A Young Lady

As I continue to work with watercolor in my year-long commitment to paint, I occasionally challenge myself to try a portrait, which is considerably more nerve-wracking than drawing plants or even some animals. A branch or twig can be in the wrong place and no one would notice. Put the nose in the wrong place and you might as well start over. Some day soon I’ll try a watercolor portrait from life, after I’ve practiced a bit with photos. This young lady’s photo was offered up for experimentation on wet canvas, and I enjoyed the time I spent with her.
I didn’t take the time to paint the background this time, as my objective was really to experiment with flesh tones and to try to get somewhat of a likeness.

Two of my favorite pups – 1998

Photograph | May 25, 2006 | By

“But time makes you bolder
Children get older
I’m getting older too”

–Landslide, Stevie Nicks

I was consolidating and cataloging some digital photos and came across this.
Today … Mike just turned 21, and Rip’s almost 8.
Bulldog puppies don’t get that characteristic jaw until they mature. When they’re this age they look pretty much like other puppies.

A more grownup picture of Mike and Ripley is on his masthead, here
Uh, the masthead, not the lampshades.