Playing With Softening

I tried to keep some of the features softer in this portrait. Just an experiment towards better things. Even though most of the features are softer I tried to keep a certain amount of focus on the eyes. 

I think I need to get myself involved in a critique group if I can find one. I get a little unsure whether or not things are actually working.

Oil on Canvas Paper - 11 x 14

Male Model with Dark Shadows

Hmmm. Too dark? Perhaps. 

I do like paintings that are rather dark sometimes, for their moodiness and drama. But somehow in my studio the shadow side didn't seem quite so dark. I know when you look at dark areas for a long time the iris of your eye will open wider, letting more light in. This will allow you to see things better even when it's dark. I think that may have been what was happening here. In an effort to create a strong shadow I think my peepers were fooling me. That's why the shadow side looks a bit extreme to me now and he kind of looks like he has a black eye. 

Anyway, another lesson learned. There are still things I like here. The handling of the mouth, and a couple of other things, so not a total failure.

Oil on Canvas Panel - 12 x 16

Also, I think if I were going to do this painting over I would probably do a horizontal crop, something like this.

I think this works better. Hey, photoshop does a lot, but it can't cut my panel down so it fits in a frame. ;-)

Ed's Granddaughter Redux

My simple aim in this blog is that of a way to catalogue my progress as a painter. So to that end I will post not just what I consider my best work, but also some stinkers as they transpire. I think that an honest representation looking back will give me the best chance of gauging how far I might come.

I wasn't especially happy with the first version of Ed's Granddaughter two posts back (haven't learned how to link yet) so I thought I'd try it again with a different approach. I usually like to paint as directly as I can, while the painting is still wet. But this time I thought I'd paint from a photograph I took at the model session and paint in glazes, allowing the painting to dry between sessions.

Obviously I still have a lot to learn when it comes to glazing, but it was a good experience. One I think I might try again in the future when the mood strikes or when it seems appropriate. Anyway, here's the latest version.

Oil on canvas panel - 12 x 16

Replacement Model

Our Friday model didn't show up, and so what do you do? You corral the nearest teen and tell him he can get paid for just siting there. A teenage dream job. This young fellow probably never made such easy money, but it was well earned as he did a great job.

The shadows in this portrait were the hardest. I think some people might balk at the color, but I think I like it. Shadow colors can be very hard to get just right. I'm not sure I've learned the secret, but I think if at least my values are close I can at least feel somewhat satisfied. As they say: Value does all the work, color gets all the credit.

Even though you might have thought it was a painting of a girl, in fact it was a young guy with rather fine features, and I think I actually caught a decent likeness.

Oil on Canvas - 12 x 16