child painting – Lauren Pretorius Art

Size: 12” x 12” Oil on 7/8″ Gallery Wrapped Linen Canvas
The original painting along with fine art prints will be available on Saturday, July 26th at 9:00 am CST

After the breakthrough I had last week painting my very first person, I couldn’t wait to start another. Something about stepping into the world of figures after so many years of still life painting unlocked a part of me I didn’t realize had been waiting.

This week’s piece features a young girl holding a sparrow in her hands, with soft golden backlighting. There’s a quietness to the moment, like the world is holding still with her. I leaned into loose brushstrokes and warm light, letting instinct lead more than precision.

I’m not sure where this path is headed yet, but I know I want to keep going. Figures, birds, small stories – I’m in.

View available original paintings and fine art prints in my → • Shop •

Size: 14” x 11” Oil on 7/8″ Gallery Wrapped Linen Canvas
The original painting along with fine art prints will be available on Saturday, July 19th at 9:00 am CST

After over 20 years of painting still lifes in oil, I realized I had never once painted a person. Not a single figure, not even a hand. I think I was always a little intimidated by it – so this week, I finally decided to challenge myself! This painting is my first attempt at capturing the human form – a quiet moment of a child reaching out to a butterfly. I wanted it to feel nostalgic, dreamlike, and full of that wide-eyed wonder we all start out with.

Be sure to check out the time-lapse process video on YouTube to watch it all come together!