Morning Sunshine
Pastel on Paper, 70cm X 50cm.
Portrait of Carol, first thing in the morning.
hehehe
Much to my surprise this artwork turned up on the cover of the Pastel Journal after being submitted as an entry to the Pastel 100 comp this year.
You can check out it here - > http://www.fwmagazines.com/product/2784/26
Morning Sunshine belongs to the following groups:
1 on 1: The Fine Art of Portraiture , Prize Challenges!!, Realist Traditional Art and Works On Paper Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints and Framed Prints

Paul Vanzella
your work is so incredible… how do you do it… you use space so effectively, your rendering is flawless.. in awe of your art!
modernlifeform replied
:)
I do it with great difficulty truth be told.
And thanks
Arie
More than incredible! Super art!
modernlifeform replied
:)
thanks
Peter Zentjens
Fantastic, again….
modernlifeform replied
thank you :)
I’m working out replying and stuffs now at last. Hooray!
Deborah Holman
Amazing portrait extremely well executed
modernlifeform replied
:D
thank you
Karin Taylor
this is absolutely incredible…it truly looks like a photo…..you cannot possibly tell the difference…
i stand in awe of your ability :))
modernlifeform replied
:)
well thank you.
Oddly enough I’ve had 4 different people call me “a god” in realation to this so far…its a bit much for my poor little head, I may not get through doors soon..
jemimalovesbigted
beautiful and flawless. you are an extraordinary talent!
modernlifeform replied
:)
thanks
Cherie Dirksen
Absolutely amazing work of art! Beautifully captured.
modernlifeform replied
:)
thank you
Hidemi Tada
i lost any words.
modernlifeform replied
:)
thanks
Alice McMahon ...
These get more real with each one. Her hair is astounding. I love these simple compositions.
modernlifeform replied
Thanks :)
As allways I thought the hair wasn’t working. For some reason everytime I think “O crap I’ve stuffe the hair this time, I’m usualy so good at it…” and go rework it.
Trying to keep it as simple as possible, going to start stripping back my oils a bit as well I think.
tina tran
i love your pastel work, looks fantastically smooth
modernlifeform replied
:)
having the right paper helps hey, makes it all flow really easily.
Oh and also the Schminke white being so so soft is handy for smooth ness
Damian
So beautiful, from the thumb I’d thought it was a photo. Your detail and her expression is wonderful.
modernlifeform replied
:)
thanks
John R.P. Nyaid
This is incredibly beautiful! Compositional and rendering-wise, definitely top notch.
modernlifeform replied
:)
well thank you, I spent longer then usual trying to balance the composition on this one, was worried it might be kinda falling over looking, if you know what I mean
Marie Magnusson
great skintone and expression, it’s amazing how realistic your drawings are
modernlifeform replied
:)
The expression was hard, in fact the whole angle was trickier then I though. I allways just go in thinking, “hey this will be easy” and then I’m like..EEK! wierd forshortening! help!...but I got there in the end..that jawling was rubbed back and reworked more times then I’m going to admitt
Karin Taylor
haha!! you figured it out!!! great :)
modernlifeform replied
:)
I can be taught
nehbol
Stunning work
Theresa Rankin
Speechless!!! Fantastic portfolio!!
modernlifeform replied
:)
thanks
Sienna Morris
The quality and power of your work goes against all reason.
modernlifeform replied
heheh.
thanks, that has got to be some of the higher praise I have received lately :)
caroline ellis
truely thought this was a photo, increadable
Arnold Isbister
your shadows even glow, i noticed the reflection of color in the shadows of your “Red” series…..and the ‘blue’ too. Very professional.
modernlifeform replied
:) thanks. Reflected lights in shadows are so important, its easy once someone points it out to you and you learn where to look : )
Magda Vacariu
i am impressed with your portraits, the details are amazing.
mimi yoon
you are incredible!!!!!
Charles McKean
Fab
Melissa Park
Congratulations!! this image has been

in Prize Challenges!!
Michael Jones
incredibley well observed and executed…..I am awed.
Rob2in
wow!!! ti lucks so real.
Magda Vacariu
perfect detail, and so much life in it.
