Earl. Facing the light

Earl. Facing the light by Valerie Simms

Earl. Facing the light

I’m addicted!!!!
I’m not a professional artist I have a full time job and am self employed which means my working day can, with paperwork etc be from dusk till dawn! However in the last year I have become addicted to my artwork!
What has this to do with this pastel painting ?
I was going nuts the other day wanting to create something but with no reference material I’m lost :( I normally like to use my own photos
I found myself browsing the Redbibble Gallery and came across a photograph which I found so striking I had to recreate.
The photographer is Earl McCall and I would like to thank him for allowing me to use his photo
It is not totally about getting a ‘likeness’ but I hope I have. Its about being inspired to put pastel to paper and creating something from within myself.
Thankyou Earl for the inspiration :)

Earl. Facing the light belongs to the following groups:

1 on 1: The Fine Art of Portraiture, Realist Traditional Art, The Eyes Have It and United Kingdom
  • Hidemi Tada

    Hidemi Tada, 2 months ago

    it is nice you are not professional painter. If you were, we will lose our clients. Anyway your portraiture skill is perfect to me.

  • Valerie Simms

    Valerie Simms in reply to Hidemi Tada’s comment, 2 months ago

    Thankyou :)

  • Brian Towers

    Brian Towers, 2 months ago

    i have to say Valerie that you are better than many ‘professionals’ I’ve seen – particularly some who teach. This is a superb work and you have certainly mastered pastels.

  • Valerie Simms

    Valerie Simms in reply to Brian Towers’s comment, 2 months ago

    Thankyou Brian I can always rely on you to give me a boost. It means a great deal and I appreciate it x

  • Michael Bailey

    Michael Bailey, 2 months ago

    As usual, very highly skilled painting from you.

  • Anette Tyler

    Anette Tyler, 2 months ago

    Excellent work

  • Marie Magnusson

    Marie Magnusson, 2 months ago

    fantastic portrait, his skin is amazing

  • Carlos Solorza

    Carlos Solorza, 2 months ago

    masterful indeed. What a beautiful work Valerie. outstanding job of portraying the beauty and strength of this man.

  • Gary  Crandall

    Gary Crandall, 2 months ago

    Well, you did create something unique beyond the photo image… a nice added dimension that pastels and your inner eye bring to it… very lovely…

  • mstrace

    mstrace, 2 months ago

    I’ve seen this photo and I think his work is amazing (especially the photos of him!), so you picked a great subject here and rendered it brilliantly!! strong, powerful and seductive.

  • Lee Wilde

    Lee Wilde, 2 months ago

  • Reba Hierholzer

    Reba Hierholzer, about 1 month ago

    Wow – you have a natural gift! I love the reflection across the top of his head – that little strip of red (caput mortem?) really sets it off. Great skin tones overall – lots of depth. Fabulous!

  • Earl McCall

    Earl McCall, about 1 month ago

    Valerie your work is amazing! Thanks so much! I am honored beyond words to know that my photography has inspired you. You are a master at what you do. Keep up the great work!

  • Jean Hildebrant

    Jean Hildebrant, 5 days ago

    Beautifully drawn and very emotive!

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