I’ve completed Jerry’s portrait and received the proof approval from my client, so this piece is now officially complete!

Much has changed since my last update, I’ve blended a medium tone over his whole face, then lightened and deepened further to get those final details. It’s turned into a very artistic yet lifelike rendering that I’m pleased to sign my name to!

I’m still working on a few other projects as well, another drawing, an illustration - and two blog/site design clients to button up before Christmas. Can you believe how fast the days are going by?!

This post is from Leanne Wildermuth : Artist by Nature.

Jerry : Graphite Portrait Complete

I’m sharing a few stages of Jerry’s portrait with you today. Above, you can see I’ve already worked in his hair and have moved along to the left side of his face to work in the shadows. Initially, I’ll start with a medium value and work either lighter or darker depending on where I’m going in the portrait. I’m wearing a cut up sock (isn’t it cuuuuute) to keep the oils on my hands to myself and to prevent my wrist and hand from smearing the graphite.

Still working in facial features, darkening in the creases, browline, right eye.

Here I’ve got the portrait pretty well drawn in. I’ll go back with my eraser pencil (yes, it’s a pencil with eraser instead of lead, one of my favorite pencils!!) and also darken and lighten further. I’ll use my blender pencil (if there’s a cool pencil to be found, I’ve probably got one) to really give that depth and dimension to the finished portrait.

Overall, I’m very pleased with his portrait. It’s been a while since I’ve worked a two-legged creature (as June put it) and I rather enjoy the challenge!

This post is from Leanne Wildermuth : Artist by Nature.

Jerry : Graphite Portrait WIP 2, 3, 4

I’m working on this graphite portrait for a client for Christmas - he’s a handsome fella, isn’t he? This shot was taken on his wedding day, such a warm loving look on his face - of course he was sharing that look with his bride!

So far I’ve lightly penciled in his features and just started working on his hair. I’ll post more photos as I progress.

This post is from Leanne Wildermuth : Artist by Nature.

Jerry : Graphite Portrait

Here are the numbers/winners of these awesome Lee Jeans!!

12 : Taba
72 : Grace @ Sandier Pastures
81 : Mary Beth I
70 : Lady Lu
20 : Becky
17 : Mir
66 : MomW
91 : Charlotte (Life’s a Charm)
5 : Usedtobeme
61 : Patois

Congratulations!!!! I’ll be dropping you an e-mail to get your size, color preference and mailing address!!

Here are your choices:

The One True Fit premium bootcut comes in four different washes: Union Blue, Blackdigo, Shadow Blue, and Galaxy blue. Union and Blackdigo are darker and Shadow and Galaxy are more of what you think of when you think “blue jeans.” These are available in sizes from 2-16, short, medium or long. The plus size scale ranges from 16w to 26w, available in short or medium. For this jean, there is also a petite scale from 2-16.

Thanks to everyone for participating!

This post is from Leanne Wildermuth : Artist by Nature.

Lee Jeans : The Winners Are…

The ground was clear when we went to bed lastnight.

When we got up, we were covered in white stuff.
The black & white was still set on my camera, so I went with it.

Our snowman isn’t catching any flakes, but looks cool in B/W.

I liked the homey feeling of this shot. Nice big pine tree with branches weighted down by the snow, the dusting on the picket fence. I’m not one to be out in it, but it is beautiful and always has such a nostalgic feel to it when it’s freshly fallen and hasn’t been disrupted by man.

The holiday weekend is almost over, and then the Christmas rush begins. If all goes as planned, I’ll be finishing several projects this week!

I’ve also done pretty well on my Buy Handmade pledge, I went to the annual craft fair yesterday and found quite a few treasures, and I’m excited for my Handmade Gift Exchange to commence so I can send my partner their goodies. (Of course, it will include something hand made by me, too!)

This post is from Leanne Wildermuth : Artist by Nature.

Snow in B/W

This post is from Leanne Wildermuth : Artist by Nature.

Free Jeans & Gift Exchange

Today is a day that reminds us that we have much to be thankful for every other day of the year. We stuff ourselves with food and surround ourselves with family and friends, we smile, laugh, and enjoy each other in a way that causes us to look inside ourselves and aspire to be appreciative and thankful more often.

We take note of the wonderful lives we have, and the blessings that have been bestowed upon us that we might not have realized without this day. We’re reminded of the millions upon millions of people who have so much less, and are still thankful for what they do have.

Some of us even turn our heads upwards and we show our gratitude to a good, gracious God that provides us with all that we need, and everyone we love.

However you are spending your day, I hope you enjoy it. I pray it brings you warmth, love, and a satisfied appetite.

Much love to you today,

Me.

This post is from Leanne Wildermuth : Artist by Nature.

Let Us Give Thanks

(mostly fat free.)

2 c. unsifted flour
1 1/2 c. oats
3/4 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1 tbsp. brown sugar (for cranberry mixture)
1 c. butter (softened to room temp)
1 - 8oz. pkg fat free cream cheese, softened
1 - 14oz. can fat free sweetened condensed milk
1/4 c. Lemon Juice (from concentrate)
2 tbsp. cornstarch
1 - 16 oz. can whole berry cranberry sauce

Preheat oven to 350.

In large bowl, combine flour, oats, 3/4 c. sugar and butter - mix until crumbly.

Reserve 1-1/2 c. crumb mixture for topping.

Press remaining crumb mixture firmly on bottom of greased (cooking spray) 13×9 inch baking pan. Bake 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in sweetened condensed milk until smooth; stir in lemon juice.

In another small bowl, combine 1 tbsp. brown sugar and cornstarch. Stir in cranberry sauce. Mix well.

Spread cheese mixture evenly over crust. Spread Cranberry mixture over the cheese layer, and sprinkle remaining crumb mixture on top. Bake 40-50 minutes or until golden. Cool, chill. Best served chilled.

This post is from Leanne Wildermuth : Artist by Nature.

Cranberry Cheese Bars

Some of you may already know about my fascination with Johannes Vermeer’s Girl With a Pearl Earring. I even did a tribute to his painting a few years ago. There’s just something about the pose, the girl, the lighting, and the story that draws me into the painting.

Several weeks ago, I came upon a fortunate find - studio lighting. The good stuff. And a backdrop (that I used yesterday in my Girl and her Puppy photo shoot). I was able to pick it all up at an UNBELIEVABLE price, and by that I mean half the price of one brand new light, stand, and umbrella. I was finally able to set it up and try it out this weekend, and though I have a long way to go to get things perfect, I sure am having a lot of fun in the process already.

My cousin Emily was over yesterday, we had a bit of a bakeathon. We made an unhealthy assortment of goodies over the span of 7 hours, and when we were finished we played “dress up and pose”. Of course I really wanted to play with the dramatic side of things, so I posed her similarly to the Girl With a Pear Earring and the results were just gorgeous. Her eyes light up the same way, the same shade of green. The light bounced off of her earring just enough to notice - perfect. I had to share.

Then we had some play time, where I stood up on a chair over her and shot from overhead. This shot is among the favorites, as well:

She’s just adorable, and fun to shoot - and she’s offered to come over any time I want to try out new equipment. What more could a girl ask for?

I have a real live doll to dress up and photograph!

This post is from Leanne Wildermuth : Artist by Nature.

Girl With a (Diamond) Earring