Irene Hess 1910 - 2010
Oil Portrait by Lisabelle
Portrait in Progress March 2010
16x20" Linen
An oil portrait of the Late Irene Hess. The Commissioner:Institute For Social Research, University of Michigan.
The portrait can be viewed in stages, in this image, is Lisabelle, sketching the oil portrait subject, from a photograph. A sketch familiarizes the artist, with the portrait subject. While drafting the image in this stage of a portrait. The artist uses this necessary operation as an opportunity to gain a clear visual sense of the physical form of the individual to be represented realistically, rendering a good, true likeness in the drawing of your portraits sitter or subject, is quintessential basics for a museum quality, classical and traditional, portrait in oil paint.
Every color can produce a variety of tones; how light or dark these are depends on the color. It's important to realize that tones are relative, that how dark or light they seem depends on what's going on around them. A tone that's obviously light in one context may seem darker in another, especially when it's surrounded by even lighter tones.
If a painting is going to be successful, you must get the tones right, otherwise it's going lack harmony. A good practice is studying a black and white photograph for an understanding of tonal values from light to dark and all the various grays in between. Color mixing and application, adjusting shapes and tones. Being careful with detail areas, if necessary, repainting lines to maintain correct likeness.
