Faces and Figures

New Watercolor Paintings

2012-05-10T08:39:00.002-07:00

"Little Guardian", watercolor, 39 x 33"

I've been painting furiously for an upcoming exhibition, "Beauty And The Beast: Faces and Figures of Pittsburgh's Industrial Landscape". The opening reception is Thursday, June 7 at Galerie Werner, located in the Mansions on Fifth Hotel.

The exhibition is the result of a collaboration of four women painters, each working in our unique style and medium, to create paintings of Pittsburgh's steel mills. My direction evolved to focus on the neighborhoods, specifically the porches, surrounding the steel mills.

I have not worked from someone else's photos before, so the challenge has been to take another's vision and re-work the design, composition, and style to create a new vision and story.

"My Castle", watercolor, 29 x 35"

"Watercolor Made Easy: Portraits" is in!

2012-04-18T05:02:00.000-07:00

It was exciting to finally see 8 months of hard work translated into a beautifully designed and printed book. The art department at Walter Foster Publishing exceeded my expectations and the result is a nicely organized, easy-to-follow instructional book. Now to sign and ship all the orders! Thank you to everyone who pre-ordered through my website.

If you would like to order a signed copy, you can do so here.

Free Giveaway! "Watercolor Made Easy: Portraits"

2012-03-09T10:43:00.017-08:00

I will be giving away a copy of my new book "Watercolor Made Easy: Portraits" to the first three participants signed up for the 3-Day Art Immersion Retreat, to be held here in Pittsburgh at the Mansions on Fifth Hotel.

3-Day Watercolor Workshop and Retreat
"Creating Portraits That Tell A Story"

August 6-8, 2012
Mansions on Fifth, Pittsburgh, Pa

About the Retreat

This is no ordinary watercolor workshop! This is a retreat for art lovers who want to immerse themselves in art and luxury. This unique three-day event includes Sunday evening cocktails and art reception, hosted by Galerie Werner, 3-nights accommodations at the Mansions, breakfast, lunch, snacks, and three full days of group and one-one one art instruction for all levels.

About the Workshop

The workshop will focus on creating expressive, contemporary watercolor portraits that tell a story. Download a materials list and syllabus. For pricing and registration information, please e-mail Mary Del Brady or go to Mansions on Fifth. There is special pricing for room sharing and a small fee added to bring your spouse!

About the Book

"Watercolor Made Easy: Portraits" is published by Walter Foster Publishing and designed for watercolorists of all levels. It contains 64 pages of advice and information, as well as nine step-by-step portraits. Each portrait takes the reader from initial design through completed painting.

How to Get Your Free Copy

The book is due to be released May 2012. Once I receive confirmation of your retreat deposit, I will reserve your signed copy and it will ship as soon as it is released.

Latest Commissioned Watercolor Portraits

2012-02-15T14:16:00.000-08:00

This was a special commission for a young man who wanted to surprise his wife on their first anniversary. There is a story to the painting, which made it even more special. I was very honored to be asked to paint this for them.

I also had the pleasure of painting three adorable sisters, each with their own distinct personality. The challenge was that each of these paintings needed to stand alone as an individual portrait, as well as hang together as a grouping.

The eldest was my "helper" and made a terrific assistant. She has a very outgoing personality and made sure I got the perfect shot.

The middle child was my "observer". She watched everything I did with careful scrutiny. She asked pointed questions about why I was doing something and how it was done.

This little cutie was a bundle of fun. Everything made her smile and laugh, especially her older sisters.

I always feel very privileged to be asked to paint a loved one. It's even better when they are a joy to work with.

Next up: dogs, dogs, dogs! Lots of pet portraits to finish up this month.

New! 3-Day Art Immersion Workshop and Retreat

2012-01-19T05:29:00.000-08:00

AUGUST 6-8, 2012
This is no ordinary painting workshop! This is a retreat for art lovers who want to immerse themselves in art and luxury. This unique three-day event starts with Sunday evening cocktails and art reception, hosted by Galerie Werner. It includes 3-nights accommodations at the Mansions, breakfast, lunch, and three full days of group and one-one one art instruction for all levels. The workshop will focus on creating expressive, contemporary watercolor portraits that tell a story. Renew your love of painting, or take your skills to the next level, while immersing yourself in the beautiful surroundings of the newly-restored Mansions on Fifth.

