This one was a bit different as the painting itself was done as a commission. I was given the freedom to choose my subject but with certain specifications (namely “hot young woman”). I took the opportunity to combine “work” with weird internet project so headed off to Instagram.

I chose to paint Alina Baeva, she is stunningly beautiful and youthful and blonde and Russian and all of those things that women aspire to be and that men lust over (or so we’re told). And this is all very well and good but the classically pretty is not exactly my favourite type of face to paint (basically because it’s harder) so this was always going to be a challenge and especially so as the pressure of “the commission” was hanging over me.

Luckily “the commissioner” likes it so on that front I can breathe a sigh of relief but whether she will (or whether she’ll even acknowledge it) is an entirely different question.

So here is Alina in all her original blonde Russian barbie doll-y hashtag Selfie-ish glory:

And here is my take on her:

Now let’s see if she reacts although I won’t wait with bated breath. My expectations are low after osayo_osayo.

Update!

I very excitedly headed to Google Translate when I saw this but I needn’t have bothered. Turns out the Russian reaction translates as that old classic “Wow, thanks! (emoji)”

PART 2

In an exciting turn of events it transpires that I was actually concealing the full scope of my initial brief. DUN DUN DURRRR. I was initially commissioned to paint not one- but two paintings! Both of the same girl but one nice one and one… not so nice one.

Or, to use the original wording, one:

I didn’t question this brief by the way. Slightly odd? Yes. But right up my artistic alley? Definitely.

I think if I was a better person I probably wouldn’t tag Alina in Hashtag Selfie 10: Part 2 (in which my subject is intentionally made to look weird and sad). I am not a better person though and I am curious to see what happens so I am tagging her regardless.

Sorry Alina, if you have found this. In fact, I am so sorry that here is my apology in Russian:

жаль Алина

And here is why I am sorry:

Update:

She liked it.

Not a very climactic climax there but at least she’s not mortally offended.