I started this painting from life in a workshop from Chris Saper, author of Painting Beautiful Skin Tones and painter of such VIP’s as former US Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano. I learned in-depth about color temperature while mixing oil to match complexion. This picture features Genai Silver Wolfe, a vibrant woman of Mexican and Apache descent who had a golden glow to complement her silver hair. The cool light shining on her creates warm shadows on her skin. She told me the turtle necklace she was wearing meant everything to her. Instead of making a stroke to connect the stone and chord, I let the viewer’s mind connect the two elements.

​

I was more focused on learning temperatures in this class, than I was concerned with capturing Genai’s likeness. She had facial tattoos which I didn’t attempt to paint in. Later, several people told me, “Hey, that’s Silver Wolfe!” If I had realized that she was something of a local celebrity, I would have focused more on her unique characteristics. As it stands, the portrait is more a classical version of her.

 

“Timeless…” – Chariese Hammer, Owner of Photos by RED