Portrait Painting of Elisa

I had a hankering to paint again, since it had been a full month since I last painted. I wanted to paint Elisa something for her room, but she wouldn't tell me what she wanted so I decided to try my hand at another portrait--her 3rd to be exact. I've added the 1st two portraits I've done, just to track my improvement. I don't paint near enough to call myself a real artist, but I've improved so that's good enough for me, for now. I hope to paint more when all the kids are in school, and especially when they're all out of the house, like my aunt Jane. She has come so far in her artwork since all of her kids left home, so that gives me hope that I can become a real artist one day, and not someone who dapples around here and there like I've been doing.

Painting #1. Done in August 2017. It looks unfinished because it is. I got frustrated with it and gave up. My sister took it before I could throw it away, where it currently hangs in my niece's bedroom.

Painting #2. Done in August 2019. A good likeness...but so flat and washed-out.

Here is the progress of my latest painting, started on May 23rd and finished May 24. That's right--it took about two days. I'm also getting faster, so that's good. FYI: this painting is done in crappy acrylics, with crappy brushes, on a crappy canvas. I want to improve my skills more first before I spend a bunch of money on quality art products. Before I started this last portrait, I watched a lot of YouTube videos and read several articles on skin tone (aka research). My last portrait of Elisa was just so flat and pale so I wanted to make sure I didn't repeat that mistake. The first portrait's skin tone was just off. I read all about warm colors and cool colors, and when and where to use them. I'm still learning--and have a ways to go--but I'm happy with any improvement I can get!

I always paint the flesh first

Saving the best (hardest) for (near) last: the eyes and mouth.

I just couldn't resist...though I can totally see this hanging in an avant-garde art show.

The silent, one-eyebrowed wonder

She has nothing to say... 

Ahh! It's a floating head!

Awww, its looking a little like someone I know!

I almost left it like this, but it looked so unfinished. Because--well--it was unfinished.

Checking my work against my reference. I would say about 90% likeness. Room for improvement.

All done! Its hanging up on her wall. I like the skin tone(s) much better than painting #2. I's not 100%, but I'm happy with it for now. I still have work to do on getting hair painted to look--well, more like hair. I'm usually pretty good at getting a good likeness, and like I said before, this painting's likeness is at about 90%. It still looks like Elisa, but not as much as it could. I hope to work out all my kinks, quarks, and general ignorance (pertaining to painting, of course!) as I paint more. I also hope to maybe someday take some real live art classes! Until then, I'll keep painting portraits of the kids while they're still young and adorable. I do plan on painting portraits of Gabe and Ian, too!