Life Imitates Art

Finally finished one of those paintings that never quite say "I'm done."  
Today...I'm saying done! 

This one's different for me....from a photo I took when visiting Ireland @5 years ago....the Statue is of Patrick Kavanaugh, a much loved bohemian Irish Poet in Dublin and a commuter...both apparently oblivious to my picture taking.  

Well years later this is my pastel tipping my hat to them both. "Life Imitates Art", pastel, 11x15".

To see more of my work visit my website www.kimwerfel.com.

Thanks for viewing!

Kim

Surprise - I won People's Choice for Best Portrait at latest PSNC Exhibition

The Pastel Society of North Carolina's latest member show at the Halle Cultural Arts Center in Apex, NC is exhibiting until November 15 - try to catch it.  About 44 pieces exhibiting a variety of subject matter, several winning People's Choice Awards.

Lucky me won the People's Choice Award for Best Portrait with "Autumn Goddess"!

My friend caught me with her cell phone...it came out despite the flash :)

I also have two other pastels in the show featuring my deer paintings.

Try to make the exhibit - you're sure to enjoy it!

Happy Painting!

Kim Werfel

http://www.kimwerfel.com

Continuing Pastel Class begins October 10th

Time to sign up for the Continuing Pastel Class for all you intermediate pastelists that  would like some input and inspiration on your work this Fall.  See the Catalog description below for the ArtsCenter of Carrboro Class.

Continuing Pastel Painting Fall 2013 - Thursdays Oct. 10-Nov. 14th (skipping Nov. 7th) (5 weeks) $125 public, $113 friends www.artscenterlive.org (919) 929-2787

1036. Want to keep growing and learning with your pastel painting? Learn how to implement design principles in your work. Learn what to look for when you take photographs to work from for reference material. Create more confidently after planning preliminary value and color studies for stronger, more successful compositions. Understand the different types of composition and color schemes to express your intentions successfully. Learn how all these tools come together for great paintings! Students will work both in class from their own photos and at home, bringing work in for Studio time and critiques.

*Basic understanding of pastel or Intro to Pastel Painting is required (not a beginner class)

*Materials List available at The ArtsCenter front desk prior to 1st class

Hope to see some old friends and new faces!

Kim Werfel

http://www.kimwerfel.com

"Toby", a birthday surprise Horse commission

Today I'm going to share the process of painting my latest horse commission.  This is "Toby", commissioned by the owner's sister-in-law for a 40th Birthday present. (Shhh, it's a surprise!)

Toby was much loved, but alas, had to be sold and the owner misses him terribly.  The emotional energy behind these commissions really fuels me.  I love being in on these wonderful acts of compassion and generosity.

Not being able to meet him, I had to work from photos.  After looking at several, I chose this one, as his ears were up, his expression alert, and I loved the red halter with the complementary greens in the background.  The horizontal and vertical lines in the background help the composition as well.  My problems were to remove her hand pulling on his halter, and the rest of her body.  His eye wasn't well defined either, but I zoomed in for more info.

This is the original photo I had to work from.

I often put the photo in photoshop elements and break up the values to see them clearer.

 I start out with a sketch in charcoal, placing his head as I want it.  The paper is 11"x14" Richeson Premium Pastel Surface in Terra Cotta 24 taped to a foam core board.  The eye is the focal point and is very important to get right. (the window to the soul!)

The red halter was too exciting to wait for...so in it goes....loosely defined.  I gently lay in the first layer of darks with very dark blues and browns.

The background is more important than you'd think.  It helps with decisions on the subject.  I decide on the shapes of the clouds - taking clues from the photo.  Soft blues and mauves were used....later very light gray greens too.

More work on Toby....dark purples were added for glow and interest...blue was reflecting on his mane and ears and the front of his head..the buckle on his halter really glows too.

Hours later, this is my finished artwork for Toby.  Blue highlights reflecting the sky were in his eyes.  I let the warm browns glow in his face and nose.   Keeping the background soft and unfocused brings even more attention to his face.  Working with pastel pencils for details in his halter...figuring out what it would look like without her hand was tricky.  Finally, a signature and photography so you can see!

Hope you liked my journey with Toby.

Contact me at  k-e@mindspring.com if you have a loved pet, dog, cat, horse or any other wonderful animal you'd like to honor with a portrait.  Christmas is coming!

