On day 3 I came with the goal to move on and try a different portrait then I had done the past 2 days. I choose to do an elderly gentleman with a sparkle in his eye. I felt I could learn skin tone, hair and glasses with this portrait.
Mary Helen's demo was on background and tips. She even gave us a hand out called Mary Helen's List. The list is random, but full of great advice.
My gentleman does not look stylized. I feel that his face has the feel of curves and skin tone is appropriate. Hair look like hair. The glasses are a little wonky, but you can tell they are on his face. The background is interesting. I am very happy on how the painting has turned out.
Now to apply everything I learned and do them on my own :)
Gaylynn
“The object of art is not to reproduce reality, but to create a reality of the same intensity.”
Alberto Giacometti -
Mary Helen's demo was on background and tips. She even gave us a hand out called Mary Helen's List. The list is random, but full of great advice.
- Dark behind light brings light forward
- When in doubt, bleed off
- Neutrals bring out the best in brights
- Cross the color wheel to get neutrals
- Value is the most important part in composition
- Paint what you know, or research
- Your painting is only as good as your drawing
- Balance your painting and counter balance it with color, value, shape, direction, volume and moxie (i.e. guts)
- Use uneven numbers in subject matter
- Layer as little as possible
- Don't over stir your colors
- Simplify!
- Don't fear extremes. EXPLORE!
- Try to paint EVERYDAY!
- Have a private place (even if it is a closet) to always have your painting gear ready
- Try wet on wet paper
- Try new colors
- Try large flat brushes
- Never put your subject dead center
- Use 2H pencil to draft your painting, but draw lightly
- Use a sot eraser (white plastic) to take away all un-necessary lines
- Explore - think outside of the box
- Really look at your environment both near and far
- Turn your painting upside down and look at your composition
- HAVE FUN!
So using my list I got to work and was amazed that I got the portrait almost finished. I have never worked so fast on any painting to date!
My gentleman does not look stylized. I feel that his face has the feel of curves and skin tone is appropriate. Hair look like hair. The glasses are a little wonky, but you can tell they are on his face. The background is interesting. I am very happy on how the painting has turned out.
Now to apply everything I learned and do them on my own :)
Gaylynn
“The object of art is not to reproduce reality, but to create a reality of the same intensity.”
Alberto Giacometti -
Comments
I think one of the things I really appreciate is the use of color ... it all comes together perfectly. Great job.