"Gavin" in Unveiled at Christmas Party

It's always a fun time when we get the chance to "Unveil" a new painting.  Last night was an extra special occasion.  It was the annual Christmas Party of Jim and Bev Cosgrove at their beautiful home on Lake Conroe.  They are wonderful art patrons whose collection includes great pieces from the 1650's including the beautiful portrait of the mayor of Brugge over my left shoulder.  I modified my usual Venetian method to use the pigments and style of Vermeer in this painting to fit the Cosgrove's favorite period.  I was honored that they chose me to paint their grandsons Holy Communion portraits.  Previously I painted their oldest grandson "Owen".  

If you're interested in a commissioned portrait please contact me by clicking HERE!

Check out my website portraitsbyshep.com

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'38 Dubonnet in Grisaille

This is my other painting that will be in the Dutch Art Gallery, Masters of the Fall Art show in Dallas.  It is done in the style of Titian, the great Venetian painter who finished many paintings in the Grisaille stage, the Grey stage.  It is one of the beautiful cars that were featured in the Museum of Fine Arts Houston Auto Show.  It's 18" x 16", Framed, $495.
Click HERE to see Shep's Website

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Girl With A Pearl Earring by Shep after Vermeer

I'm Back...to Blogging!  We had the greatest summer in Cloudcroft, New Mexico and I've never painted more in my life...or better I hope.  This painting "The Girl with A Pearl Earring" was Vermeer's Master Piece.  I think it might be mine also.  This is a Master Study and to complete the painting was the hardest and most rewarding painting I've ever done.  I did it for the Master's of the Fall Art Show at the Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas.  From the very beginning I tried to walk in Vermeer's shoes.

I had great help all along the way.  Brittany, the manager of Jerry's Artarama in Austin was an invaluable help in getting the pigments right.  When Donna and I saw "Girl..." in The Hague the first thing that catches you by surprise is that the background is NOT black.  It's a beautiful Green.  Not just any green but a green made by mixing Indigo and "Weld".  What color is Weld?  It's a very transparent yellow and when mixed with transparent Indigo makes an amazing Glaze.  What colors did Brittany come up with to create Weld?  She's probably forgotten and I'm taking it to the grave.

Even after completion I had help...which led to me realizing I was not finished.  I sent a picture to Geoffrey Laurence, the great Santa Fe Artist and a dear friend.  Geoff sent back a critique with two pages, single spaced, of things I didn't quite have correct.  I'm eternally grateful to Geoff for pushing me to be a lot better.  Plus, when taking Geoff's class he will tell you to NEVER glaze with white, but in his critique he introduced me to a unique Vermeer secret, "Overall softness by Vermeer was achieved by putting a very thin scumble of white over all the parts that are in the light then carefully glazing very small amounts of colour over the top and modeling it".  Thanks Geoff!

Shep  
Click HERE to see Shep's Website

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Girl With A Pearl Earring by Shep after Vermeer

I'm Back...to Blogging!  We had the greatest summer in Cloudcroft, New Mexico and I've never painted more in my life...or better I hope.  This painting "The Girl with A Pearl Earring" was Vermeer's Master Piece.  I think it might be mine also.  This is a Master Study and to complete the painting was the hardest and most rewarding painting I've ever done.  From the very beginning I tried to walk in Vermeer's shoes.

I had great help all along the way.  Brittany, the manager of Jerry's Artarama in austin was an invaluable help in getting the pigments right.  When Donna and I saw "Girl..." in The Hague the first thing that catches you by surprise is that the background is NOT black.  It's a beautiful Green.  Not just any green but a green made by mixing Indigo and "Weld".  What color is Weld?  It's a very transparent yellow and when mixed with transparent Indigo makes an amazing Glaze.  What colors did Brittany come up with to create Weld?  She's probably forgotten and I'm taking it to the grave.

Even after completion I had help...which led to me realizing I was not finished.  I sent a picture to Geoffrey Laurence, the great Santa Fe Artist and a dear friend.  Geoff sent back a critique with two pages, single spaced, of things I didn't quite have correct.  I'm eternally grateful to Geoff for pushing me to be a lot better.  Plus, when taking Geoff's class he will tell you to NEVER glaze with white, but in his critique he introduced me to a unique Vermeer secret, "Overall softness by Vermeer was achieved by putting a very thin scumble of white over all the parts that are in the light then carefully glazing very small amounts of colour over the top and modeling it".  Thanks Geoff!

Shep  
Click HERE to see Shep's Website

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Look what Shep's been doing!

It's been a beautiful winter, so far, and I've been doing a lot of painting.  

This is "Stages of Life".  

It was painted from a photo I took in Cloudcroft, New Mexico.

It's 18" x 24", Oil on Canvas, Framed, $695.  

This painting will be available at the Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas.

To check out more of work please Click HERE!

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Shep Shows at Cloudcroft's "Mayfair"

It was a great weekend in the mountains of southern New Mexico for Shep at "Mayfair" in Cloudcroft, Shep's summer home.  The cool crisp air and bright sunshine were wonderful, and the sales were all appreciated.  It's always to find new homes for paintings where they will be loved and appreciated.

To check out Shep's website Please click HERE! 
To check on the availability of paintings in this picture Please email Shep at: portraitsbyshep@aol.com

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Shep Teaches Art at George Junior High

It was the most fun I've had in a long time to be asked by my long time friend Ron Abney to teach his Art Class at George Junior High in Rosenberg, Texas.  The kids were smart, talented, interested, and interesting.  I've always said that if you'd like to know something about a subject...try teaching that subject.  I'd like to amend that to say that if you'd REALLY like to know a WHOLE BUNCH about a subject...try teaching that subject to a Junior High Class.

To check out Shep's Website Please click HERE! 

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