Take a virtual tour of the Mansions with this video created by Table Magazine:

There are two retreats scheduled for 2012, a 3-day workshop with Peggi Habets in August and a 4-day workshop with Jeannie McGuire in October.

For pricing and registration information, please e-mail Mary Del Brady at the Mansions. Workshop details and materials list will be available for download here very soon.

"Watercolor Made Easy: Portraits" Pre-orders

2012-01-02T18:02:00.000-08:00

"Send". What a nice feeling it was to hit that button and send off the last of the copy and images for the book! All that's left is to proof the pages as they come back from the art department. Fingers crossed that all looks good and that many edits aren't needed.

The book is due out in Spring 2012, but since I've had many requests about ordering, I decided to offer preorders on my website. The cost is $14.99 plus shipping. I will sign the pre-ordered books.

To pre-order your copy, click on the link below and follow the ordering instructions.

Yes! I would like to pre-order a copy of the book.

Portrait Certificates Available

2011-12-17T06:27:00.000-08:00

This is the time of the year when people are requesting portrait commissions for loved ones. Because of the amount of time that is devoted to each individual portrait, I often cannot have the painting done by a specific date. I tell each client that the person receiving the portrait will be living with it for a LONG time; we don't want to cut corners or rush the process.

I've come up with certificates that can be given to the recipient of the portrait. The certificate comes in an attractive envelope and includes examples of paintings, a customized quote, an explanation of the process, and a special message to the recipient. There are two versions: one for pets and one for people.

(click the image to view details of the certificate)

Workshops in 2012: Creating Portraits That Tell a Story

2011-11-10T08:56:00.000-08:00

I just updated my website with my workshop schedule for Spring 2012. I am looking forward to teaching at Westminster Presbyterian Church for the third straight year and Henne's Art Supply in Ohio for the second year.

My workshops are geared to artists of all abilities who are interested in expressive realism and contemporary portraiture. My goal is to show students that a portrait is a painting first, so concepts of good design, composition and values are always presented in the workshop.

To inquire about scheduling a workshop in the US or internationally, please contact Peggi at peggihabets@gmail.com or 412-951-9144. Together, we can design a package that meets your group's needs. Workshops are 1-5 days in length.You can download the sign up form by clicking on the link or the image below:

MARCH 2012 WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP

More Portraits from Upcoming Book, "Watercolor Made Easy: Portraits"

2011-11-01T06:41:00.000-07:00

The past eight months have been so interesting. I have been working on a book for Walter Foster publishing. "Watercolor Made Easy: Portraits" is a how-to book for those wanting to learn the basic techniques of painting watercolor portraits.

In the book I show the step-by-step process for painting nine different portraits, from initial sketch to final portrait. This, of course, is one way to paint, but not the way everyone should paint. I give enough tips and suggestions so that the artist can get started, but encourage each artist to explore their individual style and technique.

The book will be published in Spring 2012 and will be available for sale on my website and through Walter Foster Publishing.

Above and below are some of the portraits that will be included. From top to bottom, "Jakob", "Shankutala", "Disquiet" and "Prelude".

"Beyond Faces and Figures"

2011-08-19T05:45:00.000-07:00

Just sent out my Summer edition of "Beyond Faces & Figures", a quarterly e-newsletter for those on my mailing list. This issue contains a sneak peak into "Watercolor Made Easy: Portraits", a new how-to book I've been working on, due out in Spring 2012. It also contains a short video clip from a pet portrait demo I did at a recent watercolor workshop.

Click here if you would like to see it, or to sign up to receive future issues.

Painting #4 for "Watercolor Made Easy: Portraits"

2011-08-06T08:55:00.000-07:00

I Wish, watercolor, 19 x 16"

This is portrait #4, painted for "Watercolor Made Easy: Portraits". The book is due out in Spring 2012 and will show the step-by-step process for painting portraits. It's been amazing working with the art director and project manager; they take everything you do and make it so much better.

