Watercolor portrait

[Amado]

I did a portrait commission this year - finished it up just in time to send off before Christmas. Image size is 9.5" x 10.5".



I also took some photos in progress, and put them together in a video (need to set up a stand so the pictures all end up in the same spot on the video, this one jumps around a bit).

Video here: http://youtu.be/XC4t06tgrKM

[KathyK]

The person who commissioned it must be over the moon! The depth of talent on this board is astonishing.

[TeresaB]

Wow, that is beautiful!

[Backyarder]

I have dabbled at watercolors and dabbled at drawing..I am in awe..amazing ..love it...I can only dream of ever being this good.

[VBOpie]

Amado,
This is absolutely gorgeous work! I love it!

[Josette]

Stunning! The details and colors are beautiful!

[Code3]

Wow! Stunning!

[Rosie B]

Amado - this is gorgeous! The light is absolutely wonderful.

[cb06]

The person who commissioned it must be over the moon! The depth of talent on this board is astonishing.

^^
Yes!
That is really stunning work. Just beautiful.

[Chisamba]

i find the detail and the depth amazing for a watercolor

[Paints]

Beautiful. I watched the youtube and the one of the kitty. It is really interesting seeing the pictures develop.

[Kyra's Mom]

I echo everyone else with the superlatives. Beautiful...WOW.
AND watercolor!

[LeoApp]

i find the detail and the depth amazing for a watercolor

I was thinking the same thing. Absolutely gorgeous!

[PNG_Pony]

beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

[periastra]

You are amazingly gifted. WOW is right.

[StraightForward]

Amado - this is gorgeous! The light is absolutely wonderful.

That's what I was thinking; it glows. Gorgeous!

[hoopoe]

yes the lighting is excellent. So often there is a false feeling about light.

The riders face the obvious bend through the horses neck

it feels very natural. I am sure the owner is going to be thrilled

there is also a feeling and expression of love and connection that comes through the rider

[demi]

Pretty, pretty, pretty!
The video was really cool, too!

[Amado]

Thank you for all your kind words! I think the key to a successful portrait painting (I paint from photographs) is finding the right photograph to work from. I picked this photo out of probably 20 or so that the person sent me - the focus has to be good, and the light has to be interesting - good highlights and shadows in the right places, and everything has to look "believable". Meaning if there are any odd angles or perspectives - they will become really apparent when you paint them - you don't always question those things when they are in a photograph, but in a painting they really stick out, and don't look "real". (If that makes sense). This is a closeup of the photo I used, I decided the background was distracting so I took it out. And the person who commissioned me wanted pink in the saddle pad, so I changed the color of the riders shirt to match.



I took a picture of the photo with my iPad and painted from it- technology has changed everything, because now I can zoom in - and my old eyes don't have to squint for the detail any more! Here's the setup on my desk: