SHINY and NEW(ly Wed)

Mr. & Mrs. Minks
11" x 14" Acrylic
© Laura DeDonato


I am so excited to finally post my latest portrait commission! I just received confirmation that the newlyweds received their portrait this afternoon.

A portrait this size usually takes me a couple months, which involves a lot of staring at photograph references and bringing out the features that capture their essence. (It's rare that I get a sitting with the subjects I'm painting.) Everyone knows the saying that the "eyes are the windows to the soul," and I believe it. After staring at people's eyes for months, they tell me a lot. Mercedes and Jeremy both have these amazing, sparkling blue eyes that were a lot of fun to paint. More importantly, their eyes are always beaming with love whenever they're together. It was crucial that I captured this. I also have to point out that I had a a great time with the textures of Mercedes velvet jacket and stunning hair.

Congratulations and wishing you the best for a beautiful lifetime together!

A wedding in Mexico

Every painting has to start somewhere. This is a "color blocked" sketch for a commissioned wedding portrait. I start of with a sketch and then block in the shapes with a solid color. Sometimes the sketch shows through and adds some texture and value. It's nice to be working on a painting of somewhere warm and sunny. It helps me forget about all the snow outside, with more on the way.

Confession: I have a weakness for frosting!

I just got the go ahead for my SCM Transportation birthday card illustration! I am very excited about painting cake, or at least a van that looks like cake. I might just have to bake some reference and late night inspiration :-)

This is the concept thumbnail they chose:

Here are some of the other submitted thumbnails:



P.S. I am anxiously waiting to post my most recent portrait piece, but I have to wait until the newlywed couple receives it! I can't wait!!

Round one...

Here is the first round of logos for AMCOM. Pretty straight forward with basic requested fonts and text. The client also wanted to do some funny versions just for the office, in the right column.