Changing faces

Perhaps I didn't take a long enough break from the studio. I want to break out of past painting habits and create something new. I'm not there yet. I will keep at it.
Here is the older painting that I thought was boring and the one I painted over it. I have included the video of the process. Seeing my work in photographs, I can more easily see the weaknesses.

https://youtu.be/4by1GHqZ2xI

oil and cold wax

oil on canvas - better, but still not right

Fifty Faces Finished

The face are finished and now I am working on the book. I am having quite a few challenges with the layout on Blurb. I have made 3 Blurb books before, but probably not during Mercury Retrograde, when the planets seem to want to test my patience. I have lost everything at least 4 times and had to start over. I'm practicing my yoga breathing.

Here is the final face:

Face #49

Tomorrow I will post the last face in this series. I am glad I cut it down to 50 faces rather than the original 100 I had planned. I haven't become tired of it. It has been an interesting challenge to keep the images fresh and not over worked and still capture a likeness. As always, the eyes are important to me. I like painting them and feel as if I am looking into the personality of my subject.

Face #48, A beautiful Woman; A beautiful Friend

Face #45

Yesterday, my helper and I installed 45 faces in the gallery. Five more will go up next Tuesday when he returns.  I think I am finished with 2 more - I'll look at them later, so there are only 3 more to go. It is interesting to me that I do not feel burned out and still find each face fascinating, but I am happy that I decided to make only 50 rather than the original 100.

I have been asked if they are for sale. Yes, they are and can be removed after the show. (I will figure out the date soon) The price is $425 + shipping. I will do commissions if you want your portrait and I haven't been able to include it in this series. The price will be $550, for the same 10" x 10" painting. Of course, I offer larger portraits as well and they are priced by size.

I am pleased on how they look grouped together and I will post a photo later.

The first visitors came in the afternoon and they had fun posing with their portraits.

Fifty Faces # 34

Thirty Three out of Fifty Faces

I bought more boards and have to paint them with black gesso. I then will have all the boards prepared.

I finished # 33 today and have 5 more started.

More people are asking to buy their portrait, and of course they are available for purchase at $425 U.S. plus shipping. They can be purchased before the exhibition in June. I can go ahead with the book just with the final photos.

A face I missed posting

So much for leaving the studio by 3 pm. I am so involved with the faces that time just flies by. I forget about my sore feet and just keep painting.

This portrait was one I did last month, but I don't think I posted it, so here goes:

Fifty Faces - #31 process of a portrait

Shelves are filling up with faces

I am surrounded by faces watching me while I work; all kinds of expressions, ages, and states of completion... It is rather like being with an extended family.

Portrait Project #29, Fifty Faces

I bought more boards, brushes and paint. My studio is filling up with faces.

I am asked, "When are you going to have the show of the faces?" I will have the exhibition when they are finished. I hope in a couple of months. I am planning the layout in my home gallery.

 I would like to paint everyday, but life, sometimes, gets in the way. Yesterday, I went shopping in Leon for the first time and I was able to buy comfortable shoes, for my old feet, that I can not get in San Miguel.

Today, I am teaching some 40 year olds how to start a blog. I don't think it will take all day, so I should be able to spend a few hours in the studio.

I know I asked for unsmiling photos, but when Janet sent me her selfie, I accepted the challenge, because I can not image her not smiling.