Kelly's kids by Peter Nelson

A lovely portrait, beautiful detail in the hair and eyes. A smile is hard to achieve and make natural looking, you have perfected, well done.

Very impressive Peter, watercolour must be the hardest medium for portrait painting but you have mastered it superbly!

Very well done! I am really jealous of you. The chideren are looking and smiling at me! I wish I could do a painting like this

Lovely portrait Peter

Take my hat off to you - well painted portraits in most difficult of mediums and a great result

Oh wow, Peter, this is very commendable! What a wonderful trio. Your portraits are perfect. Not many people realise how difficult it is to work this subject in Watercolour!

Peter, have just come across your work. Love your detailed watercolours, just great. To get one character in a portrait in watercolour right is a challenge, to get three is even more challenging. You got it just right. Love the way you've used the colour in the little girl's hair. The different highlights created in watercolour like that is just perfect.

Thank you for your comment on Spitfire and Hurricane. I have just browsed your portfolio and I love your work in particular this portrait. You have done a wonderful job. To do one portrait in a composition is hard to do, three is brilliant. When painting children its difficult to achieve the softness of the skin, you have done this so well.

Hi Peter, 1.thanks for your comments on my work 2.honest, worthwhile criticism is difficult to come by and can be hard to take since I do not know you I'll comment on how I have got to where I am and perhaps you can take from that what will benefit you. On average I paint about 8-10 paintings a week in oil and watercolour. I spend approx 2hre max per work, most is under 40 x 50cm, few get exhibited or framed. I teach some workshops and I belong to 4 art groups. My blogsite has more about me and my work.ritterart.blogspot.com.au When painting look to exploit contrasts in colour, tone, edges, shapes etc. With portraits avoid smiles (they distort the face), look for the asymetries (eyes are not the same left to right and every person has different shaped eyes, ears are specific to each person as are noses, mouths etc. Accurate portraiture requires very hard, critical examination of every feature and exact placement. Colour is less important than value and tone. Use the background to either establish harmony or contrast or leave it out altogether; vary brushstrokes to place detail and hard edges at your focal point and blur the non important section of the work. I hope this helps - I don't want to overwhelm you or discourage - there is only one way to improve and that is miles on paper or canvas. Cheers