I've been busy creating portraits for Christmas presents - like I'm sure most artists do at this time of the year. I finally finished a portrait one for some friends who recently took a trip to Japan. They sent me this photo from their trip.
I did these two tonal studies to try to identifying the lights and darks in the photo - apart from all those beautiful fall colors.
This was my first attempt
I thought about getting a closer view of the family in this next tonal study
To decide between the two versions, I decided to do some watercolor thumbnails to factor in the colorful background.
Watercolor thumbnails
After taking an informal poll of my kids and husband, and based on these thumbnails, I decided to paint the portrait with the family further away and more of the Japanese scenery/background showing. Here's the final version.
I forgot to scan this before giving them the portrait framed (ignore the flash reflection)
Final version in the frame
And I also painted this portrait of my friend's dog, Tori, who passed away at a few days ago.
Tori
And, after many tonal studies, I completed this portrait of my girls for my mother-in-law.
Chloe & Jade
And, finally, a portrait of my brother's dog, Butters, who passed away at Thanksgiving.
Have you also been busy creating artwork for Christmas presents?