Project 3 for "Watercolor Made Easy: Portraits"

2011-07-18T08:46:00.000-07:00

Here is the 3rd project I've completed for a new book "Watercolor Made Easy: Portraits". The book is due out in Spring, 2012. It is a step-by-step instructional book published by Walter Foster Publishing. The book will include 9 or 10 projects showing the progression of the portrait from initial design and drawing to completed portrait.

This is a portrait of my friend and fellow artist, Saihou Njie. Saihou is an extremely talented artist from Gambia who works with batik and fabric. You can see his work here.

Watercolor Workshop in Ohio

2011-07-10T09:57:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I spent the day with eight artists at Henne's Drafting and Art Supply in Mansfield, Ohio. It was a great group of enthusiastic and talented artists who were interested in learning how to paint watercolor pet portraits.

Below is a video clip from the painting demo I did of a dog, shot with my new Flip video camera. (I love the Flip; so easy even I can figure it out.) I have no idea how to edit yet, so all the chit chat I do at the workshops is in there. :-)

Latest painting for "Watercolor Made Easy: Portraits"

2011-07-07T04:22:00.000-07:00

Here's the 2nd project from "Watercolor Made Easy: Portraits". I will be painting a total of ten portraits for the book, which is due out in Spring 2012. Each portrait will show all the steps, from begining sketch to final painting.

I don't have a title for this portrait yet. Any suggestions?

Upcoming book: "Watercolor Made Easy: Portraits"

2011-06-20T16:55:00.000-07:00

Here's a sneak peak into project one of "Watercolor Made Easy: Portraits", a how-to book for anyone who wants to learn how to paint portraits in watercolor. Each of the ten projects has a step-by-step progression from photograph and sketch to final portrait. Only nine more to go!

Watercolor Workshops

2011-05-31T07:21:00.000-07:00

I recently had the pleasure of teaching a wonderful group of artists at a watercolor workshop called "Creating Expressive, Contemporary Portraits in Watercolor". It was one of those

days when everything clicked and the artists were motivated and enthusiastic. Before we knew it, it was time to pack up and go home.

I always learn so much at my workshops, maybe as much as my students!

UPCOMING WORKSHOP IN OHIO
I will be teaching a new watercolor workshop, this time in Mansfield, Ohio. It will be held on Saturday, July 9 from 9-4 and the focus will be on pet portraits. For more information, you can click on the image below and print it out.

Opening Night for "Beauty. Strength. Reflection"

2011-04-02T13:33:00.000-07:00

What fun! After months of planning, meeting, painting, and framing, our group show finally came to fruition. We started off by cracking open a bottle of champagne. Before we knew it, the gallery was packed with family, friends, supporters, collectors and artists. I teetered around on high heels for 5 hours until finally crying "uncle" and slipping into something a bit more comfortable. Definitely will never be a girly girl.

At the end of the night, there was a great sense of accomplishment by all members of the group. I was also happy to find out I had sold a painting.

The show runs until April 30. The Cultural District's Gallery Crawl will be Friday, April 29.

"Beauty. Strength. Reflection" Opening Reception Tonight!

2011-04-01T04:39:00.000-07:00

After two full days of hanging, "Beauty. Strength. Reflection" is up! The opening reception is tonight at Shaw Galleries, 805 Liberty Avenue, Cultural District from 5:30 to 9 pm. Here is a sneak peak of some of the paintings.

The focal point of the show is a 5-piece collaborative of paintings titled "Dressing Matters" (above). Each artist has taken one moment of the dressing process and portrayed it in her own unique style and medium. A mirror appears in each painting as if to react to the image it is reflecting.

There are close to 50 original paintings in the show, as well as smaller, matted mixed-media paintings and reproductions in the print displays.

(Below) A few walls of the gallery as we hung the show.

New Commission Painting, "Mother and Son"

2011-03-27T17:15:00.000-07:00

The client's wish was to create a portrait of her and her son that would convey her deep love for him. Being a squirmy, inquisitive 7-month-old made the photography challenging, so I combined several photos to create this pose.

