[ValarianROOT]

This is a pic i started after i read the instructive and inspiring words of Tinusch and Herr Mullins in Gimbal8's thread asking for tips on keeping motivated. here is the thread. I started with medium-dark tone in the background and slowly worked up with darker tone, adding highlights to help keep the visualization going. Thanks for taking a peek and any comments or critiques are as always appreciated.

JN

[ValarianROOT]

A bit more work and I'm off to bed now.


JN

[specialbrew]

Very good composition, but watch the perspective on the chair... it's left hand arm should be more straight on to the viewer.

sb

[Anthony]

Hey there, improving all the time! Pick a light source, it'll help! You have the shapes fairly solid now, so start painting in the light :]

[Gimbal8]

Why is everyone else better then me at this? I know exactly what I'm supposed to be doing and I still can't to do it right. Enough of my whinning. Anyway -

It looks like you have the right approach. Btw, Have you seen Mikael's Goblin Tutorial?Just beware of "false accents". Oh Speaking of, If you haven't already go to www.goodbrush.com, click on "misc" and then on "painting information". There is a metric-buttload of good information contained in there. This one in particular I will always remember:

"As he painted it, the mouth bloomed out of the face, an integral part of it, not, as in the great majority of portraits, painted on it, a separate thing."

Just in reading that I understood what was being done. I could see it in my mind. Although I can't explain it fully in words it has affected the way I draw now. Not ever drawing a hard line to represent and edge but instead indicating where an edge is without having to draw it.

I've had great fun (and learned a lot at the same time) just trying to paint a mouth on a face. But that isn't the way I approached it. It was more like extruding the mouth from the face by trying to avoid painting the mouth at all costs (I know that must sound contradictory). Come to think of it, I don't think I have the words to explain what I mean so I'll just shut up now.

Anyhow, I'm glad to see other people are progressing and learning. It keeps me inspired to do the same.

[edit: I spel gewd]

[ February 06, 2002: Message edited by: Gimbal8 ]

[ValarianROOT]

Thanks Everyone:

specialbrew: Thanks for the headsup on the chair and arm. will work it out.

Anthony: Thank you, as always, I do the light thing. You helped a lot on the "StainedGlass" piece and hopefully I'll finish it soon. I'm working at refining my craft and technique before I go back and work on it again.

Gimbal8: thanks for the links, I'm sure they will be quite inciteful. I'm very interested to see what you're reffering to with the mouth. And I can completely empathize with your frustration about "knowing" how to do it and being able to exicute it. I think the solution is directly linked to drawing from life and regular practice (sketching). Once you know what to look for and commit it to phisical memory by seeing how the "trick" relates to how you see things you find that one day your just pulling it off and you don't even have to work at it any more. I know i grow leaps and bounds just from activelly sketching. So, I gues what i'm saying is it just takes time for some of us. Its Very rewarding when it does happen.

Thanks again, i'm off to sleep,

JN

[ValarianROOT]

he he how ironic... "I'm off to sleep."
i.e. below...

[ February 06, 2002: Message edited by: ValarianROOT ]

[ValarianROOT]

been a while since i've updated this thread. So just for those interested or willing to comment/critique, i have posted this. I've made the mistake (once again) of focusing on the face too soon, but i hope this doesn't distract me from the rest of the painting.



JN

[ValarianROOT]

If anyone would deem it possible to comment on the current itteration I would appreciate it, as always. Comments on perspective (what little there is), opassity/saturation of color compared to previous instances of this work, suggestions as to if it is a good idea to start in color or only in black and white, or just comments in general could really help me out. I like the way the face is turning out (render-wise), but I also like the feel of the more monochrom beginings. I have been told by friends that they like my 'gestural' drawings and paintings better, but i have had a tendancey to render things more in digital work.

So, these are just a few things I have had in mind while working on this painting.

Thanks,

JN

[Gimbal8]

Hey, I didn't know Cancer Man (X-Files) was an astronaut. Where is his cigarette?

I have a suggestion or two about the shadows. Try making the shadow darkest where the two planes meet and then get lighter (backlighting) as the shadow receeds (but never as light as what is in the light). The line where light and shadow meet on the right side (his right) of his face is what I'm referring to.

Also his left arm should cast a shadow not only on the arm of the chair but over his body as well.

I don't know what to tell you about colors or not. Not good in that area myself.

[ValarianROOT]

Yo, thanks Gimbal8. I'll work on ths shadow/planes thing, I've always strugled using color to paint plainar. Your suggestion helps me understand a lot better how it works, thanks a ton.

But don't mention cigs... I'm trying to quit... Its been like 10 days now... I'm a real arselok now.

JN

[ValarianROOT]

just an update...



JN