Thank you.

Kim

http://www.kimwerfel.com

Airedale Puppies

My newest commission, "Airedale Puppies" is from a wonderful professional Airedale Breeder in Pittsboro, NC...."Singing Hills Kennel" .  Meet Atticus and Allie, only 12 weeks old here.....

"Airedale Puppies", pastel, 16x20"©Kim Werfel - Sold

This piece is done on warm-toned light Sienna Jack Richeson 140lb paper on Gator Foam, a different surface for me.  Really like it.

I started with a photo that I printed and enlarged to 16 x 20" for reference.  I also printed it in black and white to see the values.

Here's my preliminary sketch:

Then I focused on Allie, the female pup on your right, laying in the darks...but I couldn't resist putting in some lights too.

Close-up of the face so far:

Laying in more color in the background and more darks in Atticus, the pup on the left.

More sky color....more colors in the fur, the bricks, the collars....

Lots and lots of refinement and here's Atticus and Allie's portrait.

Thank you for reading my blog.

Please Share.

Kim Werfel

http://www.kimwerfel.com

Introduction to Pastel Class Starts in 2 1/2 Weeks

The ArtsCenter of Carrboro has just posted their Fall 2013 Catalog on-line.  Check it out here: 

 http://www.artscenterlive.org/education/adults/artschool

My "Intro to Pastel" Class runs from September 5th - October 3rd (5 weeks) from 10 - 12:30pm.  $125 public and $113 for Friends of the ArtsCenter (great deal)

You can register on-line (convenient!) or call Phaedra Kelly at (919) 929-2787 x207 or just stop by the box office at the Arts Center.

(one of my best students at work!)

Here's the class description:

2035. INTRODUCTION TO PASTEL PAINTING 

Explore the world of soft pastels! Learn how pastels combine your drawing and painting skills to create successful, expressive paintings without the need of brushes or water. Enjoy learning pastel painting techniques and the diversity of papers and pastels now available. We will discuss the importance of lines, shapes, values, edges and color choices. We will first work from a simple do-it-yourself still life set-up, and then from your own photos. Students new to pastel painting as well as returning students are welcome.Obtain materials list at The ArtsCenter front desk, prior to first class.
Kim Werfel Thursday, 10am-12:30pm, September 5-October 3 (5 weeks) $125 public, $113 Friends

The ArtsCenter of Carrboro is located at 300-G East Main Street, Carrboro, NC  27510.  

Returning students are welcome and can work on their own projects as in the Continuing  Pastel class.

Looking forward to seeing some new and familiar faces!  I've kinda missed y'all (said with a NY accent) ;)

Happy painting,

Kim

kimwerfel.com

Schnauzer-mix Commissioned Portrait

Today I'm going to share with you my process with painting "Petey", an adorable schnauzer-mix....my latest portrait commission.

First I choose a photo from my client's phone.  Since this is a surprise and she's out of state, I never got to take my own pictures (much preferred).  Luckily, she had this very expressive picture with nice lighting too!

So then we decide how large she wants it and I enlarge the photo to the size needed.  Then I sketch the main shapes in charcoal....taking care to get everything in just the right place.  This is constantly revised throughout the painting of the piece as I go.

Then I start with the darks.  I choose several colors...dark cool blues, browns, purples, blue-greens and a taupey - green shadow.  I add some lights too to see how the contrast will look.  I want to bring the viewer to her face (Petey's a she) so I make sure that's where the most contrast is.

I decide to try-out some background colors as Petey was sitting on a rug with lots of subtle colors that played nicely with her coloring.  I didn't want it to distract from her, but add some more life to the portrait.

Continuing along, I add more detail to her face and start considering her lower half...paws, fur and more background.

More refining...and more fun with the abstract background...blending and mixing colors.  Pastels are so wonderfully expressive and malleable!

Voila!  Portrait of Petey is finished!  What a fun project! :)

To see more of my dog as well as cat, animal and human portraits...please go to my website:

http://www.kimwerfel.com

Portraits make wonderful one-of-a-kind gifts for that special someone.  Order yours now, while there's time for me to paint them!  Find out the process on my website and send me an e-mail to get yours in my schedule.

Have a great day,

Kim