29 Faces Challenge Completed & a New Painting Started...

29 Faces Shared in September All Together

I'm taking a small break from sharing the LACMA Surrealist show this Monday and sharing a grouping of my 29 faces for the 29 faces challenge.  The challenge was to share 29 faces in the month of September, and it was definitely inspiring.  I tried some poses and angles I don't usually attempt, some worked out, some didn't.  This time I shared a mix of sketches that I did specifically for the challenge and paintings that I'd done before...

I'm not sure if I'll participate in the challenge again or not or when, I'm leaning towards yes, but we'll see.  If you're interested in learning more about the challenge, the information is here:

http://29faces.blogspot.com/

This is the start of a painting from one of the faces I sketched for the challenge.  It is a work in progress.  At this point I just have the sketch down and some texture for the background.

I am linking this post with Inspire Me Monday

http://www.create-with-joy.com/

29 Faces Challenge, Face 29!

This is my 29th face for the 29 faces challenge!  The challenge is to share 29 faces in the month of September.  This girl is one I've redrawn.  I typically start with a rough sketch, then if I decide to use it for a painting, I redraw it more carefully.  For this peekaboo look girl, the changes are fairly subtle.  I've changed the shape of her eye slightly and the side of her face a bit as well.  For tomorrow, I'll try to put together all of the 29 faces on one page.  I think the challenge was definitely worth doing!


To view more Sunday Sketches, please visit:
http://www.bluechairdiaryillustrations.com/

29 Faces Challenge, Face 28...

This is my 28th face for the 29 faces challenge.  The challenge is to share 29 faces in the month of September.  This is another challenging pose that I wouldn't usually take on, but as a sketch for the challenge, I decided to give it a go...

Leonardo da Vinci Inspired Painting + 29 Faces 26 & 27...

This is a commission painting I was able to deliver recently.  It's titled "Wendy on the Rocks."  It is loosely inspired by Leondardo da Vinci's painting "Virgin of the Rocks."  The lovely Wendy is the client's wife and Beau and Belle are their beautiful Bichon Frise kids.  I'm posting all of my work in progress pictures here today, but it definitely took me more than a week to finish this 11"x14" acrylic painting.  I hope you will enjoy seeing it.

Tin was a fantastic client and took the amazing reference photographs that I used for Wendy and the pups.

Before I began the painting, I did some larger sketches of Wendy's face and the two dogs, although in the painting their features are very small, I wanted to try and capture their features before I scaled them down to fit the size of the painting.  Alex Ledante helped me get everything to scale before I began. 

Face 26 Sketch of Wendy

Work in Progress I

Work in Progress II

Work in Progress III

Work in Progress IV

Finished Painting & Face 27

I'm also counting the sketch as my 26th face and the finished painting as my 27th face for the 29 faces challenge.  The challenge is to share 29 faces in the month of September.

I'm joining in this week with Paint Party Friday.  To see more participants, please visit:

http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/

29 Faces Challenge, Face 25...

Face 25

This is my 25th face for the 29 faces challenge.  The challenge is to share 29 faces in the month of September.  Here is a very happy, smiling girl...

An Original Painting of a Fairy Angel, a Kitten Art Print, and More Prints! + 29 Faces 24

My featured print auction for the week is on ebay here.  It is titled "Make Time to Cuddle" and is of a big eyed Siamese kitten.  I also have additional giclee art prints here.

They're all based on my original paintings and are starting today and ending next Tuesday.  This week I've selected a mermaid, a landscape, flowers, a fairy puppy, and a mystic foal...

Most of my art is also available on my website at http://www.lisarusso.com; however, I like to offer some art on ebay at a lower promotional start rate for the duration of the auctions...  The prints have a start price that's approximately 20% off and the original art has a start price that's approximately 25% off!

Actually the prints are at a lower price point this week, I may also lower the prices on my website so that they're only 20% more than the start price that they are on ebay, but I haven't had a chance to do that yet.

Face 24

I'm listing this original painting here and the print of it is here.  The title is "Lace Wings" and it is of a Latina gothic fairy angel...

This is also my 24th face for the 29 faces challenge.  The challenge is to share 29 faces in the month of September.  I've shared her before, but in the rules it says it's okay to share some older works as long as the majority of the faces are new faces.  This lovely lady has big purple eyes...    

If you miss this seven day auction, this painting also lives on my website here.

Dorothea Tanning & Rosa Rolanda Surrealist Artists from In Wonderland at LACMA + 29 Faces 23

A while back, I went to the LACMA show In Wonderland: The Surrealist Adventures of Women Artists in Mexico and the United States.  These are two of the artists who captured my attention.  Dorothea Tanning did a fascinating family portrait and Rosa Rolanda's works at this show that grabbed me were some of her self portraits.

