100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Liz C., 59/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 59

This is Liz C. I know I've been insisting on strong light coming from the side on your photos, but this photo was a problem anyhow. The sunlight on her nose was so light, that when I painted it white, which is how it looks in the photo, it looked weird, so I toned it down a bit. There are some highlights on her face and eyes that suggest a strong light shining on her face. That also created less than ideal shadows.
Some of you sharp-eyed viewers might notice I changed her clothing from white to black. I did that because the image needed to be grounded in this close cropped view. She's in an attractive pose, but I didn't have room for all of it in the confines of 6x6.
For purchase information, please see my website, or email me carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net.

100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Rachel, 58/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 58
This is Rachel with the lovely brown eyes and the pretty smile. I painted her on a panel with a black underpainting. I wanted her face to be emerging from the darkness into the light. I think it looks like that.
I learn something on every painting. I used to "suggest" the teeth and paint them loosely. Now I find myself being much more precise on the teeth. If you look VERY CAREFULLY at the photo, you will see that all the teeth are in shadow except the two incisors on the sunny side where the bottom of each tooth is in sunlight. This is easily overlooked in painting, but it is important to show how the sun lights up the all the features of the face.
For purchase information, please see my website.

About the patients: Neither Mark or Morris has had any appetite to speak of, until suddenly on Friday evening they both were hungry. I think that's a good sign. Also, I kicked Morris in the butt (figuratively speaking) and made him get dressed and take a walk, which he did twice. The human body is made to move. Laying on the bed or sofa will turn you into a vegetable and will not speed the healing process - you may quote me.

100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Samantha, 57/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 57

This is Samantha. She is the sister of yesterday's Randi. Another one in braces, but I'm a pro at braces now. One area of this painting I really liked was the left cheek where the orange, peach, pink and red tones really look great.
For purchase information, please see my website, or email me carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net.

Great news about the patients - they both went home from the hospital Thursday afternoon. Morris' lab work continues to show improvement in kidney function. Next, we have to attend transplant meetings twice a week for 3 months. You would not believe the load of meds he has to take to prevent rejection. At least the surgery is behind him.

100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Randi, 56/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 56

This is Randi. Just when I thought I had encountered every possible situation in a portrait, along comes Randi with braces. I've never painted anyone with braces before, so this was a first. In addition to the braces, she is wearing these almost invisible glasses. You can barely see the glass, but you see the shadow it casts on her cheek.
For purchase information, please see my website, or email me at carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net.

Thanks again for all your good wishes about the patients. Morris was finally successful in the bathroom - if you've ever had surgery, you KNOW what I mean. He would die if he knew I discussed this on my blog - LOL. Both the boys are walking around - not a brisk walk by any means, but walking none the less.

100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Judy, 55/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 55

This is Judy, who sent me a very nicely lit reference photo taken indoors with strong side lighting on her face. I was able to vary the colors on her face from a very pale yellow to a deep violet. For purchase information on this portrait, please see my website, or email carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net.

Update on Morris and Mark: both patients are doing better today than yesterday and we expect their improvement will continue with each passing day. For those of you who know about kidney function tests, Morris' creatinine level went from 6.4 before surgery, to 5.6 in recovery room, to 4.1 in just 24 hours which proves his new kidney is working. I am utterly amazed at this rapid improvement in blood levels of creatinine.
Again, thank you all for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.

I was recently interviewed by Chassily Wakefield for 1st TUNING POINT, a promotional site for authors and writers. You can read the interview by clicking on this link. I was asked for my views on art marketing, my background, my philosophy of painting, influences on my art career, and opinions on a variety of topics.

100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Ishrath II, 54/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 54

First let me thank all of you for your prayers and well wishes for my husband Morris' transplant surgery. As I write this, Morris and his son Mark are both doing pretty well, but they both are making good use of their pain buttons The kidney is already starting to improve Morris' blood chemistry.

Now, about the painting. This photo was one of three fabulous photos sent to me and taken by Ishrath during her travels in India. The subject is an adorable lady who runs a pottery studio which is why her glasses are all splattered with clay. I thought her smile was captivating.
In this painting I started out with a black background and just painted in the highlights and mid tones. Any black you see is the background showing through. It's a fun way to paint.

