Tuesday, June 30, 2009

An Old Guy

Talk about getting through as the gate closes!

James Parker, that inimitable artist from Texas has his own challenge blog. For the month of June he decided to post 'Wrinklies' and what a wonderful subject! Nothing like the character in those facial lines of old folk, and because I'm heading in that direction, I like the idea of trumpeting those face maps.

But the deadline for sending it to him is TODAY. Luckily I'm quite a few hours ahead of the States, so I should just make it.

From tomorrow he will posting pics of doggies - one of my favourite subjects - check it out.

Here's my June 'Wrinkly' with a bit of a glare from the wet paint.



19 comments:

artbykarieann said...

suitably wrinkly and wonderful Liz

Arti said...

Ah thats beautiful , Liz! Wrinkled ,or should I say 'weathered' faces are such delightful subjects.

Rhonda Hartis Smith said...

Very very nice, your subject has lots of character.

Saundra Lane Galloway said...

Liz, This is so good! You handled the subject matter so well. I am especially in awe of anyone who can do figures so wonderfully!

FitFoodieMegha said...

This portrait is absolutely amazing..You did a gr8 job with oil paints! What a wonderful detailed subject this is to paint! :)

Art with Liz said...

Hi Karie-Ann, thanks for the visit and for the nice words. The way you do portraits (especially animal ones) is exceptional, so I really appreciate your comment.


What a lovely term Arti, 'weathered' sounds so much nicer than 'old'. These old faces make such nice subjects - they look like people and not models!

Art with Liz said...

Hello Rhonda, thank you for the visit. I had a look at your blog and your ballerinas are amazing - I have a long way to go!


Hi there Saundra - you are so kind and I wish I could do trees the way you do!

Art with Liz said...

He was great Megha - thanks so much for the lovely comment - I am more comfortable with oils but will persevere with watercolour.

James Parker said...

Liz...super portrait. The wrinkles are just right. I gave the old fellow a mug of vodka and posted him on WTTW, and linked you. Thank you so much for your participation with marvelous pieces like this.

Marian Fortunati said...

Lots of character in that wrinkly face!! I'll check out the others, but yours is GREAT!

One has to be careful painting older people.... Anyone older than me is really OLD...
I painted my dad and mom and my dad's first comment was... guess.... We look so old!!...
Uhhh wellll...... I think they were like 89 and 87 then.... so... uhhhh they WERE old.
When asked how she was my mom would always respond, "I'm HERE!"... Wish she still was. She passed at 91.
Dad's almost 91 now... still going great!!

Fábio Cembranelli said...

Nice portrait. You captured him perfectly giving him warmth and life!The light is also excellent!

Art with Liz said...

Thank you James for the nice words and the acceptance of a very wet canvas pic posting! It was a bit of a rush and I've since done a few adjustments so will maybe replace this photo. Love the dogs!!!


I think I'm in the same frame of mind as you, Marian - anyone older than me is OLD, but I'm not! Ha! Ageing is about the freedom to be yourself (and being graceful, of course!)

Art with Liz said...

Aaah Fabio, any comment coming from you is so humbly appreciated! Many thanks indeed.

Dean H. said...

Beautiful job, Liz. I think of wrinkles as the road map of a lifetime journey of events.

Art with Liz said...

Thank you Dean, and that map has both sad and happy lines!

Mineke Reinders said...

A lot of character, beautifully expressed. Old age is so often uncomfortable for us, because everyone wants to grow old, but nobody wants to BE old. In fact, I think that life gets richer as we move on - beyond 40 and 50 - and faces become road maps of character, as in your portrait. This man's portrait at age 20 would have been just another young man; now, it is a portrait of a life lived, molded by time.

L.Holm said...

He's wonderful, Liz! You got the wrinkles and expression just right! I like your color choices, too.

Art with Liz said...

Gosh Mineke, you put it so beautifully. Thank you.


Hi Liz, I think you also did this old man? And if I remember, that one was a whole lot better than mine!

Judybec said...

Very hansom portrait Liz!
You've painted him with lots of depth-- I get a sense of his personality in your work.