New Photograph, Watercolor Portrait of Steve McQueen

Barbara Sparhawk

New Photograph, Watercolor Portrait of Steve McQueen

In honor of Oscars night, a favorite actor
Portrait of Steve McQueen
Water color and ink on paper
From an old photo in a local magazine. McQueen used to do a lot of racing at the nearby Laguna Seca racetrack. Someone got a shot of him just pulling off the goggles, mud and grease on his face, in his leathers, and wearing that
You Want a Piece of This?
look
he did so well and made him so interesting to watch as an actor.

The Hawks Perch

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New Photograph, Watercolor Portrait of Steve McQueen by Barbara Sparhawk
  • ~ Ademac

    ~ Ademac

    Steve McQueen is one of my favourite actors of all time…..............my Dad took me to see Bullit when I was about 12 and I looked for Steve McQueen movies from then on. This is a great likeness Barb, you have captured that sparkle in his eyes….........well done.

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Thanks so much, Adrian. You always make wonderful comments. Really such an interesting actor, I don’t think I’ve ever not loved one of his movies. Bullit a favorite, too. The Great Escape.Thomas Crown Affair. So many.

  • whisperingruth

    whisperingruth

    Oh Barbara….........fascinating portrait of Steve…........Great Escape is one of my all time favorite movies….......they just don’t make movies like that any more nor men like McQueen!! Truly wonderful art piece…........

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Ruth, thanks so much! Very fond of the man, wish we still had him around. Great Escape was terrific, I agree, think he did all his own stunts on the bike. Thanks for all you’ve said, XXOO

  • photos40

    photos40

    Just a beautiful portrait. Steve would have been very proud of this piece. My favorite was Wanted Dead or Alive.

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Thank you, photos40, very kind. That was a terrific series, he was made for speed and gunslinging.

  • CKEphotos

    CKEphotos

    Steve McQueen is so larger than life….. this portrait captures that essence of the man….. outstanding on so many levels…I love how you have portrayed this expression, especially his eyes, so full of life!

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Thanks so much, CKEphotos, I agree. That wonderful simmering quality, the danger to him was riveting. Your complement is very kind, glad you like the portrait.

  • dairygirl08

    dairygirl08

    yet another fantastic portrait, you captured him very well

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Much appreciated, dairygirl. I figured I owed you all some contemporaries (almost, by a few decades anyway). You work on these things until you see a familiar expression looking back. Some of the detail’s lost in my bad photography, I need to get a digital camera that works!

  • blamo

    blamo

    another supreme actor tremendous style you have ….........

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Thank you blamo! Very kind of you.

  • Sande Elkins

    Sande Elkins

    You capture something very personal in your portraits, such depth of spirit. It’s like looking into the face of an old friend. Dead too soon, this one. I’ve often wondered what amazing roles he might have played in old age if he’d made it that far. I always loved him because he looks just like my one and only older brother whom I always idolized.

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    How lovely of you to say, Sande, thank you so much. I feel the same, wish he were still here because he’d only have gotten better and better. You’re a superb portraitist, your praise means a lot.
    But to the real point, I want ot meet your brother. I idolize him already.

  • MinoYasue

    MinoYasue

    He was such great actor; it is so sad he had to go so early. The drama within this image is so impacting as to illustrate his traded fate.

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Thank you Yasue, for all you said. Very dramatic guy indeed, and that wonderful kind of about-to-erupt volcanic quality to him. I appreciate your comments so much.

  • Jeff Burns

    Jeff Burns

    gorgeous work its beautiful

  • pjm123

    pjm123

    nice work Barbara :) what a cool dude… a really lovable rogue and fine actor, and probably responsable for making every guy want a Ford Mustang GT Fastback!!!

  • Barbara Sparhawk

    Barbara Sparhawk

    Thanks so much Jeff! Much appreciated.
    And pjm123, thank you so much.
    And I see I finally did something for the guys, too! Very cool dude, and I’m sure you’re right about the Ford Mustang GT Fastback, sure sound right to me.

  • Antanas

    Antanas

    great portrait, perfectly done

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Thanks so much, Antanas.

  • bites

    bites

    wow! Your watercolour work is stunning! this is beyond excellent!!

  • Barbara Sparhawk

    Barbara Sparhawk

    Dear bites, many thanks. I never used water color much like it’s intended, I don’t have the patience I think for leaving blank spaces and exquisite washes so I tend to use it more like fast drying oil paint. I’m so glad you like this.

  • TFFDavid

    TFFDavid

    Wow,eeeeeeeee …...... this is just brilliant.

    You are a very talented artist.

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Thank you David! Your kindness much appreciated, so glad you like the portrait.

  • Rosina Lamberti

    Rosina Lamberti

    This is fantastic ,beautiful work.

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Very kind of you to say, thanks Rosina, I’m so glad you like it.

  • mare

    mare

    You’ve got an awesome talent with those brushes, Barb!

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Hello, Mare! Many thanks. Hope your own work and shows are going brilliantly!

  • Steven Sandner

    Steven Sandner

    Cool work, thanks for sharing!

