[bluetraveller]

HI. I have NEVER been able to figure out how to paint in acrylics or gouache however I've learned a little about Oils. Is the first two techniques very similar to oils? Oil painting requires many layers and relies on tonal painting. I don't know why I can't get the "hang" of gouache. Maybe that's why I'm having so much trouble "painting" with Photoshop.

Anyway, here's my finished oils of my friend. I'm not sure about the lightsource because this painting was painted from a tiny photo on a cloudy and dull day.

Any suggestions will be of help!



I sure hope you can see this picture! Hope this works.
_________________
"Oh what a tangled web we weave
When first we practise to deceive"

[bluetraveller]

sheesh...

try again!



sorry bout that!
_________________
"Oh what a tangled web we weave
When first we practise to deceive"

[bluetraveller]

So is this portrait SOOO BAAADDD as to be totally ignored? It sure feels like it...so this time, I would REALLY appreciate some C&C!

I've got the right attitude...just not sure what to do to fix the lighting and make the painting look "convincing".

Thanks in advance.
_________________
"Oh what a tangled web we weave
When first we practise to deceive"

[Nightwing]

I like the painting, but

I think you have to make brighter highlights and darker shadows so the painting gets more depth..

eg. the eyes should have some glistering (??) in it so I doesn't look so dull..


(i never painted with oils before, so be carefull if you take this advice)

[cobaltblue]

I think it's amazing! If you've only learned a couple of things and your paintings look like that I think your a natural and you should paint as much as you can:)
Good luck:)

[bluetraveller]

NightWing:

You are right. Now when i look at it, the tones really have to be modelled some more. It's so hard when something is backlit. I'll have to get my lamp out and tiny maquette for reference. I find painting skin with few pigments (she really is very pale in real life) to be very challenging. I'm thinking...maybe add somemore blue tones.

CobaltBlue:

THANKS so much!!! I've never really been good at any medium I"ve touched so for the first time in my life, I feel so SURPRISED! And yet....tenous and hesitant at the same time. Like I wonder if I can paint another picture the next time...do you know the feeling????

I don't know what that is: fear of failing? fear that it's a "fluke?" oh well....just gotta keep going.
Thanks. your comment REALLY really encouraged me today.
_________________
"Oh what a tangled web we weave
When first we practise to deceive"

[MadSamoan]

Try not to blend so much, instead lay down tiles or bands of intermediate color. Keep in mind that when you are trying to get the form to turn (curve), it's not just a matter of darkening your value, but there's also a slight color change as well. Often, right where your dark shadow pattern meets your light is where the most color in your image is located. Look at any photo and you'll see what I mean. You should also let there be a variety in edges ranging from lost edges, soft, firm, and crisp. You're also probably using black too often to darken the value and getting a dead mud color.

[v]

Hello,

First of all, you need to dedicate to painting, it will take a while to get the hang of it, but it's very rewarding. However, you're doing very well so far.

A couple of notes:

1. Nice use of color, you have more warmth in the cheeks and the skin-tone is pretty nice; if you blur your eyes a little you can see that you're not having much trouble there.

2. You're blending everything, I'm not saying it's a good or bad thing, i just want you to be aware that you have a choice in the matter.

You mention that it's based on "many layers and tonal painting", although this is a perfectly valid approach, you can however paint in one go using heavier paint. It's all a matter of preference (look at my website for an example of a style a bit more textured).

3. It doesn't matter what the picture looks like, because no one is ever going to look at the picture. I don't say this to make you feel bad, just so you know that you have much more freedom and that you should explore it.

Feel free to change the lighting a bit, think how the light would fall and wrap around the forms, or even just suggest these changes in lighting.

I do understand however that bad reference can work against you, try to find reference with more difference between the lights and the darks.

4. Don't shade with black. Again, don't shade with black. You've used black in the nose and eyesockets, what this does is make it look a bit dirty or muddy. Try to find a color in there, squint your eyes and if you don't see it, make it up!


Anyway, HTH and keep at it.

v
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http://www.illusionart.com/pi

[bluetraveller]

MadSamoan - thanks. I'm trying to figure out what you mean. I've been squinting and squinting and squinting...until.....YES! I do see one distinctive shade between two large areas of colour! wow!

V - wow! I just went to your webpage. I didn't really grasp what MS was saying until I saw your work. Where have you been all along! You're really a fanatastic painter with a terrific eye! In fact, I"m taking one of your paintings and seeing if I can duplicate it in photoshop.

Oh yes. The reason why i blended everything is because i'm not quite confident in using "bands of colour" yet.

8^)

-going to do my next one...and awoid black shading!
_________________
"Oh what a tangled web we weave
When first we practise to deceive"