"Alexis Surprise"

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Alexis Surprise

6" x 6"

Oil on canvas panel

Amber L Bailey

Another lucky person chosen from my Facebook friends list, ha. Alexis Cone, talented musician. My camera has a mind of it's own. Does anyone have tips on photographing paintings? This is like a totally different painting than the "real life" version. Sorry Alexis, you moved too far away, I'd love to show you your portrait in person. Anyhow, this is Alexis. I call it Alexis Surprise because of the obvious expression. However, it is part of a photograph that I cropped. The photo has a story of its own. I'll leave that to Alexis. I really enjoyed this painting. I think it's my favorite yet of these small portraits. Alexis made a great subject with her big eyes and pillowy lips. Really though, if anyone has tips on taking a good picture of a painting (other than taking it outside because even that doesn't improve the quality much), please comment! Thanks!

I have 4 of these small portraits completed, I wish I had time to do one every day! It's amazing how working all day long cuts into a person's life, haha. I laid out the finished ones on a table and got to thinking how awesome they would look as part of a bigger mural of squares...I think this project is going somewhere.

Mandy

Buy "Mandy" at my Etsy shop

"Mandy"

6" x 6"

Oil on canvas

Amber L Bailey

I have started a project that I think is going to be a great exercise and fun for the people involved. (It's a secret.) I randomly picked this picture of my junior high school friend, Mandy, to paint. She has no idea I painted her...yet. This is another one of my small plein air panels. It was a fun little piece to paint.

Zachary

SOLD

Zachary

6" x 6"

Oil on canvas

Amber L Bailey

I have to say how excited I am to have my plein air panels! Tonight was my first night trying out the small 6" x 6" squares and the painting just seemed to fall together all by itself. I started with a burnt umber under painting and then blocked in Zachary's face like a value study, then proceeded with my mix of cadmium red hue and permanent green light, etc etc. I have had this picture of Zach for a while and have been meaning to paint it. I'm sure I will have to reshoot this painting in daylight and do away with the light reflecting from the wet oil. By the way, my friend Jennifer (in the portrait below) is the photographer. Her link is in my list of links - Jennifer Burggren. Zachary is Jennifer's nephew for those who were curious. :)