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Thank you, Steven. Much appreciated.

  • Mark Gardner

    Mark Gardner

    wow, wonderful capture of that o so expressive face, i have always admired him, he was a rebel off screen too, a real bike nut, fantastic work as always

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    McQueen really was such fun to watch in movies, wasn’t he. A teeming cauldron of emotions and you kind of held your breath to see when he’d explode, and at whom. Thanks, Mark, for all you wrote.

  • gladders

    gladders

    I am glad you just commented on my photo because it reminded me of this remarkable portrait of Steve Mcqueen….wonderful stuf Barbara…..I cant stop whistleing the theme from Bullett

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    I can’t remember the theme, but loved the movie so much. Thanks, Simon. I saw a picture of Alec Guinness the other day and started whistling Bridge on the River Kwai.

  • Holly Martinson

    Holly Martinson

    I loved Steve McQueen and this portrait is fantastic.

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Thank you so much, Holly.
    Me too, I miss him. How great he’d be to watch on screen now.

  • DawsonImages

    DawsonImages

    You are gifted with portraits, nice!

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Bless your heart, lovely of you to say, Dawson.

  • Scott Ruhs

    Scott Ruhs

    Excellent work the choice of colors help bring out his essence

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Much appreciated, Scott Ruhs. Thank you.

  • Julie Marks

    Julie Marks

    Brilliant portrait of a complicated, unique and exceptionally talented. You captured the pain and intensity of his explosive character that he portrayed on the screen and lived life to fullest despite harsh consequences. It was not only the that wanted that cool Mustang fastback. I loved the muscle cars of the 60’s. Now they have revived the Mustang, but like everything else those of us who came of age in the 60’s, nothing can be replicated during a cultural revolution that changed the life of all of us who shared the passion and rebelliousness of the counterculture. I wish more people had the passion and spirit of Steve McQueen and all of us who adored his powerful presence.

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Thank you so much, Julie. It was an interesting experience to paint him. Individuals who are so well known are a challenge to capture in a recognizeable way, and if they’re off too much, it’s such a let down to look at. I agree he was very complex, and of an unusual period when so much change was afoot in the generations after WW II. I’m so pleased that you like the portrait.

  • SNik

    SNik

    lots of feel in here

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Many thanks, SNik. It’s what I aim for.

  • Jean M. Laffitau

    Jean M. Laffitau

    Fantastic and strong portrait!

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Thank you so much, Jean. I admired him so much.

  • MaryMackey

    MaryMackey

    Wow, amazing portrait! Beautiful job. You are very talented.

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    I’m delighted that you found and like this portrait, Mary. Thanks so much for what you’ve said.

  • BarbBarcikKeith

    BarbBarcikKeith

    Yup.. Steve had a certain magic about him that MADE you watch his every move.. and he moved so well too.. you did him justice.. well done..

  • Helene Kippert

    Helene Kippert

    You’ve captured that look so well – great work Barbara :o)

  • Matt Halls

    Matt Halls

    Excellent rendition of Steve, Barbara! Great art!

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Thanks so very much, Matt. I watched The Great Escape last night, and suddenly felt so proud I’d done his portrait.

  • Paul Scarsella

    Paul Scarsella

    Beautiful work Barbara – Steve was the ultimate actor back in the day!

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    You’re right, Paul, he’s just so good. What a legacy he’s left us. He’s all quiet competance, and it’s wonderful to see. Many thanks for your complement.

  • photosan

    photosan

    Johnny Uma….”The Rebel.”...what a great shot…

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Thanks so much, Larry. Much appreciated.

  • cherokee

    cherokee

    What a wonderful painting of the “man”,its really fantastic

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    The kind of character that really defined America. Look at the idiots produced by Hollywood now. Thank you, Jo. I loved the guy, wish I’d met him.

  • apjenkins

    apjenkins

    love this painting so full of life and looks like you too led an eventful life it has filled your work with real verve and vividness a pleasure to find your work

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Many thanks, apjenkins. I do like motion.

  • Abdelaziz Alsamahy

    Abdelaziz Alsa...

    wonderful portrait … good job

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Thank you very much, Abdelaziz. Great actor, one of my all time favorites. Your work is interesting to see.

  • David Harris

    David Harris

    You are so very good Barbara! What a gift you have!!

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Like anything we are led to focus on, faces have always held such fascination for me. And learning how to achieve a particular expression has been a long exploration. You encourage me that I might be getting it right sometimes. Thanks, David.

  • Anthony Hedger

    Anthony Hedger

    a wonderful painting of a true actor

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Thank you Tony. I miss him too. I’m sure he’d still be nailing villains to the wall with that icy stare and getting all the girls of the next generations weak in the knees.

  • Alessandro Pinto

    Alessandro Pinto

    Nice One.. l like Steve McQueen

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Very kind, thanks elbambino. Me too.

  • Azzurra

    Azzurra

    wow i love this…awesome ♥♥ he was great in papillon x

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Thanks so much, Azzurra. I think the Great Escape and Bullit are my favorites, but yes Papillion too, he was always so intriguing to watch.

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