Portraits 

Portraits from life or photo, your choice.

Portraiture has always been an influencing part of culture. The most notable people throughout history have had portraits done of themselves and their families.

When considering a unique gift for a loved one what better and more unique present could there be than a beautiful original oil painting? Portraiture is still a very active medium in Europe and Eastern United States. I hope that the specialty of it will catch on out west where I live.

Portrait painting is very special work and I take care to not just find a likeness, but to capture a personality...something about the person that everyone can remember and love. Please let me know if you are interested in having a portrait done!

You can view more of my portraits and other artwork at Gardnersart.com

The Model 

Working with a model

Through the years I have been extremely fortunate to have been able to work with models both in my studio and at Renaissance Fairs. My work as a plein air artist (please see my other lens) has greatly assisted in the ability to paint from life with a model. If you are at all intersted in having a portrait done, I highly recommend at least one or two live sittings whenever possible. Capturing true skin tones, personality, and simple subtleties of an individual is possible only with a live sitting.

I have a collection of paintings of costumed models that I have done live in my studio. Through this work, I've discovered the Romantic Portrait,a way of painting the subject not only as they are, but as they dream to be. Many of these paintings I have found to be extremely popular with collectors and are for sale.

The Romantic Figure 

Paintings from the Renaissance eras.

For three years I was the resident artist at the Washington State Fantasy and Renaissance Faire. I met some beautiful people and had the opportunity to paint some wonderful paintings. I have to admit, these have been pure joy to paint!

If you are interested in a portrait or one of my romantic portraits you can contact me at my website or by email Dianne

I recommend this book to all artists! 

THE YIN /YANG OF PAINTING

I spent an evening browsing through some books at a friend's house awhile ago and accidentally stumbled upon this one. I couldn't wait to get home and order it. If you have ever struggled with color harmony in your paintings you absolutely have to read this book. A contemporary master, Hongnian Zhang lays his cards on the table and shows you so many many helpful guides. I recommend it to all artists! And the price is right.

^#1

Vote Up

Vote Down

The Yin/Yang of Painting: A Contemporary Master Reveals the Secrets of Painting Found in Ancient Chinese Philosophy by Hongnian Zhang, Lois Woolley

Through the harmonious balancing of opposites, the more...1 point

Through the harmonious balancing of opposites, the ancient Chinese philosophy of yin yang is beautifully applied to the art of painting in an illuminating, results-oriented instructional for artists of all levels. According to this time-honored system, successful art is based on balanced energies and the control of contrasting elements within a work. This remarkably simple approach is presented in two seamless parts. Part One examines the traditional elements of painting-from value (light/dark)....1 point

^#2

Vote Up

Vote Down

Harley Brown's Eternal Truths for Every Artist by Harley Brown, Lewis Barrett Lehrman

Harley Brown offers artists his "truths" more...1 point

Harley Brown offers artists his "truths" for painting success--the stuff he hopes they teach in art school. A well-established artist, Brown has gained a large following with his frank, no-nonsense approach to teaching art. Twelve knock-out chapters include: <p>* What every artist should do first. Harley's own cheap and dirty way to start a painting<br /> * Composition--who needs it? See why most paintings are boring. And why a few will knock your socks off.<br /> * Working with color. Stay miles ahead of the...1 point

^#3

Vote Up

Vote Down

Confessions of a Starving Artist: Art and Life of Harley Brown by Harley Brown

A gorgeous showcase of his best western paintings, more...1 point

A gorgeous showcase of his best western paintings, The Art of Harley Brown brings together a lifetime of stunning work. Readers will find oil and pastel renditions of American Indians, cowboys and western scenes-all punctuated by the artist's winning personality. <p>Throughout the book Brown shares his best stories, anecdotes and experiences in what he calls, "My life as a starving artist." These hilarious recollections give readers an unprecedented look into the heart and mind of this top American...1 point

^#4

Vote Up

Vote Down

Sargent Portrait Drawings: 42 Works by John Singer Sargent (Dover Art Library) by John Singer Sargent

Collection of portraits, selected from public and more...0 points

Collection of portraits, selected from public and private holdings by art historian Trevor J. Fairbrother, reveal the technical skill and intuitive eye for which American portrait painter John Singer Sargent is renowned. Drawings in pencil, pastels and charcoal %u2014 a lesser-known aspect of Sargent's oeuvre %u2014 are shown. List of Plates. Introduction. Captions.<br />0 points

^#5

Vote Up

Vote Down

Painting Beautiful Skin Tones With Color & Light in Oil, Pastel and Watercolor by Chris Saper

Artists constantly tell us that they need guidance more...0 points

Artists constantly tell us that they need guidance for rendering skin tones in their portraiture. This book helps them overcome this elusive challenge by providing a clear set of easy-to-follow principles for painting a variety of skin tones in three major mediums--oil, pastel and watercolor. The first chapter is rooted in the basics, showing artists how to recognize and use the five major elements of painting: drawing, value, color, composition and edges. From there, artists learn how to work w...0 points

Add to this list

Grab this list

Get the RSS feed: Keep an eye on this Plexo list. See who wins. And who's left in the dirt.

Get the widget: Add this Plexo list as a widget on your blog, site, forum, whatever. Be an influential. Show off your great find.

Get this on my lens: Attack of the clones! Grab this Plexo module for your own lens. Get YOUR readers to vote for their favorites.

• Add to Bloglines
• Add to My Yahoo
• Add to Google
• Add to Technorati
• Add to NewsGator
• Add to My MSN
• Grab the XML

Please pick your widget size and display. Then click "Make the Widget" to get the code that's just right for you.

Pick your widget size:

Small size: Best for blog sidebars, and areas 250 pixels or less
Standard size: Best for blog posts, and areas greater than 250 pixels wide

How many list items to show? 5 10 15 All

Make the Widget!

Voila: Just copy and paste this code into your own site. Have fun!

Oopsey! Please login to Squidoo in order to add this module to your lens.

Add more links    Submit

Type or paste links below (one per line):
Try adding the Amazon link here, or just the ASIN number. Help me find links

Done Adding

Cancel

Some of my work on Cafe Press 

Feel free to browse through my store

Lopez Island Sheep

Price: 28.99

Winter Warming, a plein air piece painted in Washington dons this little box with a unique and special piece of fine art.

Price: 24.99

Whidbey Island

Price: 14.99

A plein air painting done at Long Lake, Port Orchard

Price: 19.99

New iTunes 

Music is an inspiration to the artist

Lament of McCrimmon / Song of the Banshee

Price: $0.00

Celtic Twilight, Vol. 4: Celtic Planet

Spirit of the Living God (Celtic Worship)

Price: $0.99

The Ultimate Collection - Celtic

Evening Prayer (Safe 'Til Morning) [Celtic Lullabies]

Price: $0.99

The Ultimate Collection - Celtic

Lamb of God (From Mass of the Celtic Saints)

Price: $0.99

The Clouds' Veil: The Song of the Celtic Soul

Stones and Sea (Celtic Worship)

Price: $0.99

The Ultimate Collection - Celtic

New Igo GREEN Tip of the Day 

Reader Feedback 

Welcome to my guestbook!

Please leave a comment.