This was one of my first portrait paintings on canvas. I have always drawn peoples faces, but had never attempted to paint one. Not wanting to insult another person with an image that didn't please them, I chose to do a self-portrait. Then, I could only be mad at myself if I hadn't conveyed the image correctly.
Paintings have many "ugly" stages until you reach the "finished" piece and I thought I would share those different stages. If you have never painted, you might find this interesting.
In the first stage, the image is roughly drawn on, using a very liquid Raw Umber and a paint brush. I need the acrylic to stay wet while I'm doing this so with the use of a water mister and gel medium, the image can be roughed in and corrections made as I go along with the paint staying wet. The picture below defines placement, values, composition...
Now that the drawing is roughed in, the full palette of color is introduced. In this next image all attention has been focused on the face.
Here I am moving around as details are given to the bible, chair, shirt, etc.
Looks like I'm having a bad hair day! :)
The hand, book and background are coming together.
As with many artists, it is all too easy to overwork the image....but if you feel you are heading in that direction, it is wise to lay the painting aside for a week or so, then go back and critique yourself, asking the question, "Does this work?
As with many artists, it is all too easy to overwork the image....but if you feel you are heading in that direction, it is wise to lay the painting aside for a week or so, then go back and critique yourself, asking the question, "Does this work?Created in His Image.
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