In the Forest (Judd)

by Godfrey J. Ellis – Acrylic 16×20 July 2023

This young man did some work for me years ago before his LDS mission. He was marrying this sweet girl the next month and I painted this for them as their wedding present.

The challenge in this one was her mouth. It looks simple and straightforward but it has this impish peacefulness that was difficult to capture. His shirt was also a puzzle to solve.

Here is a photo of them opening their wedding present, the gift portrait. That’s followed by a photo of the painting at their reception.

Here are four photos of the painting as it took shape from partial sketch to close to the finish line: