) The Portrait Swap has ended. Well, I may never know who I painted, but I woke up today to a truly big surprise — Karin Jurick painted my portrait! I was overwhelmed and very pleased! She also painted the other artists whose teammates weren’t able to reciprocate. My hats off to Ms. Jurick for doing what she did!
Tags: Different Strokes from Different Folks, faith te, oil painting, oil portrait, portraits, realistic paintings
January 1st, 2010 at 2:33 am
wonderful piece. I love the serious yet playful feel it has. Happy New Year
January 1st, 2010 at 7:09 am
Faith, this is really amazing! You and David are both so accomplished already at your young ages. You both must be applying yourselves in a most remarkable and impressive way. God bless you for the good stewardship of your talents!
Your subject will be very pleased by this most beautiful portrait.
January 1st, 2010 at 9:34 am
Your submission to this Year End Portrait Swap is fantastic and has got to be my favorite!
January 1st, 2010 at 10:32 am
What a fabulous portrait! It’s wonderful. I Love It! Akiko
January 1st, 2010 at 1:47 pm
It was great to wake up to the new year and read all of your wonderful comments. Thanks so much, Ms. Eichi, Ms. King, Ms. Horzempa and Ms. Watanabe — I do appreciate it! Happy New Year!
January 1st, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Your portrait work is pretty overwhelming! The softness of your colors and brushstrokes are a site to behold. What a wonderful entry, congratulations!
January 1st, 2010 at 10:25 pm
A wonderful portrait, Faith!! I’m glad I “found” your blog!
All my best for the new year!
January 1st, 2010 at 10:40 pm
This was so impressive, I was actually started when I scrolled down to it. It’s one of my favorites as well. Thank you for sharing your beautiful work with us.
January 2nd, 2010 at 5:05 am
What a gorgeous portrait Faith! I love the “green glow” on the shirt too:)
January 2nd, 2010 at 7:11 am
Well it seem that the artist you painted did not do the work BUT you got blessed with a portrait done by Karin Jurick. I gave her an award for this on my blog.
January 2nd, 2010 at 11:07 am
Thank you for the compliments, Ms. Ann, Mr. Dean, Ms. Terri and Anonymous
Much appreciated!
Ms. Dominique — Yes, it was a fabulous surprise indeed!! I think Ms. Jurick truly deserves an award. It was very sweet of her to do our other portraits, wasn’t it?
Happiness and blessings to everyone for the New Year!
January 2nd, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Fabulous painting. Glad I stumbled on your blog through Karin Jurik’s blog. You do wonderful work.
January 3rd, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Thanks so much for visiting and for taking the time to comment, Ms. Lokelani — very much appreciated! Happy New Year!
January 19th, 2010 at 11:06 am
Very nice work, Faith. I’m glad you found me on Digg.
January 20th, 2010 at 10:24 am
Thanks, Ms. Becky — I love your work too!