"The Crowned Santos" 1 and 2

Two Christmases ago, a close friend of ours gave us a Santos*. She stands about 32" tall, is carved out of wood and has metal wings. She was bald so I had wrapped a sting of silver metal stars around her head. A few months ago I picked up a lovely crown at a wonderful Pasadena shop, "The Gold Bug" for her so now she indeed looks like a royal angel!

I decided I would do a portrait of her. As you probably know, I am not a portrait or figure painter but wanted to give it a try anyway. The first one, "Crowned Santos" wasn't too successful so I gave it another effort as "Crowned Santos 2". Either painting isn't one of my favorites but I'm happy to have given it a try anyway . . . twice!

*I Googled "Santos Angels" and found this link. This photo on the site is the exact angel that we have!

  

Left, "Crowned Santos", right, "Crowned Santos 2", 13"x13" each, watercolor,

(click on image to enlarge)