Sylvia at Seventeen
 

I recently posted a 1930 high school graduation photo over in the photo critique section, which you can see at http://forum.portraitartist.com/show...&threadid=3482

My client wanted this to be the basis of a figurative portrait of his mother, who today is a still beautiful, yet more mature woman. He wanted this to be a surprise for her.

His only directive was he wanted a beautiful painting of a beautiful young woman and left the rest up to me. I chose a Chinese motif, since this was popular at that time. I felt it was appropriate and would give me the opportunity to explore a variety of textures, appealing colors and interesting objects.

I found a model with a similar look who was the right size. I created the composition after locatinging the appropriate props and costume.

You can view a larger version on my website at http://www.fineartportrait.com/sylvia_painting.html

Closer than you think
 

This is a close-up of her head.

Marvin--

This is an awesome work.

In your workshop in June we got a look at the painstaking lengths that you went to to prepare the reference, including researching the design of the hair braid. All of that has obviously paid off. But none of that prep work overshadows or intrudes on the pure delight and integrity of the thing itself, which is the way it should be.

She's beautiful.

Best--Tom

Thank you Tom. I really appreciate your kind response. It means a lot to me.

Marvin,

She is beautiful, I'm so glad you decided to paint from the photo. I thought it was lovely, and would have loved to work from it myself. It's much better to see the results from the hands of a master. As always, please post more details.

Jean

Just WOW
 

Marvin,

How Beautiful. I wish I could see the look on the client's face when you unveil it.

I've been trying to work from a few old sepia's Tell me how you landed so well on the skin tones.

Your choice on "theme" is perfect for her expression. Absolutely perfect.

ReNae

Marvin, when I saw this, I actually said a bad word. It's amazing.

Lisa

Double WoW!
 

WoW, WoW!

Maybe later I can gather my wits enough to write something intelligent.

'Sylvia' has just blown me away.

Lisa! You only said one bad word? Surley, 'Sylvia'is worth more than that! Three bad words came out of my mouth all at the same time

:sunnysmil

This is obviously portraiture at the highest level. Magnificent color harmony, a beautiful subject skillfully rendered with expert precision. To me this portrait is an inspiration.

Lovely
 

Really a lovely head Marvin (and painting). How big is it?

I just saw something else - the moire pattern in the hem and highlights of the dress. Amazing.

Truly stunning in every sense of the word.

Congratulations, Linda

You guys think the .jpg is pretty cool, you should see the actual painting!!! :thumbsup: :D

The original is a good deal better. Better color harmony, better skin tones, better patterning and texture...better. From a small distance, I looked over at Marvin and Holly standing next to the painting, and the paintings skin tones were completely as life like, as theirs.

This one's a goody and then some. Exceptional work Marvin. :)

Thank you all for your very kind comments.

I will try to post more detailed shots but unfortunately I only shot the full composition on a 4 x 5 transparency. I'll have to shoot more close-ups. If I blow things up too much the grain of the photo supersedes the grain of the canvas. Here is a more enlarged version of her face.

The enlarged version of the painting that's posted on my site gives a much better sense of the painting. BTW the size of the original painting is 34" x 40".

The unveiling took place two weeks ago. There were about 30 people there. Sylvia was very stunned and the first thing she managed to say was, "I was never that beautiful!" Her sister said, "yes you were!" This was followed by a lot of crying and hugging. Everyone was touched by the magnificent gesture of love, from son to mother, this painting symbolized.

Melanie, the model I used for Sylvia's body double, was there accompanied by her mother, who was crying even though she didn't know anyone there. Melanie's boyfriend said he had to go home to call his mom and tell her how much he loved her.

Marvin,

I'm going to call my Mom also. What a joy it must have been to have the freedom to employ all that bottled up imagination. Your client should be commended for having the wisdom to give you a free rein. This is truly the best of what money can buy. Congratulations, this is my favorite MM.

Marvin,

I'm still stunned.

Jean

What an incredible painting, and a wonderful story to go with it! Thanks for posting it, and the details.

I know we'll be seeing this painting showing up a lot, winning awards and being featured in magazines.

Marvin
 

Im speechless, this is my absolute favorite of yours. Simply beautiful.

Marvin, this is a beautiful painting that pulls the viewer right into it. Congratulations on a terrific job well done. I loved the story behind it - this is what portraiture is all about.

...
 

...

Once again thank you for your wonderful responses.

Tim, what can I say? I was so thrilled by your response to the painting yesterday when you stopped by.

Thanks for your generous remarks regarding my teaching. Although, I am very happy about the progress I have been making in my own work, I'm far more satisfied about the terrific quality of work that's being generated by my students. Anyone who is a parent can appreciate where I'm coming from. Somehow the satisfaction grows geometrically.

I'm particularly thrilled with the artist you are becoming. One day, If I'm lucky, I may be remembered as Tim Mensching's teacher.

One of your best, Marvin. I really love the dress.

Shocking!
 

Shockingly Beautiful!

When the page opened I felt a shock in my entire body. It is absolutely breath taking and so much more. There are no words to describe how amazing this is!

Beautiful!
 

