Sammy in Blue, 6 by 6 inches, oil on board

This is an unusual portrait for me in many ways. It’s very small, only 6 by 6 inches. The light source is very cool which isn’t my usual preference. But I loved the way the north lighting played on the child’s sun-deprived skin. I kept the colors much more toned down than I usually do too–it just seemed appropriate. One of the wonderful things about being human, is having free will! I enjoy the look of empowerment that children get when they realize they are free to exercise that will. I enjoy exercising that will as a painter. Why lock yourself down into a specific palette, technique, or methodology? I like having choices, and Sammy does too.

I stuck to a fairly limited palette using mostly Rublev oil colors adding touches of brighter colors only into the areas of the skin and hair illuminated by the cool light.