Saturday, March 2, 2013

Deep in Thought

I took the reference picture for this pastel painting from morguefile.com that I found from visiting Linda Popple's wonderful blog. http://lindapopple.blogspot.com .  She was generous to post Morgue file which displays hundreds of free pictures that you can use.  I usually use my own photos but when I found this man's picture...Well, his face was SO full of emotion that I really needed to paint him.  The photo was in black and white so I painted it in sepia and added a little color.  I only wish I knew something about this man that I was able to  share with you.

Since I am the original dinosaur,  I don't know how to highlight so I hope you'll be able to find this site!!



148 comments:

  1. Absolutely beautiful Hilda! I've used morguefile photos before, it's a great resource. :) I really love this piece SO much. :)))

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    1. thank you for stopping by and for your very nice comment, CRYSTAL! morguefile has so many photos that I've been having a hard time finding the original photo of this man! I think they keep on adding new photos...Wonderful site.!

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  2. Love this Hilda! This is amazing.

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    1. thank you SO much MARGIE!! I appreciate your nice comment!! Glad you like it!!

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  3. This is absolutely moving.. Great work. There is so much in the eyes..

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    1. thank you PRABAL for your very generous comment! I appreciate it SO much!!!

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    1. Estoy muy contenta que te ha gustado esta pintura, OLGA!! Era una pieza diferente para mi...un abrazo

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  5. Muy bueno, así se hace si señora.
    Para mi, mirada y manos determinan el sentimiento puesto en la obra, sin pasar por alto el detallado trazo de la barba.
    GENIAL.

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    1. Muchisimas gracias EUSEBIO por tu comentario muy amable...lo agradezco tu visita!

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  6. Magnifico ritratto Hilda, mi incanta. Happy Sunday! Ciao.

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    1. thank you so much TITO for your comment!
      I enjoyed painting him so much! Glad you like him...hugs

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  7. Hi Hilda, What a fantastic portrait! - I've been away, ill, but am fine now and will try to get my show back on the road ASAP!

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    1. JOHN...I was wondering how you were! I'm so glad you're feeling better!! Thank you so much for your generous comment!

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  8. Fantástico retrato, Hilda. Cargado de expresividad. Enhorabuena.

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    1. Muchisimas gracias ANTONIO por tu comentario y tu visita!! Lo agradezco!!
      un abrazo

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  9. Wow Hilda:) This is so beautifully done. You captured the expression so well! That hand is perfect. Really great. And thank you for the tip on the Morgue site. How much inspiration I can get there! I'm already a member:)
    Wish you a lovely sunday:)Hugs!xx

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    1. thank you SO much RENATE! Your comment just put a smile to my face! Glad you visited Morgue site..so many wonderful
      reference photos to choose from ..hugs!

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  10. You did a beautiful job on this Hilda! And I am trying for the life of me to figure out where I have seen this same image before. I think I actually own a painting by Dean Haven with this same guy in it! LOL

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    1. thank you SHERRY for that wonderful comment!! I really wish I knew something about this man...who was he..and what WAS
      he thinking about? hmmmm!

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  11. Wow wat heb je dit mooi gedaan schitterend gewoon mijn complimenten lieve groetjes Danielle

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    1. thank you so much DANIELLE for stopping by and for your lovely comment!! I really appreciate your visit!!

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  12. Beautiful portrait Hilda! Great work

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    1. thank you so much eM for your visit and for your wonderful comment. I appreciate it so much!!!

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  13. Beautiful painting, Hilda. The shadows of the hat surrounding his face make a very dramatic composition. Great job on the hand! I try to avoid them. So well done!

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    1. thank you so much VIRGINIA for stopping by and for your very generous comment. I really enjoyed painting him...I love painting portraits and this one truly "called me"!! Your latest landscape is amazing!

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  14. It's a wonderful portrait,Hilda, I think one of the best you did. I like especially how you have resolved the face shadows.
    I'm going to see the site with photos.

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    1. thank you so much JULIAN!!!! Un comentario muy generoso y lo agradezco!!!
      I'm sure you will enjoy this site..so many photos to choose from.

