New Photograph, Watercolor Portrait of Steve McQueen

Barssel, 9 months ago

Steve McQueen is one of my favourite actors of all time…..............my Dad took me to see Bullit when I was about 12 and I looked for Steve McQueen movies from then on. This is a great likeness Barb, you have captured that sparkle in his eyes….........well done.

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Barssel’s comment, 9 months ago

Thanks so much, Adrian. You always make wonderful comments. Really such an interesting actor, I don’t think I’ve ever not loved one of his movies. Bullit a favorite, too. The Great Escape.Thomas Crown Affair. So many.

whisperingruth, 9 months ago

Oh Barbara….........fascinating portrait of Steve…........Great Escape is one of my all time favorite movies….......they just don’t make movies like that any more nor men like McQueen!! Truly wonderful art piece…........

photos40, 9 months ago

Just a beautiful portrait. Steve would have been very proud of this piece. My favorite was Wanted Dead or Alive.

CKEphotos, 9 months ago

Steve McQueen is so larger than life….. this portrait captures that essence of the man….. outstanding on so many levels…I love how you have portrayed this expression, especially his eyes, so full of life!

dairygirl08, 9 months ago

yet another fantastic portrait, you captured him very well

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to whisperingruth’s comment, 9 months ago

Ruth, thanks so much! Very fond of the man, wish we still had him around. Great Escape was terrific, I agree, think he did all his own stunts on the bike. Thanks for all you’ve said, XXOO

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to photos40’s comment, 9 months ago

Thank you, photos40, very kind. That was a terrific series, he was made for speed and gunslinging.

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to CKEphotos’s comment, 9 months ago

Thanks so much, CKEphotos, I agree. That wonderful simmering quality, the danger to him was riveting. Your complement is very kind, glad you like the portrait.

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to dairygirl08’s comment, 9 months ago

Much appreciated, dairygirl. I figured I owed you all some contemporaries (almost, by a few decades anyway). You work on these things until you see a familiar expression looking back. Some of the detail’s lost in my bad photography, I need to get a digital camera that works!

blamo, 9 months ago

another supreme actor tremendous style you have ….........

Sande Elkins, 9 months ago

You capture something very personal in your portraits, such depth of spirit. It’s like looking into the face of an old friend. Dead too soon, this one. I’ve often wondered what amazing roles he might have played in old age if he’d made it that far. I always loved him because he looks just like my one and only older brother whom I always idolized.

MinoYasue, 9 months ago

He was such great actor; it is so sad he had to go so early. The drama within this image is so impacting as to illustrate his traded fate.

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to blamo’s comment, 9 months ago

Thank you blamo! Very kind of you.

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Sande Elkins’s comment, 9 months ago

How lovely of you to say, Sande, thank you so much. I feel the same, wish he were still here because he’d only have gotten better and better. You’re a superb portraitist, your praise means a lot.
But to the real point, I want ot meet your brother. I idolize him already.

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to MinoYasue’s comment, 9 months ago

Thank you Yasue, for all you said. Very dramatic guy indeed, and that wonderful kind of about-to-erupt volcanic quality to him. I appreciate your comments so much.

Jeff Burns, 9 months ago

gorgeous work its beautiful

pjm123, 9 months ago

nice work Barbara :) what a cool dude… a really lovable rogue and fine actor, and probably responsable for making every guy want a Ford Mustang GT Fastback!!!

Barbara Sparhawk, 9 months ago

Thanks so much Jeff! Much appreciated.
And pjm123, thank you so much.
And I see I finally did something for the guys, too! Very cool dude, and I’m sure you’re right about the Ford Mustang GT Fastback, sure sound right to me.

Antanas, 9 months ago

great portrait, perfectly done

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Antanas’s comment, 9 months ago

Thanks so much, Antanas.

bites, 9 months ago

wow! Your watercolour work is stunning! this is beyond excellent!!

Barbara Sparhawk, 9 months ago

Dear bites, many thanks. I never used water color much like it’s intended, I don’t have the patience I think for leaving blank spaces and exquisite washes so I tend to use it more like fast drying oil paint. I’m so glad you like this.

David Parkin, 8 months ago

Wow,eeeeeeeee …...... this is just brilliant.

You are a very talented artist.

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to David Parkin’s comment, 8 months ago

Thank you David! Your kindness much appreciated, so glad you like the portrait.

Rosina Lamberti, 8 months ago

This is fantastic ,beautiful work.

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Rosina Lamberti’s comment, 8 months ago

Very kind of you to say, thanks Rosina, I’m so glad you like it.

mare, 8 months ago

You’ve got an awesome talent with those brushes, Barb!

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to mare’s comment, 8 months ago

Hello, Mare! Many thanks. Hope your own work and shows are going brilliantly!

Steven Sandner, 8 months ago

Cool work, thanks for sharing!

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Steven Sandner’s comment, 8 months ago

Thank you, Steven. Much appreciated.

Mark Gardner, 8 months ago

wow, wonderful capture of that o so expressive face, i have always admired him, he was a rebel off screen too, a real bike nut, fantastic work as always

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Mark Gardner’s comment, 8 months ago

McQueen really was such fun to watch in movies, wasn’t he. A teeming cauldron of emotions and you kind of held your breath to see when he’d explode, and at whom. Thanks, Mark, for all you wrote.

gladders, 8 months ago

I am glad you just commented on my photo because it reminded me of this remarkable portrait of Steve Mcqueen….wonderful stuf Barbara…..I cant stop whistleing the theme from Bullett

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to gladders’s comment, 8 months ago

I can’t remember the theme, but loved the movie so much. Thanks, Simon. I saw a picture of Alec Guinness the other day and started whistling Bridge on the River Kwai.

Holly Martinson, 8 months ago

I loved Steve McQueen and this portrait is fantastic.

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Holly Martinson’s comment, 8 months ago

Thank you so much, Holly.
Me too, I miss him. How great he’d be to watch on screen now.

DawsonImages, 8 months ago

You are gifted with portraits, nice!

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to DawsonImages’s comment, 8 months ago

Bless your heart, lovely of you to say, Dawson.

Scott Ruhs, 8 months ago

Excellent work the choice of colors help bring out his essence

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Scott Ruhs’s comment, 8 months ago

Much appreciated, Scott Ruhs. Thank you.

Julie Marks, 8 months ago

Brilliant portrait of a complicated, unique and exceptionally talented. You captured the pain and intensity of his explosive character that he portrayed on the screen and lived life to fullest despite harsh consequences. It was not only the that wanted that cool Mustang fastback. I loved the muscle cars of the 60’s. Now they have revived the Mustang, but like everything else those of us who came of age in the 60’s, nothing can be replicated during a cultural revolution that changed the life of all of us who shared the passion and rebelliousness of the counterculture. I wish more people had the passion and spirit of Steve McQueen and all of us who adored his powerful presence.

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Julie Marks’s comment, 8 months ago

Thank you so much, Julie. It was an interesting experience to paint him. Individuals who are so well known are a challenge to capture in a recognizeable way, and if they’re off too much, it’s such a let down to look at. I agree he was very complex, and of an unusual period when so much change was afoot in the generations after WW II. I’m so pleased that you like the portrait.

SNik, 8 months ago

lots of feel in here

Jean M. Laffitau, 8 months ago

Fantastic and strong portrait!

MaryMackey, 8 months ago

Wow, amazing portrait! Beautiful job. You are very talented.

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to SNik’s comment, 8 months ago

Many thanks, SNik. It’s what I aim for.

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Jean M. Laffitau’s comment, 8 months ago

Thank you so much, Jean. I admired him so much.

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to MaryMackey’s comment, 8 months ago

I’m delighted that you found and like this portrait, Mary. Thanks so much for what you’ve said.

BarbBarcikKeith, 7 months ago

Yup.. Steve had a certain magic about him that MADE you watch his every move.. and he moved so well too.. you did him justice.. well done..

Helene Kippert, 7 months ago

You’ve captured that look so well – great work Barbara :o)

Matt Halls, 7 months ago

Excellent rendition of Steve, Barbara! Great art!

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Matt Halls’s comment, 7 months ago

Thanks so very much, Matt. I watched The Great Escape last night, and suddenly felt so proud I’d done his portrait.

Paul Scarsella, 7 months ago

Beautiful work Barbara – Steve was the ultimate actor back in the day!

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Paul Scarsella’s comment, 7 months ago

You’re right, Paul, he’s just so good. What a legacy he’s left us. He’s all quiet competance, and it’s wonderful to see. Many thanks for your complement.

photosan, 7 months ago

Johnny Uma….”The Rebel.”...what a great shot…

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to photosan’s comment, 7 months ago

Thanks so much, Larry. Much appreciated.

Jo Hoden, 7 months ago

What a wonderful painting of the “man”,its really fantastic

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Jo Hoden’s comment, 7 months ago

The kind of character that really defined America. Look at the idiots produced by Hollywood now. Thank you, Jo. I loved the guy, wish I’d met him.

apjenkins, 7 months ago

love this painting so full of life and looks like you too led an eventful life it has filled your work with real verve and vividness a pleasure to find your work

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to apjenkins’s comment, 7 months ago

Many thanks, apjenkins. I do like motion.

Abdelaziz Alsa..., 7 months ago

wonderful portrait … good job

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Abdelaziz Alsamahy’s comment, 7 months ago

Thank you very much, Abdelaziz. Great actor, one of my all time favorites. Your work is interesting to see.

David Harris, 6 months ago

You are so very good Barbara! What a gift you have!!

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to David Harris’s comment, 6 months ago

Like anything we are led to focus on, faces have always held such fascination for me. And learning how to achieve a particular expression has been a long exploration. You encourage me that I might be getting it right sometimes. Thanks, David.

Anthony Hedger, 3 months ago

a wonderful painting of a true actor

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Anthony Hedger’s comment, 3 months ago

Thank you Tony. I miss him too. I’m sure he’d still be nailing villains to the wall with that icy stare and getting all the girls of the next generations weak in the knees.

Alessandro Pinto, 3 months ago

Nice One.. l like Steve McQueen

Barbara Sparhawk in reply to Alessandro Pinto’s comment, 3 months ago

Very kind, thanks elbambino. Me too.