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| John, one of my brothers-in-law |
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| The sketch |
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| Yesterday's work/play |
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| This morning |
It is bucketing rain. I am sure Bruno is soaked by now [ it wasn't raining when I fed him breakfast ] or slimed with mud, head to tail. So considering all that, it's a perfect day to paint.
I've wanted to do a portrait of John for a long time, but basically I wasn't sure I could do a reasonable job of it. Well, enough of THAT attitude. My reasons for wanting to paint him - he's a good-looking man, he doesn't think I can do it, it's his birthday soon, and he just got a huge promotion with a new bank.
So here I am, trying new things. I am painting almost vertically on an easel. I am painting in a much looser style. I almost tried colors I don't normally use, like yellow ochre, but I thought that was going a bit too far; I'm staying with my transparent pigments. It's been exciting in a watercolory sort of way, watching the paints mingle in different ways on the easel. I almost had to force myself to use it [it's so unfamiliar ] but I'm hooked now. I picked up a MOST useful bit of information from a video clip of Paul McCormack on Jerry's Artarama; it's very important for portraits, I think. Make a color swatch of the mixes you will be using - light, mid, and dark values. Prepare the sample as you would for the portrait, so the whole piece painted with the light value, then glaze on the mid-range [ the local color ] and then the shadow color. Keep the swatch to test any other glazes you will need later on in the painting.
Anyway, I know the portrait looks rough right now, but I have great hopes for it! And as always, all comments and questions are most welcome.
Anyway, I know the portrait looks rough right now, but I have great hopes for it! And as always, all comments and questions are most welcome.
Wonderful start.....looking forward to seeing more.
ReplyDeleteLooking very good so far, it is so important to try new things. I always find when I challenge myself, I am pleasantly surprised with the results. Wendy from artbywendysblog.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteNieźle się zapowiada,poza tym masz przystojnego brata!:)
ReplyDeleteIt is looking good so far - and I have every confidence you will make a cracking portrait in time for his birthday - and leave your brother in law speechless! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat input! I will definitely check the demo out. Thank you for the hint.
ReplyDeleteJohn's portrait will be great success. You started right: the drawing is the first key to make the base for the delicious painting. Then the shadows. They are giving the perspective to the eye to read the face features (miss one and the face doesn't look right).
I wish you luck and patients; don't give up please. Remember if the edges will look too rough you can always use the Q-tip technique to smooth them out :)
Thank you,
Irina
Kathryn this looks fabulous! Not rough at all! I think you have the colors and light nailed right here. Can't wait to see the finish. :)
ReplyDeletebeautiful start!! seeing it develop is sooo interesting. the drawing is a finished portrait as well, beautifully done!
ReplyDeleteWonderful start as well as the hints to developing the colors you are using. Give yourself credit girl; this is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my blog today.
Your portrait is looking great.
ReplyDeleteWOW! It is looking fantastic already! His hair looks amazing! That is one area that I feel I struggle in.. It's hard, and you're doing great! Can't wait to see John progress!
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