Another of Nan

[Allan Rahbek]

Alex,
I really wish that I could see this in person, your paint handling is so varied and right on, delicious.
This is Nan that you painted with some yellow flowers some time ago, right?.
You have done a portrait that only a friend could do, and I also like the outdoor feel in it. The Pthalo Blue is also a friend of yours, I see.

[Alexandra Tyng]

Enzie, if the "bring it on" attitude is German, that explains Nan's no-nonsense attitude to some degree. She doesn't allow herself to wallow in the problems of old age. Thank you, I'm glad you like the light--I had a lot of fun painting it, and even thinking about how I was going to paint it.

Julie--just wondering because I was always interested in psychology and even considered a career in it (briefly), and I know that the way I look at people has a lot to do with my interest in what makes them tick.

Allan, thanks for appreciating the paint handling! You'll never guess what inspired this: Wyeth's painting of Siri standing on a rock in front of a very dark bank of evergreens. I wanted to see how little value contrast and detail I could put into the rosebush (especially the shadowy areas) and still have it read as having depth and interest and form. I'm posting a detail:

[Carlos Ygoa]

Alex,

Allan beat me to it, but I will say it myself: the way you handle the paint! Lovely. And masterful. Reminds me of Velazquez, but outdoors and bathed in sunlight. A portrait of someone one is intimate with always has that feel about it, like the psychological portraits.

"Indian Summer" by Andrew Wyeth. Yes, I am familiar with it. In tempera, and large enough (1m high) to test one

[Alexandra Tyng]

Originally Posted by Carlos Ygoa

"Indian Summer" by Andrew Wyeth.

Ahh! Thanks for the title. I was too lazy to look it up.

Thanks so much. I'm feeling totally honored and a little embarrassed being compared even slightly to Velasquez, whom I consider to be one of the most brilliant artists of all time. You are so generous in your praise of this very modest effort. I did have fun with it, though, and tried some things I hadn't tried before.

[Tom Edgerton]

This is just fabulous.

Juicy paint (I'm envious); bold application; rich, clean color; GREAT light; really palpable feeling of sculptural mass and weight, terrific characterization. What more could one want?

Alex, I don't know if your experience corresponds to mine, but when I paint someone for a second or third time, the characterization is so much more insightful and subtle, as here. Great that you explored your subject again this way, to see what new things would be revealed. Obviously time well spent.

Best--TE

[Alexandra Tyng]

Thanks so much, Tom!

Originally Posted by Tom Edgerton

when I paint someone for a second or third time, the characterization is so much more insightful and subtle. . . .

Yes, I do feel that way. I've actually attempted to paint her several more times before the one I posted here with the yellow flowers in the vase. The first time, I felt I hardly scratched the surface. It looked like her, but was not her. Every time I tried, I was able to say more.

A friend (an artist) asked me to paint portraits of her children at three different ages. The same thing happened. (I couldn't believe she wanted me back, but it was a fascinating experience to be able to do this.)

[Thomasin Dewhurst]

Alexandra - this is just wonderful! Your pools of shadow and light that have the substance of flesh. My eyes feel so well-fed looking at it! And I so admire your confidence and unquestioning drive, and your honesty.

May I ask this mundane question: did you use a photo or have your friend sit? I presume the latter ...