Passionate couple in Watercolor

[Mike Finn]

Ok have at it...... C&C requested. I am a learner but don't let that stop you being harsh if you so feel. I am trying to use a very limited palette as I've been told that's the best way to learn to shade etc. So it's Burnt sienna, Burnt Umber, Paynes Grey.

Mike Finn

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/19-May-2004/41667-couplesmall.jpg

[macrobertson]

Mike, thanks for posting, I gather from trying to view your website that you are mainly into digital. I find watercolour a medium that is not as simple as it sounds, and would consider myself a learner with it too. My suggestion would be to keep at it, and if there is a life drawing group in your area to join it as it is a great prod to work at developing.
This isn’t a bad little composition, I think the thing it lacks, from looking at the other watercolour workers, is a background to hold it all together and give it a sense of being grounded..rather than floating!

Mac

[Rosic]

Mike... Thanks for posting!
You have done a super job with the limited palette. Your skin tones and shadow areas are very believable. The pose works well but seems puzzling with the lack of base and shadow... I assume she is falling back off of something but my eyes need a little more info to send to the brain so I am not stuck wondering. The males head seems a bit out of proportion. Hope this helps.
Rosic

[jjackm]

Be careful with the payne's gray, it can muddy things up when mixing it I've read and from experience I believe it to be true in some cases. You might try ultramarine blue too, which is one of my favorites. Nice start though.

[Mike Finn]

Thanks all for your comments...

Mac I have been a Photographer most of my working life. About ten or more years ago I moved into computers and ended up a "Consultant". Then along came digital cameras and I was back into photography again :-) All along the way I always wished I could draw and paint well, but alas I have no talent for it. So just recently I have been getting the computer to do the sketching and then experimenting with covering the sketch with real paint, both watercolor and acrylic... I use Photoshop for the sketching bit.

The silly thing is, that as I do more paintings, I make the computer do less of the sketching and put more of my own manual input on the paper. Combining technology in this manner has allowed me to actually achieve something I thought I could never do.....In time I hope to do away with the computer completely....

I agree it needs a background after you pointing that out, yes the males head is a little off (thats my input) still need practice with faces and heads. I only used Paynes grey for the shadow areas cause I too have found it muddies up some colours.

Thanks for responding all.

Mike Finn

[Lemnus]

Mike, you definitely have the talent for drawing and painting IMHO. First of all, this kind of a pose requires delicacy to keep it tender and not be pornographic. You have succeeded in this wonderfully I think. Faces are and figure work are two completely different things. You will get them in time. I think the woman has a wonderful face. The work on the bodies is very expressive, energized, and quite accurate overall - nice convincing bulk and form on both rib cages. The woman's pose is very beautiful and you've done the foreshortening on her left leg very well. Looks like you got a little confused on the breasts, which is natural in unusual positions like this - looks like you are doing this from imagination? Keep 'em coming!

[Mike Finn]

Looks like you got a little confused on the breasts, which is natural in unusual positions like this - looks like you are doing this from imagination? Keep 'em coming!


I obviously need to study breasts a lot more :-) I see NOW how the nip has slipped..... Thanks.. It's so obvious now it's embarassing...

Mike Finn

[Jet]

Mike,
Welcome to Wet Canvas....
.. Glad to see you around...

these style is very daring so don't feel bad for what's left... minor stuff really..

you're doing great ..
Congrats

Regards

ps....just waiting for my Insta-Sketch_PRO to arrive..
-Jorge E. Liera-

[amaze_1101]

Mike you must be a romantic at heart to get this work looking so serene. I keep going back to it even at this raw stage. I can only imagin that once you have the practice done you will produce a masterpiece.

Don't worry about the nip (maybe she has an implant-gone-worng! lol) I didn't even notice it out of place and I'm (supposed to be) a woman! :rolleyes: