Wednesday, December 16, 2009

DSFDF Year-End Portrait Assignment

Size: 5 x7 inches
Medium: Acrylic
Support: Ampersand Gessobord

This is my entry for the year-end portrait challenge hosted in the blog Different Strokes From Different Folks (DSFDF) by amazing artist Karin Jurick. I decided to participate this year because I had a great time last year and ended up with beautiful portraits of myself, which are on the wall of my studio and have given me a great joy throughout the year.

As you all know, I paint animals, not people. In fact, this is my first and last person portrait for the year. My inexperience in this field makes me very insecure and nervous. It took me a week to encourage myself to start the painting. Once started, it actually went smooth. I just hope that Edward would like it.

46 comments:

dominique eichi said...

Wow........... You did a fabulous job with Edward. He looks wonderful.
From now on you cannot say you are not an portrait artist !

Mona Diane Conner said...

Akiko, what a wonderful portrait of Ed! I agree with Dominique, you are a great portrait artist!

Alice Thompson said...

Marvelous portrait Akiko.

Unknown said...

You have no reason to feel insecure about your portrait work Akiko - this is truly fantastic and it is fascinating to see how versatile you are!!!!!

James Parker said...

When your thumbnail activity popped up in my sidebar with your DSFDF portrait...I immediately knew it was Ed B. Akiko...you did great!!! You have such incredible talent. I think you have the ability to excel in any phase of artwork...you certainly are a master in portraiture and wildlife realism. It may be paradoxical to say I'm floored and stand in awe at the same time, but I am and I do. Happy Holidays and drop by my blog for some egg nog.

Gail H. Ragsdale said...

OH WOW! Akiko, I don't think there isn't anything you can't paint well!!!

Debra Keirce said...

Akiko, I love this portrait. Your treatment of the texture in the straw hat is marvelous, and I really like the subtle color transitions you used on the face. You rock!

Angela Elledge said...

Hello Akiko, I think this may be my first time visiting your site. Beautiful work throughout your blog and wonderful portrait. You made me laugh when you said this was your first and last portrait of the year, hopefully you will do more. Mr. Burton will be proud of your beautiful accomplishment.

Sandrine said...

Akiko, you did it again. You always amaze me. The reason you don't feel comfortable with portraits is because you don't paint them very ofter, definitaly not because you don't have the skills. You're awesome. I love you're work.

Paintings by Irit Bourla said...

WOW!
A great job with Ed.
You are a great artist!
the straw hat is amazing!

Gwen Bell said...

Fantastic job, Akiko...I recognized him immediately! Although you say you were nervous, it certainly doesn't show in your work. Just beautiful! With your talent, I have no doubt that you can paint any subject you choose masterfully.

Dana Cooper said...

We all recognize this guy Akiko, great job! I'm sure he will love it!
You might want to consider more portraits, your work is stellar!

Amanda Lovett said...

Wonderful!! I love your eye for detail!!!! Just great!!

Unknown said...

Classic piece .

Edward Burton said...

You did an absolutely fantastic job with my portrait, Akiko - thank you! I'm still working on yours, but it will be finished soon.

Millie said...

Looking at this marvelous painting, it is hard to believe you even felt "nervous and insecure" painting it. It is a job well done, Akiko*clap*

Camille LaRue Olsen said...

Akiko, this is a huge success; I can't believe you had any qualms about doing it -- it's excellent!

Ann Rogers said...

An incredibly good portrait! Such marvelous detail, I'm sure we all recognized your artist right away. Also love your animal paintings, but you should not shy away from portraiture..you have a gift in both subjects!

adebanji said...

FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!

theresamillerwatercolors said...

beautiful, Akiko!

Karen Hargett said...

OM - this is wonderful! Outstanding. I certainly love your work. It's great.

Michelle said...

Amazing work Akiko...Edward looks very dapper!

Art By Erika said...

Bravo Akiko! You NEVER look inexperience you talented artist you! I knew who it was as soon as it loaded!

Pattie Wall said...

It is a great time seeing all the submissions in the portrait challenge. Yours is one of the 'golden' ones! Nice! Edward, I'm sure is very proud, first year, by Karin and second year, by you! Wow!

Peggy Montano & Paintings said...

Oh, I am very jealous! I wish my portrait work was this good!

Terri Buchholz said...

Splendiferous portrait!

Gary Keimig said...

very well done. I have such a time everytime I try acrylics but you have really nailed this one.

Claire Beadon Carnell said...

This is absolutely incredible. I am so impressed with the textures you were able to recreate so masterfully.

Marilyn M. King said...

LOL, I see that you lucked up again this year on a bit of facial "fur" to paint! Now that should have made you feel a bit more comfortable. Both portraits convey a very personal view allowing the soul to show through. You have a definite knack for portraits, something coming from your practiced, intense observation of animals, no doubt.

tracie brown said...

WOW!!!!! love it! I am a huge fan of realism and you nailed it. Great job. I, too, knew it was Edward right away. AWESOME.

labrown said...

Dang! This is awesome. Love, love love it! Great job from every angle. Take care, /Lee

Kari Tirrell said...

You did a great job on this, Akiko! I agree with the other comments - you ARE a portrait artist! Really nice work.

Carol Nelson said...

Akiko, your portrait is perfect. Your amazing eye for detail serves you well in painting people too.

Vern Schwarz said...

Akiko, this is another one of your cool cats, but without the fur. I know Ed loves it...and so do I.

Maria Kovalenko Leysens said...

Very nice job. I did mine in acrylic last year and am working with watercolor this year. Your work inspires me to go back to acrylic for awhile. Really nice work!

L.Holm said...

Oh, Akiko! This is fabulous!!! I recognized him right away, and you've done such a stunning portrait. Brava!

Carolina said...

You did such a good job!
I wanted to wish you happy holidays!!! Have a great time!
Carolina

Autumn Leaves said...

Akiko, I am sure Edward LOVES his portrait that you did! I knew who this was immediately so that says alot. Thanks to Edward, I have found your blog. His portrait of you is stunning too! Karin paired the two of you up perfectly!!

Dean Grey said...

Akiko!

Is there anything you can't do?!?!

This portrait turned out amazing!

Again, so much detail went into this and it's only 5" x 7"!

The colors look lively yet natural.

Do more!

-Dean

Dean H. said...

Your skill with your materials allows you to paint whatever subject matter you desire,Akiko! Excellent portrait of Edward.

James Parker said...

I doubt anyone would fail to recognize Ed from your portrait...in fact, it looks like he just stepped out of his blog onto your canvas in person. And, Akiko, if there is one artist I would feel that should never, ever, have any insecurity in their talent...it is you. You exude mastery in whatever art subject you pursue. The pairing of you and Ed as portrait exchanges has produced two works that are phenomenal...breath-taking. I am so impressed with you two, I blurbed and linked you both on my blog. Have a joyous Christmas and stop by for a bit of holiday cheer.

Mitzi Easley said...

Beautifully done Akiko. I believe you ARE a portrait artist! Lovely site and work.

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

Your portraits are fabulous. The feline ones, too.

c.gillespie said...

Akiko, I think you did a great job of painting Edward. Your animal and bird portraits are stunning.

Happy New Year!
Catherine

lilly piri said...

You should really paint people more often, you have such a great way of painting them. Your portrait from last year really stands out, too.

Sharon said...

Akiko, WOW...what a beautiful job you did on this years dsfdf portrait swap. I also enjoyed visiting your website and seeing the impressive amount of work you do! Happy New Year!

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