Eclectic Studio - Tammy Morrison-Koenig

Add caption How do you know when a sketch or painting is finished? Well, that is the age-old question that has plagued many of the even seasoned artists and the answer really lies with the artist itself. These portrait sketches are good examples of portraying age, through eyes and hairline rather than exaggerated wrinkles. Sometimes less is more.

I had a very productive day yesterday. The kiddo`s have been down sick so it has been very quiet the last few days. I finished up a few paintings that have been sitting in my `they are starting to fall apart, so i will put it away for a while box``. This one of the old lady in the window is one of those projects that really gets me out of my comfort zone of painting tight. It has elements that I love, the contrast of lights against darks and the imagery of what the woman is thinking about. It is a small piece measuring only 3.25 * 4 inch so my intention was not for detail but for impression. Hope you enjoy. (referral affiliate link- all that means is that if you click on the image, and decide to purchase, I would receive a teeny tiny %. There is no cost to you by using my referral link)

It has been a long time since I posted a demo so I will take this opportunity and share with you my latest commission. This is Maia, her wonderful husband asked me to paint this gorgeous picture of his wife as a surprise for her birthday. Awe isn't he just so sweet. I have known this couple for many years and was so honoured when asked, and in all reality who could pass up such a beautiful model. :D Step 1: This is the third workup of the line drawing hence the 2 pieces of paper taped together, nothing fancy here. So I waited for a nice bright day taped her to the window and transferred her to my watercolor paper. The hard part is over. I think that probably my most challenging aspect of this project was the fact that I knew this lady and wanted to do her justice. Stage 2: Lets add color. So in this stage I masked out some key highlights, like the glints of lights from the underskirt and earring, and eyes. The other highlights, like the one on her shoulder I could work around be...

Some of you have already sent your little ones off to school... we are doing the big count down to the first day of Kindergarden. YEAH!!! So while "B" is working on her school prep mom is sitting at her easle painting up a new aceo. This one features an african woman carrying her wares off to market. It measures 2.5 * 3.5 in watercolor on 140lb CP arches paper. Hope you enjoy.

Good Morning All. Ive had the luxury of the kids sleeping in this morning so I got a few 10 min portraits done. I am actually very pleased in how they came out. They are bright, fresh.. and the best part they actually look human. ;) 2.75 *2.75 in acrylic on mini stretched canvas 3 * 3.75 in acrylic on 600lb rough watercolor paper On a side note, My wonderful husband has been modeling for me over the past few weekends, I started out with 3 - 15 min sessions of quick sketches.. which turned out so good, he has allowed me to paint him from life. I have never done anything like this and it is so exciting. :) After a 1 hour session - from sketch to blocking in local color - it already looks like him. I hope to get a picture today while it is nice outside and get it up sometime this weekend. Hope you enjoy

I swear I was born with a pencil in my hand, as my first love will always be drawing. Growing up I really never got much encouragement to pursue my passion for art so out of necessity to get rid of all of this creative energy it was for the most part me and my pencil. I have about 25 sketchbooks scattered around my house, stuck in my purse, hiding in my glove box.. lol, but they are available at any time for my amusement. So I thought I would share a few of my portrait practices while I get back to painting. Hope you enjoy

I heard the most thought provoking thing this week when it came to painting portraits. "Every skin tone is made up of the 3 primaries - yellow, red and blue. The only thing that makes us differant is the amount of water used.: I wish I can remember where I heard it, because it has so much truth to it. When i paint people, I use variations of the just the 3 primaries This is the latest in my portrait trading card series and was created using raw sienna, rose madder and cobalt blue. I love her little smirk, it adds a little something to an otherwise dull portrait. Hope you enjoy. 2.5 * 3.5 inch format watercolor on 140lb CP Click Here For Auction!