Tag Archives: painting from life

A Second Smattering on Painting Technique

March 21, 2009 – 12:03 pm

The Beginning I was painting at Halcyon Coffee here in Austin on Monday.  The barristra was very interested, and asked me if I did an underpainting.  This made me stop and think about the actual process of the oil sketch.  I said, “well, no, not really”. I fumbled around for an explanation since I am […]

By Lavanna Martin | Posted in alla prima, art, drawing, figure painting, how to paint in oils, painting, painting people from life, painting technique, portrait sketch, underpainting | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (3)

I Painted These Lovers Under a Rusted Moon

January 17, 2009 – 6:30 pm

I know that it is very “poster-like”, but that is how it came together.  I painted this couple at Spider House.  They were so in love.  It made me happy.  The end.

By Lavanna Martin | Posted in alla prima, art, figure painting, oil painting, Oil Sketches Live at Coffee Houses, painting, painting live, painting people from life, portrait sketch | Also tagged , , , , , , | Comments (2)

I Painted Another Barristra at Pacha Coffee

January 5, 2009 – 8:53 pm
By Lavanna Martin | Posted in alla prima, art, Oil Sketches Live at Coffee Houses, painting live, painting people from life, portrait sketch, portraiture | Also tagged , , , , , , | Comments (2)

I Painted Fabi at Quack’s Coffee and Bakery

December 11, 2008 – 11:38 am

I was just sitting down to paint at Quack’s when I heard someone say, “Hey there”.  I didn’t know that someone was talking to me.  Then, I heard, “Hey, Mrs. Martin, it’s me Fabi.”  Oh, it was my lucky day!  Fabi is one of my daughter’s good friends (they have a girl band together), and […]

By Lavanna Martin | Posted in alla prima, art, oil painting, painting people from life, portrait sketch, portraiture | Also tagged , , , , , , | Comments (6)

I Painted this Portrait Sketch at Halcyon Coffee

November 17, 2008 – 1:41 am

She wore heavy-rimmed black reading glasses that she would take on and off as she worked.  I decided to paint her without the glasses.  As you know, I usually try and paint my subjects without them knowing it.  It’s a tricky business, because people move around a lot!

By Lavanna Martin | Posted in alla prima, art, oil painting, painting, portrait sketch, portraiture | Also tagged , , , , | Comments (11)

I Painted This Portrait Vignette at Epoch Coffee

November 11, 2008 – 6:55 pm

Surf’s Up and so is the collar!  He was at Epoch Coffee just long enough for me to paint a quick 6×9 portrait vignette.  When I do these quick vignettes, I always try and tone the canvas a bit to keep the painting from looking too flat.

By Lavanna Martin | Posted in alla prima, art, painting, painting technique, portrait sketch, portraiture | Also tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (6)

Portrait Vignette of Lacey at Cafe Caffeine

October 22, 2008 – 4:47 pm
By Lavanna Martin | Posted in alla prima, art, figure painting, oil painting, painting, portrait sketch, portraiture | Also tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (6)

Painting From Life at a Coffee House

October 9, 2008 – 6:11 pm

I painted this beautiful man from life at Spider House Coffee here in Austin, TX.  I loved his dreadlocks.  Painting from life is always tricky, because you don’t know how long people will stay, or stay put!   As an artist,  I never rely on photography, but paint the figure “live”. Here is another painting […]

By Lavanna Martin | Posted in alla prima, figure painting, painting, painting technique, portrait sketch, portraiture | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (12)

A Little Painting Morsel Before Bedtime

October 5, 2008 – 12:25 am

I just got back from Halcyon Coffee on Fourth Street.  I was there all day.  I pretty much sucked.  I will load up some of the stuff that I painted there tomorrow if I have the time.  Here is a morsel just for tonight.  This will lead to another discussion soon about painting with available, […]

By Lavanna Martin | Posted in alla prima, art, figure painting, painting, portrait sketch, portraiture, sketches | Also tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (4)

Painting by Bicycle

October 1, 2008 – 1:23 am

I just got back from painting at Halcyon Coffee House and Bar on Fourth Street, which is about 45 city blocks from my house.  It was a very easy ride with a lot of one-way streets after I entered the university area. I was more careful to pack my crate and balance it after falling […]

By Lavanna Martin | Posted in art, Oil Sketches Live at Coffee Houses, painting, sketches | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (4)