Dorothea Tanning, Portrait de famille (Family Portrait)

Rosa Rolanda, Self Portrait Photogram

Rosa Rolanda, Autorretrato (Self-Portrait), 1952

Rosa Rolanda, Autorretrato (Self-Portrait), 1945

I am linking this post with Inspire Me Monday

http://www.create-with-joy.com/

Face 23

Also, here is my sketch for the 29 Faces Challenge, it is my 23rd face.  The goal is to share 29 faces in the month of September.  This isn't an angle I usually attempt, with the really big eyes that I like to draw and paint, it sort of skews the perspective a bit, but since part of the challenge is to attempt things we don't usually do, I decided to give it a go...

29 Faces Challenge, Face 22...

Face 22

This is my 22nd face for the 29 faces challenge.  The challenge is to share 29 faces in the month of September.  This is the same girl as my 20th face, but with a slightly different pose, I think this one works a little better...


To view more Sunday Sketches, please visit:
http://www.bluechairdiaryillustrations.com/

29 Faces Challenge, Face 21...

This is my 21st face for the 29 faces challenge.  The challenge is to share 29 faces in the month of September.  I think we're heading into the final stretch now...

Mermaid Painting Work in Progress + 29 Faces 20...

Here is a bit more progress on the mermaid painting "Looking In" that I am working on.  I'm still working on her face, there's more to do, but she's starting to come together...

Here is a sketch of a big eyed girl with long flowing hair.  She is my 20th face for the 29 faces challenge.  The challenge is to share 29 faces in the month of September.


I'm joining in this week with Paint Party Friday.  To see more participants, please visit:
http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/

International Talk Like a Pirate Day & 29 Faces Challenge, Face 19...

Ahoy mateys! This be my 19th face for the 29 faces challenge.  T' challenge be t' share 29 faces in t' month o' September.  In honor o' International Talk Like a Pirate Day I have sketched this bonnie pirate lass...

Orchids at the Bank Photograph & 29 Faces 18...

I'll bet you thought that I never go anywhere besides art museums and gardens...  Well, that's usually the case, but sometimes I do venture out to other places.  These orchids were a new addition to the lobby at the bank and I thought they were lovely.  I also like the flower blooming below them, but I'm not sure what the name of it is.


Although I'm somewhat Wordy, I am participating in Wordless Wednesday.  To see more Wordless Wednesday links, please visit:
http://blog.aquariann.com/
http://www.create-with-joy.com/

This is my 18th face for the 29 faces challenge.  The challenge is to share 29 faces in the month of September.  I think she has a very sweet quality...

An Original Painting of a Fairy Angel, a Hummingbird Art Print, and More Prints! + 29 Faces 17

My featured print auction for the week is on ebay here.  It is titled "Beautiful Day" and is a hummingbird in flight.  This is the first time I've offered this one as a print!  I also have additional giclee art prints here.

They're all based on my original paintings and are starting today and ending next Tuesday.  This week I've selected fairy angels, a deep red rose, a dog, a fawn, and goddesses...

Most of my art is also available on my website at http://www.lisarusso.com; however, I like to offer some art on ebay at a lower promotional start rate for the duration of the auctions...  The prints have a start price that's approximately 20% off and the original art has a start price that's approximately 25% off!

Actually the prints are at a lower price point this week, I may also lower the prices on my website so that they're only 20% more than the start price that they are on ebay, but I haven't had a chance to do that yet.

Face 17

I'm listing this original painting here and the print of it is here.  The title is "Gabrielle" and it is of a fairy angel loosely inspired by Renoir...

This is also my 17th face for the 29 faces challenge.  The challenge is to share 29 faces in the month of September.  I've shared her before, but in the rules it says it's okay to share some older works as long as the majority of the faces are new faces.  This gothic beauty was definitely a joy to paint...    

If you miss this seven day auction, this painting also lives on my website here.

Bridget Bate Tichenor Surrealist Artist from In Wonderland at LACMA + 29 Faces 16

A while back, I went to the LACMA show In Wonderland: The Surrealist Adventures of Women Artists in Mexico and the United States.  My attention was captivated by artist Bridget Bate Tichenor.  She had a number of pieces there, but these are the ones which drew me in the most.  I was fascinated by  Los encarcelados (The Imprisoned).  It made me curious as to what inspired the piece, they didn't have any information at the show and I wasn't able to find out anything via google, so I'm afraid it will be a mystery to me...  I also liked Líderes (Leaders), from reading about it I learned that she related these figures to spiritual guides.  Her technique involved multiple glazes built up with oil paints.

Bridget Bate Tichenor, Los encarcelados (The Imprisoned)

Bridget Bate Tichenor, Los encarcelados (The Imprisoned) Close Up I

Bridget Bate Tichenor, Los encarcelados (The Imprisoned) Close Up II

Bridget Bate Tichenor, Los encarcelados (The Imprisoned) Close Up III

Bridget Bate Tichenor, Los encarcelados (The Imprisoned) Close Up IV

Bridget Bate Tichenor, Líderes (Leaders)

Bridget Bate Tichenor, Líderes (Leaders) Close Up

I am linking this post with Inspire Me Monday

http://www.create-with-joy.com/

Face 16

Also, here is my sketch for the 29 Faces Challenge, it is my 16th face.  The goal is to share 29 faces in the month of September.  I believe this is the first time as an adult I've drawn a girl with pigtails..  I've always thought it was a very cute look though.