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  15. que gran expresion y sensibilidad
    un saludo

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    1. Muchisimas gracias JOSE por un comentario muy amable..lo agradezco. Un abrazo

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  16. This is absolutely stunning Hilda, he looks so real, great expression and coloring ! One of my favorites !

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    1. Thank you so much JANE...you just made my day! I really loved painting him..

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  17. Deze is helemaal te gek zo knap vastgelegt.
    mooie uitdruking
    groetjes Marja

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    1. I appreciate your lovely comment! Have a wonderful day, MARJA!!!

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  18. Wonderful portrait Hilda!! His hand says so much--grat job.

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    1. I'm so glad you like this painting, STEPHANIE!! His hands were a bit challenging...but he was such a great subject!!! Enjoy the rest of your day!!

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  19. Impresionante, creo que este debe de figurar entre los retratos mejores que has hecho. Felicidades!

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    1. Muchisimas gracias TINA por una comentario tan generoso!! Lo agradezco..Era un placer pintando este hombre!! un abrazo!!!

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    1. thank you SO much MYRA for your very generous comment! I appreciate it!! Enjoy the rest of the Evening...

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  21. Wonderful rendition. The emotion in his hands and eyes is hard to resist.

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    1. thank you SO much LINDA for your visit and for your lovely comment. When I first saw the reference picture, I focused on his eyes....he looked sad and one can only wonder what kind of life he was living.. I'm so glad you liked him.

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  22. What a wonderful face. The eyes tell so much emotion and story. The leatherwork on the hat is spectacular. Your hand is very strong as well. No one who hasn't done a portrait can understand how difficult this was with all the elements.
    This was great to,see as I thought of you this morning. I changed out some pictures and looked at an old pastel and thought about posting and asking you to critique. I was to get back to the pastel and have my friend's dog to do but just don't have enough time and energy together right now, but this certainly inspires me,

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    1. I hope you do post your pastel painting, NELVIA! I would love to see it. I'm glad you stopped by and glad you like this portrait! Have a wonderful day!!

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  23. Wow, Hilda! I love the way you painted his face and hands. It is stunning!

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    1. thank you so much DARLA for that wonderful comment..you just made my day.!

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  24. Wow Hilda, you have a wonderful way of capturing expression. This one is profound. There is so much going on in his eyes, and you did a beautiful job on his hand. Simply Brilliant.

    All the best to you,
    Joan

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    1. Hi JOAN!! Thank you SO much for that very generous comment. I'm glad you like this portrait...after seeing his eyes in the reference photo...I knew I had to paint him.!

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  25. Hilda!
    You are a very talented artist!
    This painting is one of my favorite of my many favorites of yours!
    Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!
    (Now you may take a bow!)
    Fantastic! Wow!
    Your very happy art buddy!
    Michael

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    1. Thank you MICHAEL for your comment!!! You certainly know how to make someone feel good about their work! I appreciate it!

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  26. WOW! This is exceptional, Hilda. There is such emotion and expression in this portrait. Definitely a new favorite!!!

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    1. Hi CLAIRE, I'm SO glad you like this painting...I truly enjoyed painting this man!!! Enjoy the rest of the Evening!!

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  27. I'm late because I had my family at home,Dear Hilda...Wonderful portrait,great emotion and a bit of charming mistery.The classic sepia makes it a timeless MASTERPIECE.

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    1. thank you so much RITA..I hope you had a wonderful time with your family!!! I appreciate your very generous comment and
      I'm so glad you like it.

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  28. Wow! Hilda this is so wonderful - I actually think it's my favorite of yours to date - Absolutely beautiful! Such character in that face and his hands. Just amazing :0)
    Oh, and linking is easy once you know how (took me a while too). When you're creating your post, highlight the word that you want to attach a link to. Then when it's highlighted, move your cursor to the tool bar above and click on the word 'Link' in blue. That'll bring up a window. All you need to do is type in the address of the page you want to link it to (I use copy and paste for ease)and press ok. And when you publish that word will automatically be highlighted and clickable. I hope this helps :0)

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    1. thank you SO much SANDRA for your incredible comment. I'm so glad you like this one...his face was an Artists' dream... I was going to ask you how to highlight and "should have" before I posted...It sounds easy enough and I already copied this for future reference.!! Now we'll see if I can do it..LOL thanks again, my friend!!!

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  29. Hilda, this is a fascinating portrait. So much mystery involved along with the obvious emotion. The hand alone is a masterpiece!

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    1. what a nice comment, Carol!!! thank you so much for stopping by..I appreciate it!
      Enjoy this beautiful day!!

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    2. Es un retrato fabuloso, me gusta muchísimo, está cargado de expresividad tanto en el dibujo como en el color. Eres una gran artista.

      Un abrazo

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    3. muchisimas gracias, ROSA por una comentario muy generoso! Tu eres muy amable..lo agradezco!! un abrazo!

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  30. I really like your interpretation of this man, Hilda!! I did this same guy (same photo-from different site) in February 03, 2010 under the title of "Homeless".Check it out on my blog search.
    I went to MorgueFile,com but could not navigate searches there as I could on other free sites.

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  31. thank you so much DEAN for your very kind comment!! I am so amazed with your painting...you did an incredible job...definitely the same photo!! Now I don't have to wonder anymore!! He was a homeless man!!
    I love the way you used graphite pencil and pen.
    thanks for sharing this with me!!!

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  32. Grande ritratto!
    Una espressione e uno sguardo intensi è un bellissimo lavoro!!
    Complimenti!

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  33. thank you so much FRANZ! I'm so glad you like this portrait. I enjoyed painting this piece..
    Enjoy the rest of the Evening..

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  34. It is a stunning portrait, may be he is homeless, but I feel there is a deep spiritual aspect attached to his life.. Kind of the universe is his home.. Love this work Hilda!

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    1. thank you PADMAJA for stopping by and for your lovely comment. You're right! I see
      so much in his expression as well. Enjoy this beautiful day.!

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  35. Hola amiga, después de un tiempo sin poder comentar con problemas con mi ordenador, me ha encantado volver por tu blog.Un retrato precioso, esos ojos dicen tanto que impresionan.Enhorabuena.Besitos.

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    1. Hola CARMEN.. Lo agradezco tu visita y por tu comentario muy amable! Estoy contenta que tu problema con tu ordenador esta bien ..un saludo!!

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  36. OH MY! Hilda this is incredible! so strong and so beautifully done!

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    1. thank you so much SUZANNE!!! You just put a smile on my face! I really enjoyed painting him!! Enjoy your day!

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  37. You are an incredible pastel portrait artist!

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    1. thank you SO much LIZ! You just made my day!!! It makes it easier when you have that perfect subject!!

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  38. Hilda!!!!!
    What an interesting person!I'm still excited by your big big big talent!!!Amazing this portrait!!!
    I love you-)
    Christa

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    1. thank you SO much CHRISTA for such encouraging words. I appreciate it. Hugs!

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  40. Querida Hilda, me encantan tus retratos, este esta lleno de intensidad y de expresividad, así como muy buena técnica.
    Abrai

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    1. Muchisimas gracias por un comentario muy amable, AURORA!!! Lo agradezco!
      un abrazo...

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  41. Ciao Hilda,
    grande, grande espressione e grande mano, sia la tua che quella disegnata!!
    Ciao, ciao, abbracci, Floriana

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    1. thank you so much FLORIANA for such a nice comment!! I appreciate your visit!!
      hugs!

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  42. Oh WOW! Hilda you continue to amaze and delight my eyes.

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    1. thank you SO much JULIE!! You're so kind..I appreciate your comment!

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  43. What a great face and that hand is just super. Thanks for the reminder for that site, haven't been there in a long time.

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    1. I'm so glad you like him, BARBARA!! They keep adding photos to the site so there's always that special photo to choose from.
      Enjoy this wonderful day!

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  44. Wowzers! That is an incredible piece. I just love the detail. Amazing!

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    1. thank you so much HEATHER!! I really appreciate the Wowzer...you just made my day....!

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  45. Just excellent modeling of form and expression on this gorgeous portrait Hilda. Congrats on a marvelous piece!

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    1. thank you so much MARY!! I appreciate your very generous comment!! I truly enjoyed painting him!! Enjoy your day!

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  46. Wonderful work,Hilda! You captured his emotion and weathered hand. Just amazing!!

