Shinkasuru's Sketchbook

[Shinkasuru]

So I posted the work-in-progress shots, including the grayscale version of this piece in my introduction post. It's a painting I attempted of my niece. When it was in grayscale, I thought I was capturing her likeness, but I now see that I am really not even close. And that is okay. I have to get used to drawing and painting on a tablet and applying some of the same techniques I use traditionally, which I have not done much of so far (like measuring or sighting). Painting digitally is a whole new experience for me. For example, I did not begin this painting with a sketch. Rather, I started laying in some values in grayscale and built up the painting in layers. I understand this is a common approach for a painter, but for me this is all new. Normally I would not be painting a picture of my niece. I would just do a drawing in graphite or charcoal on paper. So I have to give myself some time to get used to the new medium; therefore, I am not too concerned with the likeness right now. I want to analyze the painting as a whole and see where I can improve.

That said, does anyone have any comments or suggestions? I'll tell you my approach with this painting: I began laying values in grayscale, using a hard elliptical brush. When I was satisfied with the values and forms, I added the base color by using a soft light blending mode. Then in normal mode, I started adding in some red tones, shadows, highlights, yellows, blues, etc.

I want to just finish up this painting because I tend to get bored with any art work I do if it drags on for too long. So I figure I if anyone has any feedback, I'll do another pass to add the final touches and then be done with it.

I have several other paintings I would like to move on to, but I feel this one needs a little more love before I put it to rest.