Portrait of us

We returned from a trip to the beautiful state of Oregon the day before my painting class (eek!) so I found myself in a rush to pick a new subject and prep my canvas for class.  I settled on one of my favorite pictures of my husband and I back in our dating years. It was taken after a long motorcycle ride to Kettle Morraine State Park.  I braided my hair to keep the wind from whirling my hair into a knot.  Anyway it was a fun hike even with the hordes of mosquitoes and my poor moto-sore butt because I was crazy in love with that cutie beside me.  :)

Anyway back to the painting.  So I started Just washing in colors. I always feel so relieved when there's less white canvas. Then I did another pass with thicker paint.  As I worked I decided to change the background.  I knew right away I wasn't happy with the thin spray of branches and countless tiny leaves so I found an out of focus forest and photoshoped it into my background. 

 

 I also had a cloth slung over my shoulders that was an awkward shape so I removed it in photoshop using a layer mask.  

I used the Nova Color acrylics again I just love that paint!  It's not too thick and mixes so nicely.  This is actually the first portrait I've painted of my husband and I.  I guess I was scared to paint one before because it's always hardest to paint people you know.  But in this case I didn't want to finish it because the memories of those days are so sweet.

Anyway this painting will be up at a show in November at the hospital gallery.  It won't be for sale but maybe someone will be interested in commissioning a portrait.  :)  I'm so thankful for my teacher getting us involved in showing our work.  I hope there will be more gallery showings in my future!

14" x 18" 

acrylic on canvas