For purchase information, please see my website, or email carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net.

100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Lori, 53/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 53

This is Lori McNamara. She is an artist living in Florida who does a lot of plein air landscapes that usually reflect her tropical setting. I told Lori I was going to paint her in blue and purple, and she was fine with that because purple is her favorite color. Somehow the blue and purple morphed into a veritable kaleidoscope of colors. Visit Lori's blog at lorisart.blogspot.com.
For purchase information for this portrait, see my website or email me at carolnelsonfineart@comcaset.net.

AND THE WINNER IS: ELLIE (48/100)!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Most of you were taken with her adorable face (with the fantastic lighting), her concerned expression, and the lovely mop of red curls. Thank you all for taking time to vote and comment.

100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Stape, 52/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 52

This is Stapleton Kearns, professional landscape painter living in New England. I first became aware of Stape's writing through his postings in Fine Art Views, a free art newsletter published by Clint Watson.
Stape's blog is a learning experience with wonderful examples of composition fundamentals and a wealth of artful tips. You should definitely bookmark his blog.
I had such fun painting this portrait of Stape taken by one of his students at one of his snow camp workshops. There's so many fun things in the photo - the two hats, the glasses, the condensation on his mustache, and fabulous lighting.
For purchase information, please see my website or email me at carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net.


Don't forget, VOTING on portraits 41-50 ends tonight. Pick your favorite and email me your choice. THANKS!

100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Kay, 51/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 51

This lovely lady is Kay. I probably wouldn't have picked her photo to paint because it is a flash photo looking directly into the camera. By now, you know I hate that kind of photo for a painting. Kay is a collector who has purchased more than one of my paintings, so that gives her special status. I emphasised the brushwork in this piece to give it added interest.
For purchase information, please see my website, or email me at carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net

DON'T FOR GET TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE OF PORTRAITS 41-50. Voting ends Sunday night and right now two are tied for the lead.

100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS -Stephen, 50/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 50

This little guy is Stephen. I was attracted to the great light on his face under that big hat. This photo is a good ear study too. I used to just put some squiggles in for the ear, but now I see the actual anatomy of the ear. Everybody has pretty much the same basic pattern to their ear and now I paint them accurately.
For purchase information, please see my website, or email me at carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net.

I'm at the half way point!! This project has turned out to be more work than I anticipated, but it is very rewarding. Many of you tell me how you start your day looking at my blog to see the new face of the day. I start my day by reading your wonderful comments and observations. Your encouragement keeps me going!!!

And, once again, it's time to VOTE for your favorite of portraits 41-50 (Zetana - Stephen). Half of the choices in this group are 12 years old or less. Please email me your vote by Sunday night.

100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Dori, 49/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 49

Another great reference photo with perfect lighting - thank you Dori! Here I go with the purple - orange combo again. I just really like those colors together. I struggled with curly hair in the beginning of this project, but now I like painting it.
For purchase information, please see my website, or email me at carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net.

I'd like to thank all of you for your kind comments and wishes about Morris' upcoming surgery. Kidney disease for him has been a slow, insidious process over the past three years. He has not had any pain to speak of - the main indication has been decreased renal function blood tests. His nephrologist said that over half her patient population has resulted from heavy use of NSAIDs - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Alieve, Advil, aspirin, etc.
Morris took lots of Alieve for years because of gout. These are all over-the-counter drugs and we tend to think of them as safe.

100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Ellie, 48/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 48

I love this photo of Ellie - her Mom said she was watching a road race that a friend was in. The way the sun lights up her eye on the sunny side is very unique, and the curly red hair just tops it off. This portrait pleases me greatly because I was able to incorporate so many cool colors in it.
For purchase information, please see my website, or email me at carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net.



Creative Blogging Award
Many of you have honored me with the Creative Blogging Award that seems to be making the blogosphere rounds right now. I am thrilled that you would think of my blog and want to share this award with me. As I have responded individually to several of you, I am so swamped with work at this time - the daily portraits, a large abstract commission - that I simply do not have the time to fully participate in keeping the award going.
I am trying to do 2 portraits per day because there are days coming up soon where I know I will not be able to paint. My husband, Morris, is going to have a kidney transplant next Monday - his son Mark is donating a kidney. Much of my time next week will be spent at the hospital.
Thanks for your understanding and support.