Lee Wilde
modernlifeform replied
:D
thank you
coffeetea
brilliant!
modernlifeform replied
:)
thanks
Gilly1
THis is lovely, and very life-like. Very nicely done!
Kate Eller
I don’t think I believe this. It’s a photo….right?............
Kate Eller
Just kidding!
modernlifeform replied
hehehe
I’m amazed how well it worked out actaully, I was in the middle of moving and kinda rushed it, and could see all kinds of things wrong with it at the time, must’ve just had a really sharp eye right then
Kate Eller
Awwwwwwwhhhhh! You’re just a genius…that’s all.
Alyson Pearson
wow again, incredible talent!
Lora Garcelon
WOW!! This is amazing – It looks like a photo, only better.
Laura Barber-R...
My jaw is on the floor- WOW! Speechless….
Martin Kirkwood
Stunning work.
Jereme Crow
beautiful!!!!
LorusMaver
Beautiful & outstanding work my friend ! a master.
jwinman
love it! so real, so sexy!
modernlifeform replied
Hehe thanks. Carol is a very nice looking girl. She’s staying here atm actually, hopefully more photos for more pastels later on today :D
Phil Eckert
superb
Carole Russell
Speechless – you certainly desreved to win the challenge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
modernlifeform replied
:) thanks.
http://www.fwmagazines.com/product/2784/26 :)
Margaret Stock...
Congratulations on the win! A beautiful artwork in a highly competitive field!
modernlifeform replied
:) thank you
Colin Cartwright
No surprise that this painting was on the cover of the Pastel Journal!
Stunning reality and talent. One of the best portraits I’ve seen.
modernlifeform replied
;-) thank you, I’m still rather stunned to find myself on the cover of the 10th anniversary issue, in which they go back over the best stuff for the last 10 years. and it’s the pastel 100 issue also, which means there was 4500 + images to pick from just from those comp entries..
Margaret Harris
When I first looked at your work I thought they were photographs….Your amazingly talented…Wow ! Beautiful work.
modernlifeform replied
:)
thank you.
Colin Cartwright
Which goes to show that real art is still valued. I’m not surprised this was chosen amongst 1000s! Superb art!
ChristineBetts
OMG this is absolutely amazing! congrats on the win and the cover. your work is an inspiration!
modernlifeform replied
:)
thank you, I’m pretty happy :D
Jean Hildebrant
I wanted to congratulate you on winning the challenge but even greater, I wanted to congratulate you on making the cover of the Pastel Journal Magazine!!! A great honor and such wonderful exposure of your work! Beautiful painting :-)
Jean
modernlifeform replied
:) thank you, I’m rather stunned about the cover, its not like I won the comp, was in fact an honorable mention in portrait and figures this year, and animal and wildlife last year. To be on the cover of that and the artist magazine the same month is just crazy, I’m still trying to work out what I did to deserve it :D You won a first in 2006? which section/artwork? I’m hardly surprised as your work is very strong.
Tracey-Anne Pryke
stunning work..I’m blown away
modernlifeform replied
bah…I replied to this but red bubble seems to have eaten it.
so yeah… thanks :-)
Carolyn Bishop
Fantastic! I am in awe of your talent! Wow! And, congratulations!
modernlifeform replied
:)
thank you
bevmorgan
Stunningly beautiful piece of work. I am in awe.
modernlifeform replied
:-)
thanks.
ray bermudez
beautiful
modernlifeform replied
:)
thanks
SigneNordin
You do really beautiful work…and I enjoyed reading the article about you in The Artist’s Magazine!!
modernlifeform replied
thanks, and cool! I still have not seen that article, hopefully one will reach our fair shores soon :)
Estelle O'Brien
Fantastic work, love the composition.
modernlifeform replied
:)
thank you
MONoxide
absolutely amazing,
she looks so real
great work
Shane Ryan
flawless realism, brilant
illestwill
PASTELS?!! WOW!
Joseph Colella
Oh My God! This is an amazing piece of pastel work. I love realist work, I thought this was a photo at first!
Have you considered entering the Doug Moran portrait prize?
modernlifeform replied
Well thanks.
