Figure Paintings | Frank Costantino

O-Bon Duo – watercolor figure painting

With striking traditional dress costumes from earlier eras, these two casual Japanese youngsters were colorfully contrasted celebrants for the annual summer O-Bon Festival in Kyoto.

Revisiting the Veil- After Sargent – watercolor figure painting

John Singer Sargent continues to inspire legions of painters, and his watercolors are just that for this artist. To better understand his techniques, I reversed this delicate image, interpreted and applied most of the palette that he had used, with some additional saturation on the rug and the lamp.

Taking an Artist’s Measure – en plein air watercolor figure painting

Expressive of an artist’s methods during an arts festival, the painting shows the juxtaposition of the artist intent on her work (which is outside the frame of the view), and collectors shaded under the canopy of the exhibition shed.

Olivia & Abby’s Climb – en plein air watercolor landscape painting with figures

Marblehead Light, one of the Town’s historic, iconic structures, is portrayed with a focus on only the lower entry portal and the tracery of the supporting pipes and cables with their strong cast shadows.

Windblown on Surfside – en plein air watercolor seascape beach scene painting by Frank Costantino.

A fun view of children and parent bathers enjoying the sun in different ways at Surfside’s vigorous shoreline. The upturned umbrella happened in an instant, and with the suggestive splashing of the surf, added a dimension of motion to an impression painted quickly without linework.

Lively Holliday Reception – watercolor painting commission for wedding

Salem MA With a prominent designated location on the hall’s balcony, I had an overview of the wedding reception and all the activity of the guests. The grandeur of the space, with its ornate chandelier, huge mirrors, and festive lighting, made for a...

Mum & Son Holliday – watercolor painting commission of figures dancing

Salem, MA Painting from a reception hall balcony, I had the ideal vantage point to observe guest’s activity. During the traditional feature dances of parents and family, Mother Holliday took to the floor in a jitterbug with her young son, moving to the...

Observant Wedding Relation – watercolor interior painting with figure

Salem, MA From the prominent location on a reception hall balcony, the spatial overview provided an ideal vantage point to capture guest’s activity. Near the end of the evening’s celebration, a dear family friend was sitting by himself, enjoying the music...

Ava – watercolor figure portrait painting

CRANFORD, NJ A live portrait demo of this young girl, Ava, was completed at the Artist Framer in Cranford NJ, during a week's plein air event sponsored by this Gallery. I happened to meet Ava while painting with Tony Conner at Sperry Park, and she came...

Blessed Brother Bill’s BBQ – watercolor figure painting

WINTHROP, MA Long overdue for realization, this view of Bill shows my youngest brother engaged in a favorite activity of barbecuing, amidst an aura of hazy smoke. He was grilling during a summer’s day in the backyard, and his presence evinces memories of...