Tara 11 x 14 oil painting
Goodness, this one was a long time coming. This is my niece who got married last June in Jamaica.
I started this piece on June 17th of 2025 and finally finished it May 14th 2026. I had pieced together a few different photographs, and some of the background I had to just figure out without reference.
I would work on it for a few sessions, get excited about it, hit a snag, put it away for a couple months, and then try again.
I won't share all 16 steps but here are a few:
6-17-25
6-30-25
I wanted more ocean in the background.
7-28-25
This is where I was happy that the portrait part would work out. Like with the bridal portrait of my daughter that I posted in April, that's a pretty tiny face!
1-12-26
I wasn't liking the landscape area on the left so I painted most of it out. Also, started a bit of the greenery on the right.
2-23-26
Then, I went for a more dramatic sky.
There had been quite a few afternoon storms while we were there, so the choice was valid. haha!
After a few more months and more detail, I finished!
I'm always going to second guess myself on whether or not I should have darkened the sky.
Alas, the problems of being an artist.
Thanks for stopping by!
