Creating a Portrait of Hands

"Hands of An Artist"

Krys Pettit

Watercolor on Archival Paper

Private Collection

I typically paint commissioned portraits of houses and buildings, something I enjoy doing because I feel I connect with a client, though the dwelling or the memories they have of a certain structure or place.  Most recently I was given a unique opportunity to create a portrait commission of a fellow artist's hands, truly a different subject than I am used to doing, but equally as connecting and emotional as any other personal portrait. 

I was moved by the request from my friend and at the same time a bit challenged. The objects in the hands  have special meaning to this person and they needed to be placed in the hands in this specific way, capturing a moment in time when they fell into the open palms.  

Originally we discussed creating a black and white drawing but I felt delicate washes of watercolor would tell the story better than the just black and white marks. The washes were kept simple and light but added the right amount of complexity to the painting. 

We often think of portraits of faces, but other parts of our bodies are unique and define us, like the hands of an artist. 

Visit my website for a sampling of my work and custom house portraiture:

https://www.kryspettit.com

Wild Oats and Billy Goats is a great, eclectic fine art and craft gallery in Decatur, GA and I am thrilled be a part of their tribe:

https://wildoatsandbillygoats.com/collections/krys-pettit

Etsy is a great marketplace for fine art and craft and I have had my store there for a number of years.  You'll find prints and my medium-sized oils, acrylic and watercolors.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/KrysPettitArtwork

Looking for art to fill your home and within budget?  I regularly put out studies, smaller works, and older pieces for auction at my eBay store.  It's fun to bid and win and I keep the work varied and fresh:

https://www.ebay.com/str/kryspettitartist

Evolution of a Window

"Forgotten Window - Casa Feliz"
Watercolor by Krys Pettit
15" High x 11" Wide
Available for Purchase

When I am working on a painting I get involved -- so much so I don't have a feeling for what time it is.  I look up and two hours have flown by.  Often I regret not taking images of the progression of the painting and I am working on being more mindful of capturing the journey of what I do.  I wanted to share with you a few of the steps it took to create my latest in my window series, "Forgotten Window" (Casa Feliz).

The original shot was taken over a year ago at the beautiful Casa Feliz Historic House in Winter Park, Florida.  I tend to look for the small, quiet corners of beautiful buildings, the little forgotten places that add to the overall beauty of a location.  This window with the strong shadows really spoke to me.

Sometimes I paint from photo references from my iPads (I have 2--don't ask), an actual photo I took (old school is often the best), or in this case I printed out the image.  I have it set up with the beginnings of the piece on my drafting table with my favorite watercolor palette ready to go.

Watercolor is a transparent media -- meaning the white of the paper comes through and gives a piece beautiful luminescence.  It is a challenge me to keep the white in because I am a slave to colors, the deeper and darker the better.  But I held off and worked hard on keeping this piece fresh by laying in gentle washes here and there and preserving the glow from the white of the paper.

I love windows and have a special color combination I use to get the darks in this one:  a red with cool tones, a deep luscious magenta, and a burnt Sienna brown.  I mix on the paper as much as possible, wetting the paper so the color can explode in those wet areas.

At this stage the piece looked good but not dramatic enough.  I have to step away for a while, grab a coffee, check in with my husband, and clear my mind.  After that I realized I needed to add darker shadows under the window, pump up those window panes, and add some cast shadows around the building.

Here is the finished piece -- took about 2 hours.  I decided to stop here.  I have a tendency to overwork my paintings when they are at their best.  It takes discipline to listen to that voice in your head that gently says, "Stop ALREADY!! It's done."

If you like my art and want to see more of my paintings of windows, doors and gates, please visit my website, Krys Pettit - Artist.  I always love when people visit and share my art and I invite you to check it out.

Krys Pettit Artist -- Doors, Windows and Gates