This is from a portrait that Cindy took of herself when we lived in Jax. I spent a few hours the other day setting up my desk to accomodate my computer and give me a place to paint. Too cold to paint outside. Pretty good light here, so I'm going to be churning these out.
It's nice, Roge. But don't really think it looks like Cindy but...maybe she looks different now with the Montana air instead of the Florida beach in her hair!!!! Still love that you are developing your talent!!
ReplyDeleteCan you show me the photo from which you worked? I think I remember seeing it but would like to see it again. My only concern with the painting is that her nose seems a bit left of center (viewers left).
ReplyDeleteEvery time I look at this (and all the others I work on), I see things which should be different. For instance, the upper left side of her face should be at a more rakish angle and both eyes should be slightly closer to the center. Getting the colors right is what I struggle with.
ReplyDeleteWhen we left Florida I had the background and basic shape painted. The other day I started and finished it in less than two hours. Is accuracy paramount? Or speed? Is it a combination? Is it a matter of personal perspective?
Color is a very (VERY) complex subject. There are all kinds of nuances and subtleties involved and the learning of color takes years of painting. I truly think that the best way to learn to paint is in monochrome until the student has become adept at accuracy, brushwork, composition, etc. and then to begin studying color by adding them one or two at a time. But that is not exciting to most beginners--kinda like learning scales on the piano when you want to be playing songs.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to do realistic portraits, I think accuracy is more important. And don't hesitate to use available tools--measure the features, use a grid or pie shaped sections to get them in the right place, draw the head shape and reference lines for the center of the features, etc, etc.
Speed is a personal matter--some people paint fast and some paint slow.
More later.
Looks more like her now that I see the pic..I think Phyl and you are right..about the eyes and nose though...But keep painting and showing us....It's neat..And also like hearing Phyl say about painting....it's always neat to learn about something even if I never plan to do it....
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