29 Faces Challenge, Face 15...

This is my 15th face for the 29 faces challenge.  The challenge is to share 29 faces in the month of September.  I have a tendency to make 3/4 view faces more straight on.  I was attempting to have her be more 3/4, and I think she is, but still more straight on then she is in my reference.  I may redraw her at some point and try again, or start fresh with a different face.  That won't be next, but I will give this goal another attempt...

At this point I'm approximately half way through the challenge!


To view more Sunday Sketches, please visit:
http://www.bluechairdiaryillustrations.com/

29 Faces Challenge, Face 14...

This is my 14th face for the 29 faces challenge.  The challenge is to share 29 faces in the month of September.  Although I'm working on paintings with faces this month, I'm mainly posting sketches.  This one is fairly rough, sometimes I do a warm up sketch before I do more sketching and that is the case with this sketch...

Work in Progress Mermaid Painting + 29 Faces 13...

Here is a bit of progress on the mermaid painting "Looking In" that I am working on.  Although I'm not done with her face yet, I am thinking about the color of her hair.  I had intended to give her some blue streaks, but I'm getting the feeling she wants her hair to be dark brown.

Here is a sketch of a girl with a red tailed hawk perched on her shoulder.  She is my 13th face for the 29 faces challenge.  The challenge is to share 29 faces in the month of September.

I'm joining in this week with Paint Party Friday.  To see more participants, please visit:

http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/

29 Faces Challenge, Face 12...

This is my 12th face for the 29 faces challenge.  The challenge is to share 29 faces in the month of September.  I am enjoying sketching more frequently.  I still have some sketches that go better than others, but even though I won't be painting all of these, I think that some of these have some definite potential!

Descanso Gardens Yellow Water Lily Photograph & 29 Faces 11...

I took this photo at Descanso Gardens.  This yellow water lily is peeking up through the green lily pads...


Although I'm somewhat Wordy, I am participating in Wordless Wednesday.  To see more Wordless Wednesday links, please visit:
http://blog.aquariann.com/
http://www.create-with-joy.com/

This is my 11th face for the 29 faces challenge.  The challenge is to share 29 faces in the month of September.  I think this one has a bit of an Alice in Wonderland feeling to her...

An Original Painting of a Mermaid, a Blue Angel Art Print, and More Prints! + 29 Faces 10

My featured print auction for the week is on ebay here.  It is titled "Deep in Thought" and is a pensive blue angel.  I also have additional giclee art prints here.

They're all based on my original paintings and are starting today and ending next Tuesday.  This week I do not have a theme, I've selected fairy angels, ocean views, purple flowers, and mermaids...

Most of my art is also available on my website at http://www.lisarusso.com; however, I like to offer some art on ebay at a lower promotional start rate for the duration of the auctions...  The prints have a start price that's approximately 20% off and the original art has a start price that's approximately 25% off!

Face 10

I'm listing this original painting here and the print of it is here.  The title is "The Gift" and it is of a little mermaid with a gift for her sea turtle friend...

This is also my 10th face for the 29 faces challenge.  The challenge is to share 29 faces in the month of September.  I've shared her before, but in the rules it says it's okay to share some older works as long as the majority of the faces are new faces.  This little mermaid with her long flowing purple hair and big eyes is one of my favorites...    

If you miss this seven day auction, this painting also lives on my website here.

Remedios Varo Surrealist Artist from In Wonderland at LACMA III + 29 Faces 9

A while back, I went to the LACMA show In Wonderland: The Surrealist Adventures of Women Artists in Mexico and the United States.  I did two posts of some images of art that moved me by Remedios Varo.  This is my favorite image of hers that I saw, it's titled "Harmony."  The words here about the artist are the same, but the images are ones I haven't shared before.

Remedios Varo, Armonía (Harmony)

Remedios Varo, Armonía (Harmony) Close Up I

Remedios was born in Spain, but fled to Paris during the Spanish Civil War.  She moved to Mexico due to the Nazi occupation of France.  Mexico is were she spent the remainder of her life.  She generally worked in oils on masonite panels that she prepared herself.  I hadn't seen the artwork of this surrealist artist before this exhibit, I found myself very drawn to her works. 

Remedios Varo, Armonía (Harmony) Close Up II

Remedios Varo, Armonía (Harmony) Close Up III

The first post is here and the second post is here.

I am linking this post with Inspire Me Monday

http://www.create-with-joy.com/

Face 9

Also, here is my sketch for the 29 Faces Challenge, it is my 9th face.  The goal is to do 29 faces in the month of September.    She has a little dragonfly friend...

29 Faces Challenge, Faces 7 and 8...

Face 7 and Face 8

These are my 7th and 8th faces for the 29 faces challenge.  The challenge is to create 29 faces in the month of September.  I didn't have a chance to post one yesterday, so I'm posting two today.  I was going to put together a grouping of my faces every Sunday up to the most current ones posted, but I think I'm going to do that as a complete group together at the end of the month.


To view more Sunday Sketches, please visit:
http://www.bluechairdiaryillustrations.com/