Click on link to view the paintings
I hope it wasn't a Ledgie who painted these. They're terrible.
LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM/FLEETWOOD MAC: ANATOMY OF A PAINTING
Just recently finished an acrylic painting for a commission, a huge fan of Lindsey Buckingham from the supergroup, Fleetwood Mac. I think just about everyone knows that The Mac Rumors albumn sold like 30-40 million copies to date. It was the #1 selling albumn of all time prior to Michael Jackson’s Thriller, and I believe it still holds that #2 spot! The Mac and especially Lindsey and Stevie Nicks are my favorite artists, so this was a special project for me.
I’d like to show you the progression of the painting, Ive never taken pics of my work throughout, so this was interesting for me as well. I used several photographs of him to get the look I was going for, which was mid career, 80’s Lindsey. This below is my initial starting point, pretty basic and trying to get basic features, face shape etc.
Next I got some basic skin tones, and then did the eyes, which always makes it or breaks it for me. Almost always I work for a couple hours, stand back, or walk away, then realize where I am careening off the mountain so to speak. Its a slow process with portraits, every little detail, crease, line, shape matters when it is supposed to resemble someone.
I realized here that the nose was ALL wrong, so it had to go! This is what I like about acrylics vs. oil or pastels, they dry quick and can be painted over and over. I also was in love with these eyes, but they were NOT Lindsey’s eyes at all. I stood back and saw John Travolta or Rob Lowe (ha ha) and guess what ….the eyes had to go after all that work!!! I had to really let go of the jitters here, relax into the moment and once I found that place of being immersed into the photos I was working with it started to happen. The thing I find is that the MORE you sit quietly with something the more you feel it, understand it , and in essance become it.
Next step, narrow those eyes up, make em smaller, less hair…”and in the web that is my own…I begin again”
The eyes made a huge difference, though the brows and shadows arent right yet. I also worked on the face shape, chin and hair to give it life. Once I started to see the resemblence, I actually felt a physical change in my body, a knowing…something that is the greatest of feelings!
The final face…shadow and highlites added. The background done in purples and greens (very 80’s) Select lyrics added.
You’ve come a LONG way baby! Now how bout you “Lay you down in the tall grass and let me do my stuffff!”
All in all a fun project, with some frustrating moments for sure, but a challenge. I am a meticulous painter, this probably took about 7 hrs over several days to complete.
Any commissions you may have for your favorite icon, musician, or a personal portrait of a loved one or pet….please visit my online store (
http://www.dreamalittledesigns.etsy.com) or comment here at my blog and leave your contact info, so we can discuss your needs and order.
This 16×20 portrait is $75.oo including shipping in the usa.
http://dreamalittledesigns.wordpress...of-a-painting/