Oil Portrait

This last week was very interesting! I had discussed with my sister if she wanted to sit for me, being my first live model portrait. Actually, now that I come to think of it, I have done a self portrait--I looked in the mirror for it, so it really was a live model--but that painting was horrible and my experience was decidedly lacking to compensate for my confusing and continual shifts of movement. Very annoying. I don't even remember what happened to that silly painting!

 

But anyway, I made another one over this last week, starting this Monday afternoon, and finishing yesterday. It was in oils, so it was necessary to take a little while for the layers to dry.

 

(Actually, there are several different ways that I could have done this portrait, one being alla prima, in which you do the main body of the painting in on sitting, but I decided to try a layered style.)

 

It was totally fun to do, although it was hard work, and one thing that I've always had a hard time with (for my sister's face, that is) is her lips. She has the most lovely curve to her lips, which I have never been able to capture quite satisfactorily. I think, in the end, I got it fairly well, although the expression is not quite what I was hoping for. But the whole effect was satisfactory for a first portrait and I am excited to try more soon, Lord willing.

Here's a picture of the painting partially done:

 



 

And here's a picture of the finished painting:

 

 

 

You can see the changes I made. Each layer would fix and refine the last layer.

 

All the way the through this painting I've been thinking of how I should be approaching painting, of what way I need to be thinking of it. So often I look at art as being my very own, my special possession. But I think you get a lot less satisfaction and joy out of thinking this way. This gift of painting is not my own; it was lent to me for a time. I should not think of it as being my own, as being something that I can keep for myself, or use for my glory, or store away and use to build up my own defenses and security. The work of my hands was given to me as a gift and I should remember the Giver throughout every action, every brushstroke, every mixing of the paints, every selection of canvas. I want to make sure that this is always about God, always about doing His will in my life.

 

So I want to give this painting to the Lord, and say that this is His and for His glory. It is He who showed me the beauty of the human face, He who gave me the fingers to paint and the eyes to see and the mind to connect the two. It is He who gives me courage to pursue art and to keep on pursuing it. I give Him the glory here, for it is His and unto Him it should be given and my art finds its source in Him.

 

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Shalom