Artist Reply: Thank you! I loved the cute outfit she wore for her pose. I thought the sleeves would be tougher, but was able to get it. She was a wonderful subject to do.

Artist Reply: Thank you Dee!

Artist Reply: Thank you Jimmie! I don't have photoshop, but do use Painter Classic and PainterIX. Might get around to Photoshop one day. Would like to learn how to montage some photos, but for now, happy to keep learning how to paint with all the mediums and brushes in the software I have. It would be fun to see if I could get the same effects without all the tedious blending I do now. Still, I'll probably still do it all by hand forportraits, as I find it relaxing and so far, my hands can tolerate the work.

Artist Reply: Thank you Jimmie! I don't have photoshop, but do use Painter Classic and PainterIX. Might get around to Photoshop one day. Would like to learn how to montage some photos, but for now, happy to keep learning how to paint with all the mediums and brushes in the software I have. It would be fun to see if I could get the same effects without all the tedious blending I do now. Still, I'll probably still do it all by hand forportraits, as I find it relaxing and so far, my hands can tolerate the work.

Artist Reply: Thank you Jerry! Love your work!

Artist Reply: Thank you Cath!

Artist Reply: Thank you Michael! I taught myself to use the programs and dumb me, didnot even know you could manipulate when I started painting. I was just having so much fun with the wacom and my first software, Painter Classic, wasn't on line either to get infomation on how to use it. I'm glad, as it taught me to use the programs and my skills first and to develop them. I always seem to find the hardest way to do something, but, I like the results of my work. I so hate the speckling fuzzing look you find on some manipulated works. It drives me nuts if I try to short cut, so I just skip it. I've saved the manipulations for more fun and experimental work so far. It's a struggle for me to figure out the techniques. Thank you for your comments. I blend alot to smooth the mixed media and skin tones so the overlapping colors don't look so strok llike and smoother.

Artist Reply: Thank you Joke!

Artist Reply: THank you ANalua! I hadn't really done many portraits until I decided to focus on that area of my work. The kids were so cute and I wanted to do well for them, very motivating for me.

Artist Reply: Thank you so much! She shines with her lovely personality, always so skind, and friendly to others.

Artist Reply: Thank you, she was a work of joy to do.

Artist Reply: Thank you! She dressed up so prety on the day she knew I was going to take her photos for the portrait. I always let thenm look at the photos on my digital so they can give me feedback of what they like about each, favoite colors, etc. THey have seen other portraits I've done, so think it through before posing. Often their firends make them laugh being silly in the background, so I get a good real smie from them, and not a fake looking one.

Artist Reply: Thank you Emily!

Artist Reply: Thank you so much! I tend to see the beauty of a child, some make it so easy to do, and such a joy.

Artist Reply: Thank you Lucia! I do enjoy these works, more so, when I give the children them as a gift. It is a great self-esteem gift for them, and for me, well, I have to learn to paint more accurate. The children will be honest if they do not like a part. So far, only one asked for a redo. She wanted hers done without all her freckles so she could see what she looked like if she didn't have them. I am to please, and made her day.

Artist Reply: Thank you Nelly!

Artist Reply: Thank you Mark!