Beautiful piece Marvin! I was particularly impressed with the realism of the dress.

My wife saw this painting, slapped me on the back and proclaimed,"Now that's how natural looking flesh tones should be painted."

Mere words are not adequate to describe the beauty of this painting.

Thank you one and all for your generous praise. I never expected such an overwhelming response. I always try to give my best effort in whatever I do and it's so satisfying to receive this kind of feedback.

Marvin, as I told you before, this painting leaves me breathless. I know how much work you put into this and how your drive for excellence pushed you to complete the best painting possible. The story behind this painting and its unequaled beauty will stay with me as a lesson in what can be achieved.

Renee

Wow.

I do not have anything different to say than anyone already has, but I wanted to congratulate you. Amazing.

Whoa!
 

Wow, Marvin! This is a first prizer, a people's choice! Really splendid!

Thank you. You're compliments are much appreciated.

Cathy have you ever considered becoming a judge?

New Year's resolution
 

Marvin,

I've been reading your posts for several years now. You don't hold back, you say what you think. You're dedicated to your craft and love teaching all that you have learned.

I have plans (in the dream stage at this point), in the future when my caregiver role has run its course, to begin taking seminars, with several people in mind.

My New Year's resolution though, is that I will, come h*** or high water, if I have to work 2 jobs to get there, make my way to one of your seminars.

Thank you for the inspiration.

Happy Holidays to all,

Thanks Renee,

It's always nice to know that some people actually choose to read my words. I'm quite certain that my smiling face functions as a do not enter sign for others. I seem to have a great talent for polarizing people. They tend to either agree what I have to say or take it personally. It's one of side effects of being passionate.

I think if you make it to one of my classes you'll find it interesting. I love painting and I love to talk about it so teaching is a ntural outgrowth.

Many of my theories seem to run counter to what the vast majority of other teachers have to say. Other teachers tend to not like this about me. I think many very good artists don't really understand what it is that makes them good. They may have great intuition which, I feel, they've developed in spite of what they were taught.

When good artists are invariably asked to teach or write a book, they fall back on perpetuating, what I like to call, the myth (mis) information that they succeeded in spite of. So when I hear what is offered as gospel, it's difficult for me to kind of go along and not ruffle feathers for the sake of maintaining some level of decorum.

It's hard to keep myself from interjecting when I believe that there is the possibility that others may be led astray. Lately though, I have tried very hard to keep myself in check and simply allow those, such as yourself, the opportunity to hear my message and at the same time avoid draining confrontations with those who don't agree with me and never will.

I have observed first hand that in all areas of life, the vast majority of people don't know what they're doing. I think that this is true for doctors, accountants, plumbers, definitely polititions and certainly teachers of art.

So when people inquire about my teaching, I advise them that if they aren't able to study with me, they can always study with another teacher and simply do the opposite of what they are told. People quite often laugh at this silly little notion of mine. After all I am a pretty funny guy..

I look forward to hooking up one day.

UNTIL THEN
 

Marvin,
I'll see you in August in Atlanta.

Until then............You just keep knocking us out. ;)

Marvin,

This is gorgeous. I must include it in the rotating images on the SOG home page.

Thanks Cynthia, I really appreciate it.

This is truly a great work, such a strong sense of the serine. The composition is wonderful as well, hats off my friend!

Armin

Don't know how I missed this! Just breathtaking!

This one looks nice, Marvin.

Armin,

We belong to a mutual admiration society!

Terri,

Thanks for your generous response. I appreciate it.

Peter,

Thanks Peter, you don't know how much your words mean to me.

With every painting I create, my mind is geared towards finding the best solution for the assignment in hand. I really don't start with a particular approach in mind regarding content, composition or colors.

When this particular client approached me about doing this painting of his mother, at seventeen, all he had was her very faded and heavily retouched high school graduation photo.

He gave me the freedom to do whatever I wanted artistically. (Where I come from we call this a smart client). He said he just wanted this to be a painting of a beautiful young woman and if anyone knew it was his mom, so much the better.

Every time I would call him with an idea he would say, "I'm leaving it up to you. I trust your judgement. Just do what you think looks good."

I finally settled on the eastern motif since that was commonly used by the American Boston School painters Paxton & Tarbell, who were doing portraits at that time, 1930.

Once I decided on this theme, my client, who is an antique dealer, told me he had a friend whose house was decorated in Japanese and Chinese antiques. We went there and I chose certain objects from her collection and basically rearranged her living room. Once I had a dress that I felt would complete the composition, I took photos of the setup using a model that resembled his mother in size, build and features.

When I painted the actual portrait I was able to bring most of the props into my studio to paint them from life. I also had the model sit for me as well.

I fell that if I can go into planning a painting with an open mind I will be able to find a unique solution which in turn can broaden my horizons and stimulate my artistic growth. I am not interested in painting the same thing over and over.

I always try to incorporate at least some aspect I have never previously attempted in every portrait I do. The portrait I'm working on now has a completely different feel in every way, although it also happens to be a painting of a beautiful woman.

Thanks Sharon. Once I get a brush in my hand I enter another dimension. I'm sure it's the same for you. I love painting fabric.