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    1. thank you so much CAROL for stopping by and for your lovely comment...I really appreciate it.!! Have a wonderful day.

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  47. Wow!!!! what a great picture to use and you painted it fabulously. you captured the expression perfectly. Love the hand and the eyes!

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    1. thank you MARIA for your beautiful comment. As a portrait artist you understand that when you get that perfect subject it makes it easier to paint! Glad you like it.!!

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  48. Lovely portrait, well done.
    Great!

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  49. thank you so much SERGIO...for such a nice comment..I appreciate you stopping by.

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  50. This is really outstanding, Hilda. I think it is the best piece you've ever painted!

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  51. I'm glad you stopped by and so happy you like this piece, DIANA! you really made my day with your comment!

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  52. I should not have missed this one, Hilda, its just you have tried something different this time; and succeeded so well!...Isn't it great when a good subject comes knocking on the door- I find this part the hardest; finding a good subject.This one is just perfect and I am quite impressed that you converted a gray scale picture into a colored drawing.

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    1. thank you so much ARTI..Glad you stopped by and so happy that you like him!! It is definitely wonderful when you find that perfect subject..I finally found the original picture with the name of the photographer who took this photo..and his name is BBoomerinDenial..the title was Pensive Homeless...Have a wonderful day!!

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  53. Wow, you have surpassed yourself, absolutely brilliant!

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    1. thank you SO much DIANA for that very generous comment! You just made my day..!

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  54. This is a masterpiece! Beautifully rendered!

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    1. thank you so much PAGE!! I really appreciate your comment...you've made my day! I enjoyed painting this..it was such a powerful picture..

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  55. Ma chère amie,
    Je suis heureuse aujourd'hui de venir faire "toc-toc" à votre porte et d'y découvrir une nouvelle oeuvre d'une grande qualité.
    Votre talent est grand.
    Il y a une grande profondeur dans le regard de ce personnage. Son âme est mis à nu...

    La semaine prochaine si vous allez visiter mon blog, vous y apercevrez, je ne vous le dévoile pas aujourd'hui, mais quelque chose qui va vous parler... Vous me direz !


    Je vous souhaite une journée de la femme joyeuse et pétillante, gros bisous.

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    1. thank you so much MARTINE for visiting and for your beautiful comment!! I cannot wait until next week for your new post...you have me very curious! Enjoy your weekend, my friend!!

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  56. I can readily see how you couldn't pass up the photo of this man. I can think of several scenarios of stories for this painting. Truly amazing personality (character) in his face, hands, and clothing. Bravo!

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    1. thank you so much CAROL!! You're so kind. Yes, I couldn't resist that face..so much personality, right? I truly enjoyed this one..thank you again!

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  57. Oh my gosh, this is so moving and SO well done! I love it! I know what you mean about seeing a photo and just feeling compelled to paint it... This is really awesome what you've created!

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  58. You just put a smile to my face, Katherine...thank you so much for that generous comment!! enjoy the rest of the weekend!!!

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  59. Gorgeous! Love his hand and expression - all the shadow is very striking.

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  60. thank you SO much KAREN for your wonderful comment!! I appreciate it so much..enjoy the rest of the weekend!

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  61. Gorgeous job on his expressive face and those hands. lol I'm a dinosaur too and don't know how to highlight.

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  62. thank you so much JOAN! I appreciate your comment! I'm glad to hear you're a dinosaur as well...I hate to feel I'm alone..LOL...I will try to do what Sandra Busby told me..I copied her notes and hopefully I will be able to follow them. It sounds easy enough..however!!
    Enjoy the rest of the Evening!!

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  63. I love all your portraits...but I am thinking this one is your absolute best! I love everything about it. The hand is really amazing. You knocked this wayyy out of the park!

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  64. I hope you know how happy you made me with your comment, CELESTE! Thank you so much!! Enjoy this beautiful day!!

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  65. Wow Hilda!! este retrato es espectacular, los detalles de sus manos son increíbles, me encanta! mil besos!

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  66. Muchisimas gracias, MARI por tu comentario muy generoso...estoy muy contenta que te ha gustado esta pintura ..un abrazo !!!