The client and her son were a joy to work with. Each time I visited them, he had learned a new baby trick, and he was walking when I delivered the final painting. It was such a satisfying experience to be able create this intimate moment between a mother and son.

Beauty Strength Reflection: Five Perspectives on The Female Form

2011-03-06T08:53:00.000-08:00

Paintings are finished! Now on to the nitty gritty of an exhibition: planning; promotion; details; with a little worry thrown in. Are the dates right on the postcards? Did I remember to invite everyone? Will I have the work framed in time? What about the opening reception?

It's all part of the excitement and flurry associated with exhibiting your work. Luckily for me, I am part of a fantastic group of dynamic, talented women. We have had so much fun getting together to plan the show; and many late nights at the Naked Grape. It has been so rewarding to see all the pieces fall together.

If you are in Pittsburgh, I hope you will join us for the opening reception on Friday, April 1st or the Gallery Crawl on Friday, April 29, both from 5:30-9 pm.

The show is at Shaw Galleries, 805 Liberty Avenue, in the heart of the Cultural District and runs through April 30.

Re-working a Boring Painting

2011-03-04T08:01:00.000-08:00

It happens. You start out with lots of thumbnails, a careful design, and a plan to create the best watercolor known to man. Then, wow, you think...this is a boring painting.

In the case of "Gar May Market", I started at a demo for an art group. I usually don't create my best work at demos since I am there to show the artists something they are interested in seeing, a particular technique or area of the face.

As the painting progressed, I found myself losing interest. Why? Because I lost sight of my original intention--to create a painting of a woman at a Chinatown market; a place where she was comfortable and familiar on a sunny morning. What I had created instead was a rather generic portrait of an Asian woman.

I thought about ditching the painting and moving on to something else, but wait, that's when it gets fun. I had nothing to lose by jumping in and making a few changes.

I reworked the background several times until I ended up with, what I think, is a more interesting painting.

New Watercolor, "Steppin' Out"

2011-03-01T08:35:00.000-08:00

"Steppin Out", watercolor 21 x 13"

I'm scrambling to finish up three more paintings for "Beauty. Strength. Reflection" a group show featuring five perspectives on the female form. I find beauty, not just in the traditional notion, but in all sorts of shapes, sizes and attitudes of ordinary people. The show will include a variety of women from all walks of life. The othe four artists participating in the show are Christine Swann, Claire Hardy, Barbara Kern-Bush, and Jeannie McGuire.

The exhibition, which will be held at Shaw Galleries, will run April 1-30. The opening reception will be Friday, April 1st from 5:30 to 9 pm. It's free and open to the public, so I hope to see you there!

Shaw Galleries is located in the heart of the Cultural District and our show will be part of the Spring Gallery Crawl on Friday, April 15th.

Upcoming Portrait Painting Workshop Scheduled for May

2011-01-26T07:11:00.000-08:00

I will be teaching an all-day watercolor portrait workshop on Saturday, May 14 from 9 to 3 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper Saint Clair, Pa. The cost is $50 per person.

If you are interested in attending, you may want to sign up soon. The maximum for this class will be 15 participants. Last May, we filled the class quickly and had 10 people on a waiting list.

Below is a flyter containing details and a sign up form.

Latest watercolor commission, "Langley"

2011-01-15T04:54:00.000-08:00

Langley, watercolor, 17 x 22"

I've been knee-deep in commissions this past month. One down, and three to go. I don't often show an open mouth and teeth in portraits, but Langley always has a big smile on her face and her personality radiates joy. She was a pleasure to work with and this pose, which is a combination of several photos, portrays her sunny disposition best.

New watercolor painting, "Disquiet"

2011-01-05T05:10:00.000-08:00

This is the newest painting for an upcoming group show called, "Beauty. Strength. Reflection." The show will run during April at Shaw Galleries, located in heart of Downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District during the Spring Gallery Crawl. The other 4 women in the show are incredibly talented figure and portait artists, all working in different styles and/or media. It promises to be an exciting show. Now back to work!