Shy mixed media portrait

Shy original size
Cropped to just portrait
The inspiration for this picture was that I was thinking of my friend instagram friend, Dyahtrin, who has been hospitalized.  

Got to say, I am not really sure what I have here.  I had this sheet of fuchsia/pink background, think I cleaned my palette on it.  Even though it was taped when I did it, the paper really buckled.  So I tried to reflatten it out and it did a little.  So I decided I would use it for this piece, add some collage and other mixed media to see what I would get.

I found another reference that had a lot of fuchsia in the jewelry, but then saw this and liked the reference and the way the woman's gaze was directed.   But, after I placed the woman I began to worry that it was going to look like it was two different pictures.  I am not sure that the teal strip on the left side is enough to tie it together.  I did a little research on Indian paintings to see what was included and many have the Lotus, so since that makes me think of serenity I thought it should go into the composition.

Primarily what I have here is acrylic.  But my experiment, cause you know I always have to do one, is that the face and hand are overpainted with oil pastel.  Got to say I was a bit worried about how to do all the jewelry and the fabric design.   But just sort of got started and had a bit of fun.   It was pretty fussy and I just tried to add a dab here or there and see if it would give me an impression of details.  Not real sure that the sequin-look successfully made it.

So what do you think -   entire  picture or just the portrait

Included the original reference because I know some of you like to see what I started with.  thanks much for stopping by and taking a look.

Reference

Comments

Sheila said…
Love it Nelvia! My first impression was that it was a huge mural. And that she had lots of shiny doo-dads on. YES! The sequins read well. I love what I see as reflections in water above her. As if she is in front of a lake or pond, and beyond that is a fabulous ornate building. I love both, alone and together. Seems sad to not include your wonderful bloom. Maybe, if it bothers you... add a bit of bling on the left. That small patch of blue at the bottom, sort of reads as a shoulder. You could add a bit of sequin there, a hint. Or maybe a bit of bokeh over part of the magenta. Just a hint. I love this though. Love her gaze, the details, the colors. And that top, reflection area keeps pulling me back. :)
April 3, 2019 at 12:02 AM
Mellowood Gallery said…
Wow! Fabulous work on the girl, Nelvia. My first thought was ; definitely two pictures. But, if you want to change the large one, I would suggest another flower close to the centre where her shoulder would be and to fade out the pink line on the top so it blends in with what Sheila calls the reflection. Either way the work is great.
April 3, 2019 at 10:08 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Shades of Pink

Image
Shades of Pink This is kind of a culmination of lots of things I have been working on for the last couple of  months.  It started with a photo I liked, putting it into GIMP I wanted to put it into color dropper and see what colors/tones were coming up.  They weren't quite striking enough so I then went to adjusting the color curves.   Came up with several options that I really liked.   Thought it might be a great fun way to better learn how to mix colors and do a little mini series as well.  Going to call it Shades of.... Then it was back into oils.   I kind of am addicted to them now that I got through the first painting.   I do really like how they blend.   Currently am using a styrofoam meat tray as my palette so I can just toss it when it is to messy to clean.  However this was more complex or something and I wasn't able to get it finished in just one sitting.  So I needed to utilize some of the painting medium for my oil...
Read more

Alluring

Image
Alluring I have to admit that while I have dabbled in it, I haven't been such a huge fan of charcoal.  Know a lot of the lessons I have combine paints and charcoal, and I have approached cautiously.  I just don't like the dirty look, or the mud that you can easily get.  Heck, I don't have any problem doing that with my paints. This week we had Robert Kelley as our instructor.  This guy is a master manipulator of charcoal.  He is a master.  It was wonderful to watch his several hours worth of video and listen to his thought process. Of course I always seem to have to deviate.  I thought I was going to try to do the straight lessons this year.  But Again I have finally decided to maybe use the same reference, or not, but let "my style" try to shine through.  I am not real sure what it is, but I am trying to give it free rein.  So I decided to use charcoal, but also add some color.  We have had nothing but days and days...
Read more

Nicolae's GF Laughing Giraffe mixed media portrait

Image
Nicolae's Giraffe Over the years we have decided the places we like to visit and have gone back multiple times.   In this day and age I think it is uncommon that in a hotel environment the workers would have been there 10-35 years.  So friendships develop.   Each of the people we have encountered have made our stays extra special in a variety of ways.   One of the ladies that works the check in desk had a baby last year.   Since we were unable to go in November we just saw her when we were in DC.   He is now 14 months, and in love with giraffes.  She has a yellow and gray nursery decor and I wanted to do a giraffe.   Wasn't sure if it should be the "kiddie" kind, but thought he might outgrow it.   So I decided to do one semi realistic so that he wouldn't outgrow it right away.  Aren't they just the strangest looking animal? I always wish I would keep my mouth shut, because it does worry me when I say I will paint something - it ...
Read more