I have indeed thought of entering the Moran Prize, I just need to get organized. I’m not sure they except pastels however so it would have to be an oil
Joseph Colella
The prize (I believe, its been a while since ive entered) is open to any medium, just as long as it is protected (i.e. properly prepared surface, its framed, medium is fixed) – I would do it if I were you.
modernlifeform replied
Really?
I guess I must be thinking of the archibald, and I guess the fact that the one time I ever went and saw the Moran show it was all paintings I think, although it was years ago.
Will check if out for sure. I’ve never entered any of the big portrait prizes as of yet, might be almost time to get off my butt and do something about it
Joseph Colella
Doesnt hurt to try.. and theres $$$ in it – if you dont ever try you wont ever win. Trust me on this one.
maria paterson
just received my pastel mag in the mail and theres your painting on the front, top shelf work, keep it up.
modernlifeform replied
Oh and thanks for the kind words :)
modernlifeform
ahh so it’s in Australia :)
hopefuly I can get my hands on a copy sometime soon
maria paterson
yes it takes quite a while to get here, i dont think ill do it again next year
mimi yoon
congratulations, david!!!!!
just received the special 10th year anniversary copy of the pastel journal and voilĂ ~
i was so excited to see this image on the cover…. congratulations again…. :D
modernlifeform replied
hehe.
well thank you, I’m pretty happy about it I must say.
I haven’t seen it in the flesh as of yet, can’t be tooo far away I hope.
ISMAIL ALAOUI ...
incredible, you almost made me say it real photo
sneha
this is the BEST!!! dont have words to say how awsome this is!! too cool!
Orla Cahill
That is amazing! I honestly thought that was a photo. It was only when I went to read the image’s description that I realised not. I’m in awe! The detail is superb. The hair, the skin, everything. Congrats on the features. :)
Rebecca Bryson
You are killing me here…I just cannot say enough about your talent. I am completely in awe!! You are blessed with a magnificent talent :)
micmac
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!
Casey Herman
Everything that’s already been said … I agree!
neogolas
I agree your work is brilliant.
Eugenio
:))) Lovely shot !!!!
modernlifeform replied
:)
thanks.
It’s a pastel drawing but I assume you know that :)
osburatti
wow. can’t believe it’s not a photo.. fabulous work.. if I get a swell head with some comments on my drawings I’ll quickly come down to earth when I see your work
modernlifeform replied
hmm well thanks, a big part of my results is how bloody long I spend on them, just finished my second one for this year :(
Simon Aberle
modernlifeform replied
:D hooray!
TomWard
Awesome work….better than a photograph!
modernlifeform replied
:) thanks
AnitaInverarity
WOW- Exquisite- CONGRATS on your win in Pastel Perfection xxx
modernlifeform replied
Thank you, I’m allways happy to win stuff :D
conniecrayon
just brilliant , well done on winning Pastel Perfection you so deserved it (O:
modernlifeform replied
:D
thank you kindly
Lynda Robinson
Congratultions on winning the Pastel Perfection challenge. This is an amazing portrait, and having just read the history of the comments, I can see that you have done exceptionally well all over the place with this wonderful painting. Such a well deserved win ‘modernlifeform’ person!!!
modernlifeform replied
hehe
well thank you very much, fortune has indeed smiled on me with this one.
And my name is David ^^ I like a unisex name to see if my work looks like it was obviously made by a man, which I’m glad to say it doesn’t seem to be :D
Simon Aberle
BTW you can delete the first banner I posted…..I kinda stuffed up…..... ;)
Jo Hawkins
Perfection – I am so jealous!
GomesPereira
Fantastic work! Great technique and beautiful composition! love it…..GP
Leslie Gustafson
This is a phenomenal work and I saw it on the cover!!
Lito Yonzon
one of my fave!
Chris Baker
Amazing painting, and really beautifully rendered :)
Rachel Aponte
this is truly beautiful. your skill and talend are tremendous!
Jo Holden
Wow! This is absolutely amazing. It’s so photographic. Outstanding work.
Magdalena Mak...
that’s fantastic!!!!!!!!!!