100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Sharon, 47/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 47

I'm sure you'll enjoy visiting this artist's blog - sharonlynnwilliams.blogspot.com, where she often paints landscapes found around her home in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. This was another portrait where I attempted to paint someone yellow. I think the yellows and oranges fit in very well with her auburn hair and it turned out much better than my last attempt at yellow.
For purchase information, please see my website, or email carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net.
This painting is SOLD.

100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Karin, 46/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 46

You might say this whole project of painting 100 portraits in 100 days started because of this lady. This is Karin Jurick, an incredible artist whose work I accidentally discovered on the internet a couple years ago. The first time I came across her website, I was transfixed for about two hours. She can paint anything, but her figurative work especially blows me away. If you haven't visited her site, grab a cup of coffee, get comfortable, and be prepared to feast your eyes.

One of her many projects is her blog, Different Strokes from Different Folks, for which she posts a photo and invites any artist to paint it. Then she posts the paintings on this blog. The last project of the DSFDF blog was for artist participants to paint each other - thus started the portrait binge I've been on.

For purchase information, please see my website, or email me at carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net

100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Connor, 45/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 45

This is Connor as he was taking a break from jumping on the trampoline. If you look carefully at this photo, you will see all the colors I used on Connor's portrait. The warm orange tones on the sunny side, and the turquoise, blue, mauve and purple in the shady side.
The hands were an extra challenge in this portrait. I wanted to suggest them, without going into extreme detail. I especially like the shadow on his face from the hand on the sunny side.
For purchase information, please see my website, or email me at carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net.

If you are not the person who sent me this photo, please don't purchase the painting without emailing me first.

NOTE: There was a problem with Blogger publishing this painting and I didn't realize it until I logged on this morning. Happy Valentines Day to all.

100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Alona, 44/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 44

I don't know this lady's first name. I'm not sure about her eye color either. I think it's hazel, but sometimes you can't tell very well from a photo.
For purchase information, please see my website, or email carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net.

100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Michelle, 43/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 43

This is Michelle. There is such a sun drenched look to her photo. She could have just stepped off a California beach. I don't know where she lives, but she would fit right in, in sunny southern CA.

I have figured out the easiest way to paint hair with shadows on the skin. First paint the skin, then paint the shadows, lastly, paint the hair. It's all layered one on top of the other.

For purchase information, please see my website, or email carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net.

If you are NOT Michelle, and you wish to purchase this painting, please email me. It has happened twice now where someone has purchased a painting from the website, before the person whose photo it is, has logged on to their computer the day of the posting. I will give preference to the person whose portrait it is before selling it to anyone else. I think that's only fair because we all don't live in the same time zone.

The winner is: AUNTIE TRUDE!!! Thank you all for your votes. There was a 3 way tie for second.
Really close voting this time. Auntie Trude will be happy to hear she's still got "IT" at 93!

100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Benjamin, 42/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 42

This is Benjamin. What made me pick this photo to paint was his adorable face with the incredible light on it. If you look carefully at the photo, you will notice an orange line that separates the sun lighted skin from the shadowed skin. It looks like the photo was taken in the late afternoon when the sun that is very golden in tone.
The reflected light on the other side of his face is an area that allows me to get a little wild with the color. In this case, I used a cool light blue in contrast to the warm sunlit colors on the other side of his face.
For purchase information, please see my website, or email me at carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net.
This painting is SOLD.


Voting for the best of 31-40 is very tight. Currently three portraits are tied for the lead. Be sure to vote before 10 pm tonight.

100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Zetana, 41/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 41

This beauty is my 12 year old grand daughter, Zetana. I remember when she was born, I was dubious about the name they picked. It seemed like a mouthful for a sweet baby girl. Now, I WISH I had a distinctive name like Zetana. I could just sign my paintings with a Z and everyone would know who it was!
If she grows up to be even remotely famous, she will only need to go by her first name. This painting is sold.

