Been painting up a storm

This is my latest receiving blanket and I love the frogs and the matching light blue interior material. The crocheted edge design takes a little longer to do since I go around the edge three times. When doing a receiving blanket for little boys, I worry about the edging being too girly. This is one design that I think is okay for baby boys.

Here is another fairy! It was also a study of portions for me. SM asked me about backgrounds and why I haven't painted them. I need to buy some masking liquid. This allows me to paint a background quickly without getting the main figure wet. The background usually has to be painted quickly because you don't want it to dry out before you are finished. Otherwise, visually you can see different dry spots that look all wrong. So, one of theses days I need to find an art store around here and buy some masking liquid and try my hand at getting a background in before painting the main focal point.

This last painting was an attempt at painting a portrait. I struggle with faces. I can do so many other things and they look fine but I've always struggled with faces. First of all, they never look exactly like the model I've chosen...and sometimes they barely look alike. It's the same for me when sketching with pencil. I can't exactly see what makes someone look the way they do and so I can't imitate it. I do have to say that I enjoy how this face turned out...at least it's not ugly...but it's not exactly the same as the model. I wish the lips were fuller, showing more of a softness and happiness. I'll need to keep practicing to figure out what makes a face a face. Meanwhile, enjoy!