Working through a complicated painting is fun for me. I love the detailed robe and nightgown that my model/granddaughter, Elle, was wearing… such an old fashioned and romantic look, especially with her contemplative look and her long braid. I love painting long hair, so thank you Elle for growing your hair long. 🙂
Here you can see the progression as I add layers of pure transparent color.
As I love to use a limited palette, I am using only 3 colors through the whole painting.
      
You can see in the close up that I am moving from color to color, changing color every inch or so. I carefully observe where there are warmer yellows and peaches and where the cooler blue and violets are as I study my resource photo.
Painting whites are fun! Try it yourself.
Finally it is time to add more information into the features of the face. But, I will adjust and add more as I progress.
I often notice subtle touches that I have missed.
    
Next tackling the background, which proved to be my most challenging part of the painting.
This often happens. And, the background can either make or break the painting.
Here, I was advised to delete the kitten on the top of the stairs, and maybe I should have….
But, I didn’t want to.
Instead, I chose to keep it in and try to make the composition work.
     
Adding the darks is my final piece of this particularly challenging painting puzzle.
And, you can see here that I’ve lightened the staircase just a bit by dampening it with clear water and carefully lifting a bit of pigment. Still not sure if it is completed, but it is very close.
Thanks for coming by to see my work. I appreciate your interest so much and hope my journey helps you.
Sending love your way.
Jeannie