In Progress - Brewer Children 6

Color Palette

This is my color palette for the Brewer Children. I found out completely by accident, that if you mix Magenta and Cadmium Yellow Medium into Titanium White, you get a beautiful natural-looking flesh tone. A yellow/green browns it up a bit, and a light touch of Ivory Black and Burnt Umber really get the shadows going. To get any bluish tone of the skin, I added a some Payne's Grey to the mixture. I love how colors work. 

In Progress - Brewer Children 5

In Progress - Brewer Children 4

The background has been layered in for the most part. Their mom requested an impressionistic feel to the landscape.

In Progress - Brewer Children 3

In Progress - Brewer Children 2

In Progress - Brewer Children 1

Here's my next portrait - and the largest one that I've done thus far. The children are sitting on a park bench at Maymont in Richmond, VA. It's a beautiful park with Japanese gardens, a zoo, a walkway, and just some beautiful landscaping. This photo is of me beside it showing the size scale of the painting. In the sketch, I placed the children too far down the canvas. This is the reason I outline in charcoal, to easily cover up mistakes like this. 

The Spider & The Fly

As previously posted, I've created a poster that goes along with Mary Howitt's 'The Spider & The Fly.' I've used words from her poem to create not only a layout over the spider, but also allowed the words to become part of the rocks, slowly leading into the cavern. I had this idea of recreating Shelob's Lair from Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings,' but also trying to somehow create an image in the vein of Dante's Inferno. The spider is merciless, just as the evil that is hell is merciless. 'Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here,' are the words that are said to hover over the gates of hell. I don't know ... maybe I'm reading way too far into this. But I love a good poem that really goes deep, and is not something written so a wannabe author can get published for the sake of getting published. For those unfamiliar with the poem, I've reposted it below. Enjoy.

“Will you step into my parlor?” said the spider to the fly; ’Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy. The way into my parlor is up a winding stair, And I have many pretty things to show when you are there.” “O no, no,” said the little fly, “to ask me is in vain, For who goes up your winding stair can ne’er come down again.”

“I’m sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high; Will you rest upon my little bed?” said the spider to the fly. “There are pretty curtains drawn around, the sheets are fine and thin,
And if you like to rest awhile, I’ll snugly tuck you in.” “O no, no,” said the little fly, “for I’ve often heard it said, They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed.”

Said the cunning spider to the fly, “Dear friend, what shall I do, To prove the warm affection I’ve always felt for you? I have within my pantry good store of all that’s nice; I’m sure you’re very welcome; will you please to take a slice?” “O no, no,” said the little fly, “kind sir, that cannot be; I’ve heard what’s in your pantry, and I do not wish to see.”

“Sweet creature!” said the spider, “You’re witty and you’re wise! How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes! I have a little looking-glass upon my parlor shelf, If you’ll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself.” “I thank you, gentle sir,” she said, “for what you’re pleased to say, And bidding you good-morning now, I’ll call another day.”

The spider turned him round about, and went into his den, For well he knew the silly fly would soon be back again: So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly, And set his table ready to dine upon the fly.
Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing “Come hither, hither, pretty fly, with the pearl and silver wing: Your robes are green and purple; there’s a crest upon your head; Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead.”

Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little fly, Hearing his wily flattering words, came slowly flitting by. With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue; Thinking only of her crested head — poor foolish thing! At last, Up jumped the cunning spider, and fiercely held her fast. He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,
Within his little parlor; but she ne’er came out again!

And now, dear little children, who may this story read, To idle, silly, flattering words, I pray you ne’er give heed; Unto an evil counselor close heart, and ear, and eye, And take a lesson from this tale of the Spider and the Fly.

The Spider & The Fly

Here's an ink wash drawing I did for a project in InDesign. I'm going to incorporate some color in this drawing and use the words from Mary Howitt's 'The Spider & The Fly' to make a really interesting illustrated composition. I'm not an illustrator, but I've completed quite a few book covers and other "illustrated" style works of art. I think this will be interesting when I get finished.

My Business Card

Anybody trying to contact me through this business card, the information has changed. The phone number is no longer valid for personal reasons, and the email address has been disabled - again, for personal reasons. You can email me at my new email address johnpriceart@yahoo.com

Failed Graphite Portrait Commission

This is the kind of portrait that I will never include in a portfolio, but I want to post it here. Early on - maybe 5 years ago, a customer requested I draw a portrait of his aunt. After complaining over and over about the price, I finally gave in and lowballed the price. At the time, I was charging $300 a portrait, but I completely sold out, and charged him $50 for this. After I finished the portrait, I couldn't get in contact with him. Come to find out, he'd moved. I finally tracked him down and he said, "Oh, I don't want the portrait anymore. You can just mail the photograph of my aunt to my girlfriend's house."

Huge lesson learned. This is why I don't compromise on my prices, and why I always take a deposit. People tend to pay when they put down a nonrefundable deposit. I've also kept the horrendous watermark across her face, just in case he ever comes across my page, decides he wants it, and tries to print it out. The original posting of this portrait was posted on this blog in November of 2009. I was recently asked about this portrait, and thought I'd repost it and tell the story behind it.

Rev. Frank Gooch - Portrait Unveiling

Today was the unveiling of Rev. Frank Gooch's portrait. It was a real honor to be able to present this portrait to him. Not only is he a fine gentleman who has an great love for God, but he's also someone I consider to be a dear friend. I'm honored to know him, and it was a privilege to be able to paint such a commission. Here are some of the photos from the unveiling. Sorry for the poor quality. Professional photographers were there, and I will be posting some of the photos they shot here soon - hopefully within the week.

Great White Shark - Hour 8

This bad boy is complete.

Great White Shark - Hour 7