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  67. Oh my gracious Hilda...what a powerful portrait...his eyes are full of age and wisdom...his face and hands have see some weather and hard work in the sun. I can see why you had to paint this. Beautiful and stunning work!!!!

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  68. thank you so much LISA for stopping by and for leaving me such a nice comment. I really appreciate it! I truly enjoyed painting this portrait..I had that perfect reference picture we all look for! Enjoy your day!!!

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  69. Fabulous painting Hilda. You are a very talented lady. The eyes truely show this man's soul and the hands are so realistic. Beautiful subject.

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  70. thank you SO much for those encouraging words, LAURA! I really appreciate it...Enjoy your day!!

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  71. Una profunda y hermosa mirada... me gusta la luz sobre la nariz, los pómulos, las arruga bajo los ojos, unas tonalidades plenas de armonía que envuelven a este trabajo notable.
    Felicitaciones estimada Hilda.

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  72. Muchisimas gracias...Tu eres muy amable para darme un comentario tan generoso, RUBEN...Lo agradezco !! Un abrazo!

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  73. thank you so much KAREN for your lovely comment. I appreciate you stopping by!! Enjoy your day..!

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  74. Wow hilda, this is exceptional! I find myself compelled to look deep into his eyes and wonder just what he is mulling over so wistfully!

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  75. Glad you stopped by JERRY! thank you for that generous comment..I appreciate it so much!!

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  76. The sepia choice was inspired. What a wonderful painting you created.

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    1. thank you so much SHIRLEY!! I appreciate you stopping by and commenting.. Enjoy this beautiful day...

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  77. This very powerful piece carries a lot of weight. The image and the color choice leads the viewer to a place to question with need to understand more about this man...well done Hilda!

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    1. thank you so much DANA for stopping by and for your generous comment. Thanks to Dean H. I now know he was a homeless man..and I still wonder what he was thinking about ...Enjoy your day!

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  78. His eyes are deeply beautiful and carry stories from his heart..powerful piece..magnificent work!
    Victoria

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    1. thank you so much VICTORIA for such a kind comment! I appreciate you stopping by! Have a wonderful day!!

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  79. This is so well done! His eyes are so soulful! All of you portraits are lovely, I've missed seeing your work all these months!

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    1. thank you so much LORI for stopping by and for your comment!! I'm so glad you're back ! Enjoy your day!!

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  80. Good morning Hilda!... You have successfully transformed this piece into a deeply introspective and sensitive painting from the black and white mode.

    The eyes "are everything" in a portrait, I believe and this man's invite you to wonder... as you mention... and search your mind to provide deeper insights about the man.

    A great painting!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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    1. thank you BRUCE for stopping by and for your wonderful comment!! I think seeing his eyes was what enticed me to paint him!
      I'm so glad you liked him!! Have a great day!

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  81. Amazing Hilda! You really have captured a compelling personality. You could almost write his story yourself from the visual richness you've created.

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    1. thank you LORRAINE for such a nice comment! I'm so glad you like this portrait! Happy Spring!!!

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  82. Fantastic Hilda! What wonderful depth of expression you capture and his hands are amazing! So well done! And I would love to know his story...

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    1. thank you SO much CLAIRE for stopping by and for your generous comment!! I appreciate it. Knowing now, that he is a homeless man..I wonder how he is ..
      Happy Spring!! Hopefully the warmer weather will be here soon!

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  83. Hilda wonderful, I love, I think you've captured the character, perfectly and fantastic execution

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    1. Thank you so much PEPE for stopping by...I'm so glad you like this portrait...
      Enjoy this beautiful day!!

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  84. Hilda, you really captured this man's personality and expression and what an amazing job you did on his hand!! Really great painting!

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  85. thank you SO much THERESA! You're so nice to say that! I loved painting him...he had the face that we "have" to paint! Glad you liked him!!

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  86. Oh, Hilda, this is incredible- all of it but especially the hand! Well done!!!

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  87. Such a nice comment, MINNEMIE!!! Thank you so much!!!

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  88. The hand is outstanding. You really did a great job on this one.

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  89. thank you SO much ANGELA!! you're so kind..I appreciate you stopping by!!!

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