The Young Artist Portrait

Young Artist 24x30 Oil on canvas

My daughter Clara loves to draw. I choose to paint her at the kitchen table with a marker in hand as I often find her. I began by taking a reference photo and then did a charcoal study drawing ( picture below.) I used an ultra smooth primed canvas. A smooth surface works better with the glazing techniques that I use. I painted a grisaille (under painting) in burnt sienna onto the canvas. I then used glazes followed by scumbling and some areas of wet on wet painting. My latest discovery that I will use on every painting hereafter is a modern Maroger medium! It is a glazing medium that adds a luminosity to the paint. I mixed a little bit in my thicker paint as well to create a paste so that the entire painting would have the same luminous appearance as the glazed areas.

reference photo and charcoal study - The final painting is slightly different. I removed some of the items on the wall and shortened Clara's hair to reflect a recent haircut.

the grisaille above was painted on the canvas in burnt sienna.

Wonderland Revisited

Wonderland oil on wood panel 20 x24

This is my first multi-figure, portrait painting. I painted Avery, Clara and Oliver playing make-believe in their Alice in Wonderland costumes. I used photo references from our photo shoot at Chandler park. This time I painted the grisaille under painting in the background red. In the story there is a baby that inexplicably turns into a pig so I painted Clara (Alice) holding a little pig. I added poppies in the field to both bring more of the reddish orange color into the composition and because it seemed like an obvious choice of flowers to appear in a Wonderland scene.

Clara's Portrait

Clara Oil on panel 11x14

Here is my second finished portrait. I worked from a photo reference for this one. It was meant to be a study for another painting. I wanted to try starting with an under painting (grisaille) in terra verte (green) like painters from the baroque period and more specifically like Manet used in Luncheon in the grass where he painted the females in green and the scenery and men in red. my grisaille is pictured below. A grissaille is essentially a value study in a single color that helps not only determine value but also composition.

Painting Portraits

Larry Oil on canvas by Heather Dixon

The new year has begun and with it I have begun a new art class. I am taking my first portrait painting class. It is on Saturday at Water Street Art Gallery in Sapulpa and is taught by local artist Evelyn Petroski. We had our first class yesterday and painted from a live model. the image above is the resulting painting. I have a lot to learn on the subject of portraits and I hope that you will be able to see my progress as the class continues. The drawings below are ones I did this week of Avery and Clara this week. They are charcoal, white conte and sanguine drawings on tinted paper. I am considering using them as studies for oil paintings in the future. I will be doing a similar drawing of Oliver next using the same materials. Unlike the painting above these drawings were done from photos as reference rather then a live model. (I do not think I could get the kids to sit still for 30 minutes let alone 4 hours!)

Clara Charcoal, conte and sanguine on tinted pastel paper by Heather Dixon

Avery Charcoal, conte and sanguine on tinted pastel paper by Heather Dixon

Memory Ornaments

Old family photos tend to get hidden away in trunks and albums. I have a number of such photos of my Grandma Hazel and Grandpa Cecil that have been stored away for years. This Christmas I wanted to remember my grandparents and give these treasured photos an honored place among the festivities. What better place then on the Christmas tree!

This was a simple project. First, I scanned the photos into the computer and printed them on printable water slide transfer paper. You can use the original photos but then you can not make more then one ornament with each photo. (These make great gifts so I wanted the ability to make multiples!) I bought ceramic white ornaments in different shapes at the craft store. After transferring the photo image onto the ornament I painted it with red craft paint. I added stripe and polka dot details with white paint pen and finished with a coat of shellac. On the back of the ornament I wrote any information I knew about the photo such as date taken and names. I look forward to sharing these photos and the memories they inspire with my family for many holidays to come.

Paper Doll Presents

Paper dolls are a stocking stuffer classic! In an attempt to give this retro gift a new spin I have made customized, magnetic paper dolls for my 5-year-old nieces, Maya and Peri. I drew dolls in their likeness and drew 4 different looks for them each to wear. They have a princess gown, a school look, a winter sports look and pajamas. I scanned the drawings into the computer, printed them onto printable magnetic sheets and cut them out. If you wish to make a custom paper doll but you do not wish to draw them you could use digital photos along with digital editing software. I purchased the printable magnetic sheets from www.dickblick.com but they may also be available at office supply stores.

The Christmas Art Box

My 5 year-old daughter Clara has recently become interested in art! She has requested both art supplies and "art lessons from mommy" for Christmas this year. Of course, I am thrilled with this new interest and I immediately went in search of the perfect art supply kit to inspire her. I found nothing on the market that was either fun enough for a creative, little girl or had the selection or quality of art supplies that I would like her to have. I decided I would have to create it myself. The result is a entirely custom art box complete with her initials, fun colors, flowers and, of course, a fair amount of sparkle. I found a vintage train case at the flea market and used fabric paint, paint pens, fuzzy letters and rhinestones to give it a new look. This was fairly inexpensive which gave me the opportunity to invest in some of my favorite art supplies with which to fill it. I can't wait to see her reaction on Christmas morning and I also can't wait to see the masterpieces she creates!