Young Harpist

Joy Thomas · 02-14-2006, 04:07 AM

Congratulations, Alex!

I like the hue of the hair highlights.

Joy Thomas
www.portraitartist.com/thomas

Mischa Milosevic · 02-14-2006, 06:34 AM

Alex, grate job! I love the painterly look! Everything is there the sheer, the shine, precision and the flow. You have captured the grace of the sitter and the passion she has for music. Yes!

Cynthia Feustel · 02-14-2006, 08:00 AM

Alex,

I followed this closely in the WIP section. It was a privilege to watch your process, both in painting and the thought that went behind each decision. I'm so glad that you posted this finished work . It looks stunning on my computer. I can only imagine that in real life it must be truly impressive!!!

Alexandra Tyng · 02-14-2006, 09:38 AM

Allan, thanks all over again. Do you mean the baseboard? I swear I fixed the ^(*^)*&)(*#$^$% thing with a ruler no less, but it does look funny in the photo.

Garth, you are a pal! You keep likening my work to that of famous artists. First it was Peale, now Eakins. Of course you happen to pick some of my favorites. It might have too much color in it for Eakins' taste, though.

Alexandra Tyng · 02-14-2006, 10:05 AM

I forgot to mention the dimensions: 68" x 44"

Thanks Jean, Joy, Mischa, and Cynthia!

I realized I should give some kind of background information on this painting. It is part of a series I am working on so it was not originally a commissioned piece, but it may be purchased by the family of the girl. She is a teenager, a serious harpist, and this was an attempt to show a musician in the act of playing, accurately with respect to hand position, feet/pedal position, posture, etc. I wanted to capture the feeling of grace and hard work that go into playing the harp. It's really a very difficult instrument to play, because hands and feet are working together. Thanks for noticing that, Mischa. For those of you who haven't followed my WIP, it explains in more detail.

It's funny about color: I seem to enjoy it and appreciate it more as time goes on. The hair, Joy, happens to be one of my favorite parts of the painting because from afar it looks so dark, practially fading into the background, but when you get up close it is made up of all these purples, blues, and oranges. It was a lot of fun to paint.

Kimberly Dow · 02-14-2006, 10:53 AM

This is just gorgeous Alex! Congratulations! I so want to do larger pieces, youve inspired me.

Elizabeth Schott · 02-14-2006, 11:02 AM

Oh Alex this came out just lovely!

I can hear the music coming from those delicate fingers!

She must have been trilled, as you must be too!

Beth

Alexandra Tyng · 02-14-2006, 11:09 AM

Oh, Kim, you have inspired me equally! Thank you. That reminds me--congratulations on your Charity getting into the OPA show!

Talk about BIG--what about that huge portrait head you just recently finished?

Lacey Lewis · 02-14-2006, 06:28 PM

How wonderful that I got to see this again on Valentine's Day! It literally makes my heart pound. I feel there is a lot of tension, as she is in the middle of playing and I am anticipating the sound. There is so much movement and so much lovely color, it is an exciting painting.

I could likely do the math myself, maybe I am just lazy... would you mind giving me in idea of how big the head is in this painting? Or the hands? I love those close-ups too... I never would have guessed some of the colors that I see up close from afar.

Cindy Procious · 03-03-2006, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexandra Tyng

She is a teenager, a serious harpist, and this was an attempt to show a musician in the act of playing, accurately with respect to hand position, feet/pedal position, posture, etc. I wanted to capture the feeling of grace and hard work that go into playing the harp. It's really a very difficult instrument to play, because hands and feet are working together. .

I can't believe I missed this when you posted it. This is absolutely stunning!

I remember you being worried about the hand position, and whether it was accurate. I don't think you wound up having to change anything, did you?

Thanks for sharing the WIP - it's actually very heartening to know that accomplished painters like you struggle through issues (such as the wallpaper) like the rest of us mortals do.