[Max]

As I read the tutorial of Robert Campus ( robcamp ) I wanted to try this technique.
And I think it came out very well.
Thank's to Robert.




reference picture

Don't be shy, point out all mistakes I have made.
Thank's
- max

[ September 20, 2002: Message edited by: Max Kulich ]

[AndyT]

You did a very good job!

I tried something...I just scaled your image!




I guess you should simplify more. And paint only what you see. There's no black border surrounding the pupil for example. Anyway, I could never come up with that quality.
[edit]D'oh! The animations are disturbing ... sorry![/edit]

[ September 20, 2002: Message edited by: AndyT ]

[JeP]

That's a beautiful head, but, if it has some realistic parts, some others are not, and this is a strange contrast.
For example, the eyes have a cartoon style (try to make them more grey, and with a colour less strong...)

The right part of the head is a bit odd.. I dont know why... perhaps because it has some relief that left part hasn't...

regarding to the reference, your head is longer.
last thing : represent more the edge of the jacket, because here we cant see why the part at the bottom of the head is black.

[Egg Beater]

I don't really have anything more to add, except that it's Nickelback, not Nickelbeck.

[dontfallin]

its kind of unique. surreal. it scares the hell out of me. heh.

[Max]

Thank's for the replies guys.

Andy: Thank you !! You are right. I just didn't see that. Hmmm, bad max.

JeP: Thank you very much. I absulutely agree with you. I'll try to fix that.

Egg Beater: Ahh, sorry. Didm't know that at all - I am not a real Nickelback fan - just found this image and thought...well could be a good practise making a copie of it.

dontfallin: Thank's

- max

[cptoonz]

Nice work, really. Kind of along the lines Andy spoke to, I think the center axis of his face might be a little off...ie, his chin seems to slip a little to our left. As far as the likeness goes he has a thinner face than what you have painted, per se. Great work on his nose and neck...they look very good. It might be you just want to put in a little more time and "elbow grease", if you will, on the eyes, ear and hair. Easier said than done, I can vouch for that Keep up the good work!

*Oh yes, thanks for the link to the tute!

[ September 21, 2002: Message edited by: cptoonz ]

[robcamp]

Max: I am happy I put that tutorial togheter, as it appears it inspired you to paint this picture.

I like your painting.

I want to offer you some of my thoughts on it:

As other artists pointed out, you have used black line drawings to shape out some of the features on the subject's face. Most of the time, doing that will make the final result look less realistic and less spontaneous.

In my tutorial, and I don't want to sound like the technique I explained there has to be considered the only one you should use (on the contrary, it is a technique that works for me at the moment), I had shown that when I move to the line drawing stage (the phase when I set the main features in place) I use a color slightly darker than the predominant skin tone, not black.

I too, used to sketch the subject with black ink on white paper... but the final result was never to my satistaction, when and if I wanted to achieve a realistic end result.

So, if you want to end up with a softer amd more nmatural look, my suggestion is to totally avoid using black lines to draw the main features of the face.

I want to point out something about the highlights on your picture now.
The eyes are usually the area where I add the most highlights, some subtle (like the small wet spot at the corner of the eyes) and some very bright, like the spot light on the pupil. In your image, the white part of the eye, is probably too bright. I have noticed that when I paint the white part of the eyes a little bit darker than they should be, they look more natural. But in order for this to work, you then have to add a tiny highlight to the corners and a brighter one on the pupils.
Also remember to show the general wetness of the eye, even the eyelids sometimes need a little brightening to show the reflection of light given by their slight wetness.

Another thing I like to do, to add a more natural feel, is to make the nose and cheekbone areas a bit more red than they should be (or appear to be) in the original subject. This is a trick that if done right (too much and the guy looks drunk!) makes the flesh tones comes to life.

The hair in your painting is mostly well done, I would just add a few highlights here and there to bring it up.

Roberto

[Max]

cptoonz: Yes, that thing with the face is the main problem - and not easy to fix.
Thank you. I love to hear that people like my paintings.


robcamp: I have to thank you thousands of times. The black lines ever were the bad parts in my paintings - but I never noticed them. You opened my eyes. I never will use them again - in portraits at least.
The highlight in the eyes: Yes, you are absolutely right. Of course I will fix that also.
And I must try the reddish color in the face like yoiu said - that's a good tipp.
The hair was the hardest part in this pic.
I spent at least 50% of the working time on it.
Maybe the highlight will make it look better.
Let's see.

You helped me very, very much.
Thank's for all.

- max