Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Kelly Berkey's Weekly Sketch Challenge

Kelly Week 7 - 16"x 20" oil on canvas panel
Welcome to the 7th week of Kelly's Berkey's Sketch Challenge...When I started Kelly's challenge, I really didn't think I would keep up with it, but it's really addicting to me.  I think part of it is the really nice bloggers I've met,  and also because I've been stretched far beyond what I've ever done and painting in oil no less.  Anyway, on to describe the painting this week:

I was inspired by two artists for this challenge.  I love how Elizabeth Peyton uses bright colors in her portraits and the loose sloppiness of the her paintings.  So I painted the background very runny using mineral spirits to thin the paint. 



Here's a close up of her portrait. 


The second artist of inspiration was Malcolm Liepke.  Kelly told me about him through Terri's blog, "Dimples & Dragonflies".  His portraits are sensational.  He stylizes the women with larger eyes and redder, pouty lips. I made Kelly's eyes more expressive by adding a upper lid and not painting her eye with all black, even if that's all  I see in the photo.  It opens up her expression.  I couldn't do the pouty lips with a smile, but they are a little redder to stand out against her skin.  I painted her trident smile teeth in full mass, because it just looks nicer than painting each individual tooth.



Also, I added red from the couch into Kelly's hair.  I love the idea of colors bouncing around a painting and use this technique a lot. 

As I look at the colors of Kelly's portrait on the screen, I see the colors are in keeping with the upcoming Halloween festivities.  If you would like to join us, every week Kelly posts a picture of herself in a pose for you to sketch or paint or whatever.

13 comments:

Joji said...

Kelly since you started this challenge you have forever been imortalized in oil, acrylic,pastel and charcoal. These women have done you proud.

Jodi Ulschmid said...

Diana, this is gorgeous!!! Wow! You are so amazing! Kelly will love this. Although, I'm sure she loves all of the ones you've done of her. :)

Terri Smith said...

Goodness Gracious! Diana..you just keep getting better and better! Wow! I absolutely love this! I know I'm beginning to sound like a broken record..but you really should consider portraiture..these challenges of Kelly's show you're a natural. :)) Simply wonderful!

Art by Darla Kay said...

Holy cow, you are good! I just didn't have time to even attempt this week's challenge, but you just continue to inspire me! Thank you!

Carola Bartz said...

Diana, I like how you always tell who inspires you and then explain what it is you did with that inspiration. It makes me look differently at your paintings.

Cathy Bueti said...

Diana this is AMAZING!!! Wow! Love it! I finally finished my sketch today and boy did I have trouble with the face!

I will be posting it tomorrow morning.

THis is great! :)

Kelly Berkey said...

diana, you know how much i love this portrait. what you've done and why is absolutely stunning! i too love the bounce of color and how you gave the whole portrait that kind of distressed and sexy look.
joji is right, i've been forever immortalized and by very talented ladies!!

xoxo!

Cameron said...

Found you via Kelly Berkey's site....I was so floored by this gorgeous rendition, I had to come and visit you!

Now I'm following you so I can see more of your talent on a regular basis ;)

Helen said...

Such a wonderful painting. I love it. Love the warmth of it and I am so impressed.

I have yet to do mine :o)

Diane said...

Diana, I am so inspired by your creative talent--this is wonderful!!

Kerry said...

I love this latest effort and the colors you have chosen. I had several goes at the hand bent backwards and gave up in the end as it kept looking like a crude gesture. Yours just looks effortless!

Rona Gregory said...

Hi Diana! As usual this one is beautiful! Thank you for sharing your "hows' and 'whys' too! I bought some oils and I'm desperate to have a go but keep putting it off!!! Totally daft! cos if i mess it up like who's gonna see it? No-one! Ha!

Really lovely, likes this one very muchly!

Ro xx

Robin Norgren, M.A, R-YT, Spiritual Director said...

man oh man! I echo each and every comment-you are an INCREDIBLY talented woman.