Big brother, little sister
acrylic on canvas
18 x 24 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009
(Painting this I loved the
expression on the little girl's
face, and all the small
details that are so characteristic
of what young boys like --
Super Mario T-shirts, camp
necklaces, big, clunky black
watches -- it made me miss
my sons as small boys.)
brother and sister. The painting had to be done for a
party this afternoon because it was the special gift.
I did most of it from photo reference, although
everything but the children has been changed.
The challenge in doing portraits from photos, as you
know, is to get a faithful likeness and produce
a painting that looks like you painted it. I'm not a
photo realist, so this is as real as I get. I felt like it
worked and was a nice combination of faithful
likeness and fresh colour and design.
The client was very pleased, and I hope the childrens'
grandmother, who was receiving it as a surprise gift
today, will be equally happy. I had to hurry home and miss
the party, because another client was arriving, and
was going to sit for me. It was a full day of painting,
and I've decided to take the night off. Got to go now to
watch Jon Stewart. Enjoy your evening.
Have a loving-the-people-you-work-with day.