Don't forget to VOTE! Review portraits 31-40, and send me an email with your favorite to carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net People seem to be having trouble picking the winner out of this group. The voting will end tomorow (Thursday) at 10 pm MST.

100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Brittnee, 40/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 40

Getting all decked out and going to the Prom is one of the highlights of a girl's high school days. For many girls it's the first time to have their hair professionally styled, and first time to wear an elegant formal dress. That was the occasion for this photo of the lovely, fresh-faced Brittnee. For purchase information, please see my website, or email me at carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net.

This is portrait #40 and you know what that means: time to VOTE again. Please review portraits 31 - 40 (Inga - Brittnee) and let me know your favorite. I think this is a particularly diverse group and should be fun to see who gets the most votes.

100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Auntie Trude, 39/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 39

This is by far the hardest portrait I've done so far. I spent the better part of Super Bowl Sunday working on it. I photographed it, uploaded it, and then saw something that needed to be corrected, fixed the problem, and repeated the procedure FOUR times. This may not even be the final version.

The subject is my beloved Auntie Trude. She is 92 years old and sharp as a tack. She lives in her own home and walks every day, except when there's a blizzard or icy conditions up in Duluth, MN. She's active in her church, is always cooking and baking, and has tons of friends. The original photo, while having excellent lighting, was a little bland in color, so I changed the color of her shirt to something a little jazzier to match her personality.

100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Sean, 38/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 38

Every photo comes with new and unique challenges. This is my first painting of someone with freckles and first (and probably only) one with a gecko. This is another example of a good reference photo having both sun and shadows on the face.
For purchase information on this painting, please see my website, or email me at carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net.

FYI: I know you are all viewing these paintings on your computer monitor at home or at work (tsk-tsk). Someone who had purchased two paintings emailed me that the paintings, when he received them, did not look anything like what he saw on his monitor. They were much more vibrant and colorful and he LOVED them.

This is a typical response when people see their portraits in person. If your monitor is an older model, or you don't have it set up for maximum color, you may be missing out on some of the vibrant colors I put into most of these portraits.

I just got a new 22 inch flatscreen monitor and the images on it match the colors in the paintings exactly. I suggest everyone go out and buy a new monitor so you can see the next 62 portraits as they were meant to be seen - LOL - just kidding.

100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Tejaswini, 37/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 37

This lovely lady's name is Tejaswini. I was so happy to paint this person because this is exactly what I mean when I ask for a photo with shadows on the face. It's beautiful and so is she. I hope the shadows of her hair on her cheek read correctly.

For purchase information, please see my website, or email me at carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net.

100 OIL PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Laurie, 36/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 36

Laurie looks like a fun person. I think she must have just returned from a spa treatment because her skin is so luminous and glowing. Lovely. For purchase information, please see my website, or email me at carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net.

NEW POLICY: Yesterday someone went on my website and clicked the Paypal Buy Now button on a portrait and made the purchase. When I was notified by Paypal that a purchase occurred, I realized that the buyer was not the person who submitted the photo for the portrait.
The person who submitted the photo had already indicated to me that she wanted to purchase the painting, but had not actually completed the transaction.

To prevent this problem from recurring, I ask that any of you who wish to purchase a portrait for which you did not submit the photo to please EMAIL me before you make the purchase. I check my email several times a day.

I always send an email at least 24 hours in advance before I post a new portrait. That gives the person a heads up that they should check the blog and let me know that they intend to purchase their portrait.

Thanks for your attention to this matter. : - )

100 PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS - Princess Jaidyn, 35/100, © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Day 35

Is this too precious for words? This is my little grand daughter, Jaidyn. I gave her a princess chest for Christmas containing 3 different princess dresses and accessories. Here she is in the blue dress and tiara. Jaidyn is two and a half - what I think is SUCH a fun age.

I took the photo and found out a good way to photograph a 2 year old. I told her I was photographing her tiara, not her, then kept showing her the images. I just had to keep trying to get that perfect image of the tiara. She was amazingly patient of having that camera a foot from her face. I have all kinds of photos with her smiling and laughing, but this was her Mom's favorite. I think Jaidyn was beginning to wonder, though, how long it was going to take me to capture that darn tiara. LOL