Thursday, December 17, 2009

End of the Year Challenge - Different Strokes From Different Folks

End of the Year Challenge - Different Strokes From Different Folks   9 3/4 x 11   Oil on panel



















This challenge is hosted by Karin Jurick on her Different Strokes From DIfferent Folks blog.  Artists that chose to participate emailed a photo of themselves to Karin. When Karin had all of the photos, she randomly emailed a photo to an artist. So, most of us don't know much if anything about the subject of the portraits we would paint.

I really did enjoy making the painting of this lady - I don't know her name or anything about her yet.  To understand what I'm saying, go to the Different Strokes From Different Folks blog and see what other artitsts have done. You can also go to You Tube to see the photos and the painting.

I'm having a problem with this BLOG posting software interface so I'm not sure how this will look!  It appears one way in "compose" then another way after it's "published".  :-| That being said, my next whine is that I had to make HUNDREDS (no kidding) of photographs before 1) the color was close, 2) the glare from the shiny surface was gone and 3) the photo was in FOCUS!

19 comments:

  1. Great soft feel you gave your portrait for DSFDF. NIce work.

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  2. You've painted the light beautifully - this positively glows.

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  3. Thank you Dominique! As I said in the blog, the painting was a LOT of fun. But the photos! I was thinking that I'd never get a good photo for Karin.

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  4. Hi Claire. Thank you for your nice comment. This challenge was a real joy.

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  5. The portrait looks soft and the lighting great.
    I can relate to you about taking picture of our painting. For my last KJurick Airport Travelers challenge painting, I must have taken hundreds too, because there was that shine picked up by the camera. It was so time consuming and frustrating. Luckily, in the end, I finally found at least one that was closest to the real thing. I still prefer the real thing.

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  6. This is terrific Ken! And like me, you just can't give up those darks - hence the photo horrors!

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  7. Hi Millie and Liz - THANK YOU very much for your comments! The painting photo represents much work and some unkind thoughts about digital cameras.

    I finally learned that I could get a reasonably good photo if I use the camera "manual" mode then vary the ISO, the Exposure Compensation and the White Balance (whatever those are). This means I would have 20 or 30 photos.

    Talk to you later!
    Ken B.

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  8. Hi Ken!
    This is a beautiful portrait! Congratulations!
    I love the lights, the hair, the skin tones... it's great. Thanks for the photo lessons :)
    Best regards,
    Carolina

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  9. I know it's easier for me because I live in south florida... :) but I have found that photographing my art using natural (not direct) sunlight nets me the best results and less time in photo shop. And I only have to take about 6. LOL. Having said that, WELL DONE!! love the softness and light.

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  10. Carolina, you are TOO kind with your praise! Thank you very much.

    Talk to you later
    Ken B.

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  11. Hi Tracie. Thank you for looking at my DSFDF painting! I can USUALLY make good photos in our east-facing covered patio when the sun is on the west side of the house (afternoon). BUT for some reason this portrait was more shiny than most of my stuff - go figger. Maybe if I had put some SPF 90 on it? :-) Thanks, though for the info and the kind words about my DSFDF submission. I stll don't know who the lady is! :-(

    Warmest wishes for the holidays,
    Ken B.

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  12. Ken, I recognized this lady right away...good job!
    Thanks for the link too!

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  13. Thanks for looking at my blog, Dana.

    I totally agree with what you say in your blog DSFDF post when you say "some paintings paint themselves". This was a painting that took control and I for the ride! I'm not totally satisfied with how the photo represents the painting, but . . .

    Your slide show is really cool! A big WOW to ya!

    Happy holidays,
    Ken B.

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  14. I like the dramatic lighting and wonderful highlights in her hair. Nicely done.

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  15. Thanks, Vern. I enjoyed this DSFDF challenge much more than some of the others. Having to paint a beautiful lady made the challenge more stressful in a way, but I like how the painting turned out.

    Happy holidays,
    Ken B.

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  16. Ken, do you know by now the name of the lady on your painting ;o)?
    I just wanted to leave my best wishes for this Christmas and New Year, for you and Melissa and all your loved ones. I wish you have a great time!
    Best regards,
    Carolina

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  17. excelentes todos tus dibujos y pinturas amigo...

    FELICIDADES

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  18. Hi Carolina. The lady's name is Kelley MacDonald (http://kelleymacdonalddailypaint.blogspot.com/). We're going to exchange our portraits after the holidays.

    Thank you very much for you holiday wishes they mean very much to us. I hope that your celebration went well and that the holidays find you & your family safe, happy, warm and healthy.

    Warmest best wishes,
    Ken B.

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  19. Paco -
    Thank you for looking at my blog. Your photographs inspire me to make a painting. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

    (Gracias por mirar mi blog. Sus fotografías me inspiran a hacer una pintura. Feliz Navidad y Feliz Año Nuevo.)

    Warm regards,
    Ken B.

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