Joelene
Oil on canvas, 36" x 24"
The main feature of this composition is the long curve of the iguana's tail and torso. The curve is subtly echoed in the background shadows and is balanced by the strong vertical of the subject and the horizontal of her forearm. Cool blues and greens in the background, as well as in the iguana and garments, accentuate the color of Joelene's hair; dark shadows contrast her fair complexion. The reptile's stripes are a stepladder for the eye, leading to the focal point of the portrait. Gazing at Joelene's attractive features and winsome smile is an experience shared by the lizard and the portrait viewer—but only the lizard is embraced. [ Detail ] [ Zoom ]

Judy and Jennifer
Oil on canvas, 20" x 16"
The softened forms, muted colors, and high key of this double portrait suggest gaiety and femininity. Background colors were carefully selected to unify the compostion and to harmonize with Jennifer's dress and with the different complexions of mother and daughter.

Lady in Blue
Oil on canvas, 36" x 24"
This portrait has as its basic, abstract composition a triangle and a rectangle. The face, flower pot and left hand form the three points of the triangle. The rectangle of the screen panel encloses the subject's head like a secondary picture frame. For the color composition, warm reds and browns balance the dominant cool of the turquoise garments. The tulips are painted slightly out of focus so as not to compete with the face. [ Detail ]

Self Portrait
Oil on canvas, 20" x 16"
Different techniques were used for these two paintings. The version on the left was painted with the technique shown in the Portrait Demonstration. The version on the right [ Zoom ] was painted with Titian's technique of underpainting flesh tones in grisaille (grey) over a canvas toned with Venetian red.

Self Portrait, 2006
Oil on canvas, 20" x 16"
This portrait was painted with only three earth colors, plus black and white. Rembrandt is well known for using a very restricted pallete and this technique, though challenging, affords excellent color harmony. The three colors I chose were yellow ochre, Venetian red, and burnt umber.