I just wanted to share with you my newest portrait painting. A quick note, this is an upcoming Father’s Day present so don’t blow the surprise if you know this happy dad. I had received a commission of this little boy as a newborn over a year ago and never got to it. Once I finally painted the discussed newborn painting I decided he also needed an up to date portrait, sort of a “sorry I took forever” sort of thing. Since it was a surprise, it took a little research to find a promising pic but luckily with social media and new mothers I had plenty of pictures to choose from. I found this adorable challenge of him with his daddy and wanted to paint it right away. How sweet and crisp would this look in a watercolor?
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| Before |
I like to see this little tyke candid and laughing, I also wanted to make sure to bring attention to the little man on top of the world. I loved this other expression of his in another photo and clues on Facebook tell me that this is one of his mother’s favorites as well. He even had a polo shirt on in each photo so it was easy to swap around. I was a little worried about the hat and the two heads stacked one above the other. They might create a very symmetrical picture, like a totem pole or something contrived and unappealing but luckily it was as cute as I had envisioned it.
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| With a little inspired change |
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| Beginning the skin tones |
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| checking out my options with computer help |
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| 9×12 watercolor |