Bright Eyes

You manage to convey the softness of a childs mouth and their amazing eyes so well Thea. Gorgeous, another winning portrait.

Thank you, Val, and I am sorry to hear that you have had sad news. Sending my sympathies. Re the painting, I have just noticed that I haven't done a very good job of scanning it, or even getting it straight on my scanner - shoddy work on my part LOL! I haven't attempted a close up portrait before so I dived right in and had a go.

Thea, each one of your paintings gets better and better! This is just delightful - animated, vibrant and yet so so delicate, as a baby portrait should be. And you should not feel the need to apologise - the greatest gift of art is the ability to paint what touches us, and so the fact that you enjoy painting your grandchildren is both heartwarming and natural. It's what gives your paintings so much emotion and soul.

Well she looks great to me you do your watercolour portraits so well.I wouldn't know where to start. Do you paint them from photos or life?

Fantastic portrait Thea, difficult to achieve with watercolour, you are getting better and better and Tabitha is a beautiful girl with a lovely expression

Thank you very much Seok and Joy for such lovely comments. Joy, with a child of that age (or any age for that matter!) photos are really the only option as they can't keep still! However, as I really only paint my grandchildren, whom I see every day, their faces are so imprinted on my brain that I almost feel that I am doing the portraits from life. I look for the point in the portrait where I 'recognise' them, if you see what I mean. I couldn't do that if I was just doing a portrait of someone who I didn't know. I just love painting them as their expressions can be priceless.

Another lovely portrait Thea. Beautiful eyes and I like the way you've painted her top, just hinted at with a few loose brush strokes. I can't help mentioning also that my first grandchild should arrive any day now!

I truly believe that when you paint who or what you love it shows through, This is lovely Thea.

Another lovely portrait, Thea, in your usual unique and beautiful style.

Thea, before I saw the title, I was immediately thinking: ooooh those eyes!! This is so good, Thea. With every portrait you are better and better. The parts of the head that you painted tell us everything we need to know about that beautiful girl. Stunning!

Thank you so much Petra, Louise, William and Mia - so kind of you to have a look and take the time to comment. So much appreciated. Louise - how exciting - a first grandchild!! Do you know what it is yet? I can't believe how truly magical it has been having the four grandchildren and also living within spitting distance of them so I can be a big part of their lives. So different to having your own children (and dare I say much more fun!).

I love the mouth so well done!!

Thea, another beautiful portrait .I admire your skill at water colour . You are very talented.

Thea you are a natural portrait painter. Her features are so good and precise. You have caught her expression beautifully.

Lovely portrait Thea.

I really envy your ability to capture images of your grandchildren like that Thea, they are so much more personal than photographs and I'm sure will be treasured by your family.

Thank your so much Linda, Kate, Carole and Christine for your encouraging and lovely comments. I agree, Christine, about portraits being more personal than photos (although I have seen some terrific photo portraits in my time). I think when you paint a portrait you have a unique opportunity to say more about the person than just capturing a likeness. That is always my goal - although not sure though that I succeed that well as yet!

Fantastic Thea

Thanks, Larry. How's the painting going? Hope you are well.

Thankyou for answering my question Thea I know exactly what you mean about fidgety bums.

Really well done with this one Thea, the structure of her face is so beautifully described in your lovely style. Like the tonal work here too.

Thea...There is nothing left for me to say...and it is so clear that this was done with love! Wonderful work.

Beautiful. :)

Thank you so much Lesley, Ruth and Amanda for your kind comments. Lesley, I am getting to grips with the bone structure of a face as I go along so I am pleased if you think that I did it ok in this portrait. So thank you for that. Ruth, definitely done with love as I adore the little scrap!

Just catching up on your gallery thea - what beautiful eyes she has - stunning, I love the composition of this one and as always it is beautifully painted

You've caught the elusive intensity of the infant's eyes to perfection Thea. The eyes are the clinchers, and they're oh so hard to get right in watercolour.

i love this im trying to practice my face really good eyes