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In my figure class we have been exploring the idea that a portrait or figure painting should be more than a collection of features properly placed using correct values and pretty colors.    Painters are visual story tellers; all the elements that make up an artwork should support one idea to communicate to the viewer.  The narratives of the stories are varied and each artist has their own tale to tell.

The reference photo I used for Koala Games was a story waiting to be told.  The direct gaze and downturned head with the koala hat are an odd contrast that just begged to be painted but I was not sure how to approach it.   Recently my daughter and I read “The Hunger Games” a dark story about a dystopian world where teenagers from the lower class are chosen to fight to the death for the entertainment of the privileged few.   The heroine of the story fights for survival and the survival of those she loves.   There was the inspiration.    I liked the idea of the strong young female ready to take on adversity. 

I decided to use the bright pink heart from Terry Ludwig to tone the paper using as little pastel as possible so the pink would show through and it would feel like she is materializing out of the paper.  The off center placement of the figure was also used for this purpose.  The toned paper was the key to the painting.  Every decision was made in comparison to the the pink and I pulled the pallet of pastels before starting the painting.

I started off with a more detailed drawing than I typically do because I knew that I would not have much room for correction if I wanted the pink to show.

The relationship of the light edge of the hat to the dark of the background and hair set the key for the painting.

 Once those were placed I began to paint the face.  I had to focus on the form rather and keep the features soft.   I wanted the face to be the thickest area of pastel with very little of the wash showing through.  This would contrast it with the rest of the painting.

I decided to keep the background loose to play up the figure.  I also shifted her shoulder so she is leaning forward slightly.  After that I added the light on the edge of the hair and decided to call it finished. 

Koala Games is a story of a young woman ready to face the world with all of its challenges.