My First Portrait Subject in Watercolor

/ Jodi
cgm-watercolor-8x10-artistico-fabriano-300lb

My Sweet C – 8 x 10 watercolor – 300 lb Artistico Fabriano

I am typically a more “impressionist” style amateur watercolor artist.  (At least that is what I consider myself.)  I don’t necessarily try to exactly replicate something, but more try to interpret my impression of how it makes me feel.

As many of you know, I am a new grandma for the first time, and ECSTATIC doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel about that!

So you are probably not surprised that the first subject I chose to attempt a watercolor portrait of is my sweet little granddaughter.

I didn’t do her beauty justice, but the process of looking at her picture and painting her brought me a lot of joy.  It was a fun experiment.  I was hoping it would be nice enough to give to my son and daughter-in-law for a Christmas gift framed, but I am not happy enough with how it turned out, so that idea didn’t work out.

I decided to post it anyway, though, as my first watercolor portrait.  Hopefully I will look back some day and compare it to something much better.

My sweet granddaughter, on the other hand, is absolutely perfect!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

87 thoughts on “My First Portrait Subject in Watercolor”

  5. OH Jodi, I think they would love to have it. They would see it as a gift of such precious love! The way you did her little hands is awesome. I love that you showed it to us and I believe you need to give it to them!

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  11. Well I hit something and pow it posted, lol, trying again.
    Beautiful is what she is and you managed to capture it with all your Grandma love. What a treasure you created and they will love it.

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    • LOL! I was nervous, and mad that I didn’t capture her beauty, but it was so fun to do, and I so enjoyed doing it and thinking of her. I think there will be more in years to come. I hope someday we will paint together! 🙂 ❤

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    • Oh Thank you Kathryn! You’ve seen the photo though. It’s just not quite right. But I will keep trying and get there some day. It truly was a lot of fun to do. Thought of her with every brush stroke! 🙂 ❤

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  27. Jodi this is so sweet and you did such a fantastic job. I can’t believe this only your first portrait. You did so well on your granddaughters face, her expression in slumber. The details on her hair, her fingers, and the flowers on her little sleeper. Amazing really. What a sweetheart your granddaughter is. Cheers!

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  28. Oh my how did I miss this post? So sorry! I think that your portrait is beautiful! You captured her beauty and sweetness and that to me is frame worthy. When comparing a painting to a photo you always run the risk of downgrading the work that you have done. As you say, you like to capture the feeling and essence rather than being precise (my interpretation) but you see….you did that exactly in this portrait! So beautiful…..and I love her lashes, I saw that right away. Continue on but don’t get too caught up into making it just like the photo because you lose that emotional punch of impressionism. I hope that you will try often. 🙂

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    • Oh Margaret – how wonderful to hear from you and such sage advice! You are so so very sweet! Thank you! I have a feeling I will be painting our little princess again at some point – and hopefully WITH her too some day! ❤

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  29. Personally, I think it is very good! She looks so precious and peaceful in her sleep, and you captured that perfectly. I’m sure they would like it, but I understand your wanting to wait and give them a portrait that you are completely happy with. Maybe just keep this one for yourself to enjoy?

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