Buffalo

BUFFALO

30x40 Oil on Canvas

All rights reserved - Robin Wellner

It's been a long time since I've posted.  A tumultuous year of changes.  Spending as much time as I can working on my people paintings - tho this does not show that.  I decided to give myself this year to explore that.  Painting people was where I began and then went down a little different road with pet portraits.  I love painting period, so the pet portraits was not a detour.  More opportunity to paint.  I know I've said this before but it truly seems the more I learn, the more I need to learn!!

This Buffalo was done for a friend who's a massage therapist and the Buffalo is her totem.  Seems a symbol of tremendous power to me.  I undercoated the whole canvas with a metallic copper acrylic paint, then did a wash of the blue-green before I painted the buffalo.  It was one of those paintings that felt inspired.  LOVE it when that happens.

 www.petwhimsyportraits.com

www.robinwellnerportraits.com

Alan

Alan - 16x20 Oil on Canvas

All Rights Reserved- Robin Wellner

It's the New Year and I'm trying to challenge and expand myself as an artist.  Hoping to grow in my work with people - portraits and figures.  Realizing that I really need to work on my drawing skills - in addition to alot of other stuff!  It seems that the more I learn, the more I realize that I need to learn.  The mountain grows instead of getting smaller.

Enjoying having my daughter home for a little bit before she goes back to Colorado. Wish she lived closer but happy for her to do what she needs to do in her own growth.  All the best!

Happy New Year!

"Tater"

12x16 - Oil on Canvas

All Rights Reserved - Robin Wellner 2013

Sometimes paintings just come together easily and sometimes I struggle.  This was one that flowed - I think in part because he's such a cutie and it's a great photo!  

It's the new year and I'm exhausted from the last month.  Lost my Aunt Robin who I am named after and have been struggling to get back on track with some direction.  She was an incredible woman and I was blessed to have her a close part of my life the last five years.  I miss her.

I am very excited about working with my Portrait Society mentor Natalie Italiano.  She's already taught me tons with one phone call and presented me with some challenges that I hope I can meet.   The more I learn about portrait painting (people) the more I realize I don't know.  

Here's to lots of learning in 2013!

Brushstrokes

Nali

12x16- Oil on canvas

(C) Robin Wellner 2012

I know I have posted this on Facebook, but it is one of my favorites of late.  It has some of the looser brush style that I am aspiring to incorporate all the time.  Sometimes it seems to just happen -- love that when it does.  I'm hoping to achieve that as well in my people portraits.  I am honored and excited to be a protege for one of the Portrait Society of America's mentor this year.  That means I'll have a mentor help guide me in my portrait painting this year.  Can't wait!!!

Fossil Butte

Fossil Butte

16x20 - Oil on Canvas

(c) - Robin Wellner 2012

Lisa is a good friend and also my riding teacher -- and an incredible one at that!  She asked me to paint this scene from an old photo of her in her childhood.  She grew up in this area of Wyoming.  I gues riding from a youngster.  But I love this outfit-- chaps, hat, gun --- and such a serious face.  All business!  The original photo was a bit faded and quite small so I had to beef it up a bit.  Thanks Lisa -- for the opportunity and all the wonderful riding instructions --- and taking such good care of my boy Captain!!!

www.petwhimsyportraits.com

robinwellnerportraits.com

Tim

Tim Lemmond- 24x30 oil on linen

This was a labor of love.  This portrait is of a dear friend who passed away about a year and a half ago.  He was an amazing man and incredible musician.  My husband and Tim played music together. It's a portrait I've been wanting to do for a while.  The perfect opportunity was his Legacy Concert and CD release event.  Tim was a counselor who worked with foster children.  Part of his legacy is a scholarship for foster children who would like to pursue music.  The fund provides funds for music lessons for those children.

www.csarts.org/support-csa

This is the link for contributions.

Anyway -- It was definitely the most emotional portrait I've ever worked on.  I told his wife I often felt like Tim was there cheering me on.  Thanks Tim!  Love ya!  Rock on!!

http://www.petwhimsyportraits.com

http://robinwellnerportraits.com

Ellie - Oil- 18x18

All Rights Reserved-Robin Wellner

Been awhile since I've posted.  I've been painting lots of "presents" that I don't want to post until the person has had a chance to deliver the painting.  So at some point I'll have lots to post.

The other project I've been working on is a portrait of a good friend who passed away a year and 1/2 ago.  The onus of "getting it right" is a little overwhelming.  So overwhelming that I've started two paintings.  I have felt his presence with me though the whole time-- cheering me on and trying to get me to lighten up.  Hopefully I got the message!  Thanks Tim!

Skirt

Skirt - 24x30 - Oil on Canvas

All Rights Reserved - Robin Wellner

Been working on people lately more so than puppies. It a mixed bag -- I love it but I also feel so inept sometimes.  So many directions to go -- looking for a looser style - but wanting to maintain each person's essence.  I like this study -- not complete ---it's from life.  I'm finding that I have so much more energy and spark when I'm working from life.  There are so many more colors and nuances that I don't see in photos.  TO Life!!

Petwhimsyportraits.com

Robinwellnerportraits.com

Copyright - Robin Wellner 2012

Spent the morning doing the other thing I love-- painting people.  This is a sketch from a past session.  We have a "ladies" group and get together to share a model and paint for 3 hours.  It's wonderful.  No pressure of having a real client sitting there wondering what's taking so long!  Great opportunity to try new techniques and share ideas.  I've been using it as an opportunity to try Daniel Green's palette --- not only his colors but premixing lots of flesh tones. I'm excited about it but think I might adjust it some to my preferences.

Can you tell I love to paint!