Malia's Virtual Sketchbook: portraits

Showing posts with label portraits. Show all posts

Sunday, March 16, 2025

Los dos Kiseki (The Two Miracles) and Kiseki Show

One of the performers I'm following is "Kiseki Show" so I created this. It's also loosely inspired by The Two Fridas. Can you tell I like to couple and twin in portraits and art? I wonder why... well... can't get enough of it! Will link when available on my Etsy.

Kiseki Show is a cosplayer and stage performer. One outfit was their Shibuya Host outfit, the other was a Golden Angel. painting this was a good time.

Detail:

Saturday, March 15, 2025

Masao Noda Collections Complete

Wrapped up this collection this weekend

This is a follow up post to a previous in-progress blog.

There are a few other similar series in progress. Have at least 10 other artists I'd like to feature in a similar way.

Masao Noda, collection

Oil Portrait, 11 x 14

Oil on Canvas, 2025

Masao Noda, Black outline of graphite transfer sketchg

I was dreading doing the black outline digital manipulations but it was actually easier than I remember it.

Masao Noda at the Drums, Black Outline of Graphite Transfer Sketch

Special project coming up.

Try your hand at coloring it.

Detail of Oil Portrait:

Thursday, February 27, 2025

2/24/25 This weeks watercolors

"Malia's Liver" and Artist Portrait: Painter M. Autio

Detail: Malia's Liver

Needs some brightness/contrast adjustments, but you get the idea.

This painting features two of my favorite Daniel Smith granulating colors including lunar black and moonglow

About: I was inspired by the Golden Bomber music video "Maria's Liver" マリアの肝臓

I've dealt with some health issues that included my liver, so I was surprised to see a song with a funny title like that and it gave me a laugh. There's more to the story of this painting, but that will have to wait for another day.

Monday, February 17, 2025

JADE, X Japan, Music Video inspired Painting Process, Yoshiki 2011

Process for making the painting "JADE", inspired by an X-Japan Music Video

Painted with real jade pigment, from Seattle Based Daniel Smith Watercolors

ORIGINAL AND PRINTS AVAILABLE

Killer Queen, Freddy Mercury, Top of the Pops, Watercolor, 2019

Killer Queen, Freddy Mercury, Top of the Pops, Watercolor, 2019

Original In Private Collection, Oregon, Unavailable

PRINT AVAILABLE

It's pretty wild that Freddy was a lover of cats, and no sooner did I bring this portrait to my music group members home as a winter gift, the cat came over to greet the picture. I thought it was a funny little coincidence.

This is a much nicer version of the smaller version watercolor I posted a few years ago.

This portrait brings back bittersweet memories. I still love this song and performance to this day. The costume, the charisma, a lot about it. At the actual time I painted this I had some health struggles, but still working on this artwork was therapeutic.

I would say I didnt use transfer paper to block this one in, but I think I did. It helped me achieve nice lines on the hands and accessories.

-M.

Noda, Masao-san On the Pier

Social media can get a bad rap as being vapid and encouraging shallow communication.

However, I have found some enriching pen-friend type connections at Instagram. (@kawaiimautio)

Following regular posting about interests, I have come into contact with people around the world to communicate with regularly.

One correspondent, Masao Noda-san, a drummer based out of Yokohama, casually requested a portrait in 2023. Or maybe I offered to make one.

So we continued the tradition when I came into a little more time last fall and winter. I was able to start a mini series of watercolor, ink, and oil portraits.

As far as the art process, taking photos throughout the stages of painting has allowed me the perspective of being able to return to certain stages. From this perspective I can see the qualities and merits of each stage. It's excellent food for thought as I consider whether I want to try another composition again.

My current ceramics instructor insists "You need to know when to stop."

I agree. So I'll post a process progression of my watercolor portrait, Masao Noda at the Pier, c. 1986.

FINISHED PORTRAIT PRINTS AVAILABLE HERE:

FINISHED PORTRAIT:

PAINTING PROCESS:

Actually I'm really fond of this ethereal and partially complete stage.

I can start from a photo and use transfer paper to make an ititial sketch, and add embellishments as I wish. Any photo can become an adult coloring book of sorts.