10-14-2018, 06:11 AM
darktiste: Thank you for your feedback, and the paintover. I don't recall what flow I used, but I thought I had opacity and flow at 100%. Admittedly, I did not know what i was doing. I am new to painting, and new to the digital medium. I think you are right about the lips. I believe I switched to a hard-edged brush at some point toward the end and then defined some details on the lips. I see how the painting looks inconsistent because of that. I do use the smudge tool and I like it a lot; however, I do not think I used it on this painting. Much thanks for your help.
Baldgate: I hadn't considered the colors on the faces looking muddy because of the dark background. If anything, I thought it might have been because I wasn't sure how to use the soft light blending mode, which is how I added the first layer of color. I went with the dark background so I can focus just on the face and show only a little of the hair through the highlights.
Would you say I have the same issue not switching the color temperature with the other paintings in my sketchbook, or just on this one? I admit I never studied painting and I don't know much about color, other than trying to feel it out and go with what I think looks best. I usually try to use analogous color schemes. Another thing I need to get used to is painting two dimensionally. Previously, I painted resin and latex heads using an airbrush. I realize that I cannot apply the same techniques in my two dimensional paintings. I will need to practice.
I am familiar with both of the books you mentioned, and I actually own James Gurney's book. Funny you should mention it. I just started browsing the book the other night. I will give it a read because I know I need a lot of practice with my painting and understanding of color theory.
I agree with you about using hard edges to achieve a more painterly style. I think I wanted the soft look on this piece for some reason, but mostly I am impressed with painterly works like those of Sargent.
Thank you for reminding me about better composition opportunities for portraits. I read about composition for portraits in a few books in the past. And I recall reading that it is better not to center a portrait right in middle of the canvas. I would be better framing it as you suggested or using the rule of thirds. I will keep this in mind for my next portrait. Thank you for your feedback. It is very insightful and helpful to me.
Baldgate: I hadn't considered the colors on the faces looking muddy because of the dark background. If anything, I thought it might have been because I wasn't sure how to use the soft light blending mode, which is how I added the first layer of color. I went with the dark background so I can focus just on the face and show only a little of the hair through the highlights.
Would you say I have the same issue not switching the color temperature with the other paintings in my sketchbook, or just on this one? I admit I never studied painting and I don't know much about color, other than trying to feel it out and go with what I think looks best. I usually try to use analogous color schemes. Another thing I need to get used to is painting two dimensionally. Previously, I painted resin and latex heads using an airbrush. I realize that I cannot apply the same techniques in my two dimensional paintings. I will need to practice.
I am familiar with both of the books you mentioned, and I actually own James Gurney's book. Funny you should mention it. I just started browsing the book the other night. I will give it a read because I know I need a lot of practice with my painting and understanding of color theory.
I agree with you about using hard edges to achieve a more painterly style. I think I wanted the soft look on this piece for some reason, but mostly I am impressed with painterly works like those of Sargent.
Thank you for reminding me about better composition opportunities for portraits. I read about composition for portraits in a few books in the past. And I recall reading that it is better not to center a portrait right in middle of the canvas. I would be better framing it as you suggested or using the rule of thirds. I will keep this in mind for my next portrait. Thank you for your feedback. It is very insightful and helpful to me.