Mary Rose

[Alexandra Tyng]

Chris, thanks so much for posting the WIPs. I love seeing how you built up the colors, but I found the brushstrokes especially interesting. The way you brush out into the edges of her face is something I've never seen before. Is it something you developed yourself, or did you learn it? I can see how it affects the edge. Also the forehead: many artists brush horizontally along the forehead, but your brushstrokes are vertical. Also, your diagonal strokes seem so orderly and purposeful, as all strokes should be, even when you are just beginning a painting. I like having this glimpse into how you work, since my trips to Phoenix are few and far between.

Alex

[Chris Saper]

Thank you all!

Regarding the brush strokes, I think they have come about since I started using 'grainer" brushes (aka Bob Ross wildlife fur brush, aka grass faux brush,aka rake brush and whatever else) to paint highlight transitions in hair. I like them so much I now use them all over the place.

These little brushes are more often in the craft section of places like Miichael's, are generally really cheap and designed for faux painting or decorative tole painting. They are overall shaped like a flat, but the last 15% or so of the brush hairs' lengths are feathered.

I only wish I could say that the brushstrokes' directions were purposeful. Sigh.

[Kimberly Dow]

This is just lovely and sweet. Her eyes are so nice and moist looking. Perfect highlights.