I chose to do this portrait of a women named Eliza James, taken from a collection of photos by a black photographer named Richard Samuel Roberts in Columbia, SC. which were taken between 1920 - 1936. I appreciated her refined appearance. One of piety, dignity, and maturity. Acording to the book, She was the wife of a master brick-mason. The photographer shot a picture of her standing in her front yard among what appeared to be a small garden of Zinnia's .

The image below is the second phase of the painting.  I can't wait to work on the cameo! 

Mrs. Eliza James

This piece is a work in progress ; Approx. 24"x 28" Oil on Stretched Canvas.

 

I intend to push this portrait to a state of photo-realism. It is a challenge in which I hope to come away with a fuller understanding of the medium and it's extensive capabilities. I will explore advanced mixing and layering techniques; both opaque and translucent.