April 10, 2010 - Day 243

Ink on 250gsm Stonehenge 100% Cotton Vellum Finish Paper

I am overjoyed with today's painting. I think it is my best star portrait to date. I don't say this often but I absolutely love this painting!

April 9, 2010 - Day 242

Ink on 250gsm Stonehenge 100% Cotton Vellum Finish Paper

I was very rushed all day today and really didn't have any time to paint. I did this painting very quickly just to get something done today. I kind of like the sad haunted look in her eyes.

April 8, 2010 - Day 241

Ink on 250gsm Stonehenge 100% Cotton Vellum Finish Paper

Nathion Fillion is one of my favorite actors. I loved him as "Captain Mal" on the Firefly series and Serenity movie and I am really enjoying his new show "Castle".

Not much else to say tonight. Still need to work on creating a more accurate and dynamic likeness but I am improving.

April 7, 2010 - Day 240

Ink on 250gsm Stonehenge 100% Cotton Vellum Finish Paper

Well, I'm getting better but still that little bit off. Close but no cigar. This is suppose to be Pierce Brosnan and while there is some resemblance it still doesn't totally look like him. I did learn today though that the brush picks up small amounts of ink as I layer and that I must keep washing my brush in clear water or it gets too dark. The ink stains so well that even my dirty rinse water can be used to paint some of the lightest areas.

April 6, 2010 - Day 239

Ink on 250gsm Stonehenge 100% Cotton Vellum Finish Paper

Today I attempted to paint a portrait of Michelle Pfeiffer and I don't think I captured her likeness at all. As I was painting though I thought that this woman looked like a fairy or an elf. If I would have painted a leaf crown or something it would have made a very nice fantasy picture. That might be something to consider for all my star portrait "failures" but for now I really want to be able to capture the likeness of a person. I have plans for a series of paintings but the whole series hinges on being able to paint an accurate likeness of a person.

Well here's hoping that practice makes perfect!

April 5, 2010 - Day 238

Ink on 250gsm Stonehenge 100% Cotton Vellum Finish Paper

This is suppose to be Keifer Sutherland from Lost Boys but it didn't turn out very well at all. I love the eyes but the I really screwed up the hair and top of the head. The face should have been narrower as well.

Tonight I was really anxious about even starting a portrait. I had a hard time deciding what I wanted to do and was hesitant in my brush and pen strokes. I just was afraid of attempting something and failing. Oh well, today is done. Maybe tomorrow's painting will be more to my liking.

April 4, 2010 - Day 237

Ink and watercolor on
250gsm Stonehenge 100% Cotton Vellum Watercolor Paper

Tonight I thought I would try painting a young Elizabeth Taylor. I created the painting as usual with pen and ink as seen in the top picture. Once that was dry I layered watercolor washes over top. It is OK but needs more practice. I don't feel that I achieved the likeness and I am unsure how to shade the area between the eyes and cheeks. I do think that layering watercolor over top of the ink does give it that retro 1940's feel to it.