At Jean's request -wip-June

[Bob(2)]

Every painting must begin with bones, that is a good drawing. I admire artists that just pick up a brush with no drawing. I need a road map.

I sure hope this does not get too boring!
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Apr-2006/79647-June_drawing.jpg

Step two mask (which I have finally conquered)
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Apr-2006/79647-June_mask1.jpg

And, more masking..
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Apr-2006/79647-June_mask2.jpg

I have used those two brushes for mask for the last five years, BTW, mask does not kill brushes if you figure out the method, but I'm sure you know how to use it.

[Fozbot]

a watercolor artist that uses mask! yaaay! Bob, you might leave a tip for newbies on saving brushes from the mask. i don't know what you do but i've found if i work a little dish soap into the bristles beforehand the mask washes right out.

[Aquarelle10]

BOB!!!!!!!!!!!!:clap: :clap: :clap:

I'm thrilled you're unselfishly sharing this fabulous painting! I loved it from the minute I saw it!:clap:

"I admire artists that just pick up a brush with no drawing. I need a road map"

How funny Bob.I admire anyone who DOES pick up a pencil!;)


Thank you so very much for doing this and please don't even think for one minute any one soul will be bored!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jean.:)

[Bob(2)]

Billie, there is more to it than that! I use riggers, synthetic only, and for nothing else but mask! First I do soap the brush with dish soap, working it into the ferrule hairs. Next, I put old news paper on the floor because I work fast and I want to shake the brush out. Secondly, I get a small bowl with water in it, rinse the brush, pull it between my fingers so I know the dampness. RULE ONE: never, ever shake a mask bottle! I use the brush handle to stir the mask and remove the scum on top. Clean the handle and I'm ready to paint mask. Dip into the mask, 1/2 of the bristles only, and start in one area, but don't go back when it starts to dry. RULE TWO: you only get to dip into the mask bottle three or four times, THEN YOU MUST RINSE! Yep, rinse in the bowl, shake it on the old news papers, run the brush through your fingers for the correct dampness, and start again.

Same procedure, step by step. When finished painting mask, rinse well, run your finger nails through the bristles to make sure no beads of rubber have formed, dip the brush in dish soap and store!

I bet you guys think I'm crazy, but that is how I do it!

[Bob(2)]

After the mask is painted and DRY, I did the under painting of the background. I had not made too many decisions as to the final look, so I just dropped in colors that may show through. Oh, I forgot to mention it is Arches 300# rough, taped and stapled to my board. I do not prestretch the paper.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Apr-2006/79647-June_under.jpg

[Bob(2)]

If I remember right, I then decided to just go for it while it was damp, on the background. I knew the blouse was going to be pinkish red, so greens would complement it. I only use MaimeriBlu watercolor paints for portraits.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Apr-2006/79647-June_backgrnd.jpg

[Bob(2)]

After everything was dry, I did test swatches of colors to see if I could get the under painting colors I wanted. Here I departed from MaimerBlu and used Da Vinci Rose Red Deep, M.Graham & Co. Aureolin (yellow), & Ultarmarine Blue and Da Vinci Burnt Sienna.

I put in the under painting of the face, modeling some of the facial plains, pushing the color, patting out pigment with a tissue! Ha! It is only a 1/2 sheet of paper...right!

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Apr-2006/79647-June_face01.jpg

[Bob(2)]

After it has dried again, and not using a hair drier because it can set the mask and make it too hard to remove, I begin the UGLY part! This is visualisation knowing where you are going, knowing that what is under will show through in future layers of paint, be brave and go for it....

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Apr-2006/79647-June__face02.jpg

Please note I take some of the cool colors into the hair, and pink to the part of the hair.

[Bob(2)]

I'm sure you know that cools recede and warms come forward in most cases. I like the forehead colors by the hair, and will not do to much to them later. I will finish posting the rest of the images tonight along with answering any questions. Please don't be afraid to ask.....

[Bob(2)]

Next, I took the mask off and started to define the under painting of the eyes. I'm thinking layers of color. I don't want to over work the painting while it is wet or damp. So it was very dry.

Remember the will be a shadow across the face but the nose is in the sun.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Apr-2006/79647-June_face03.jpg

[jaydiva]

OH BOB HOW GREAT IS THAT !!!!!!!!!!
And my favorite painting of yours :clap: :clap: :clap:

This is like Christmas, Easter and my birthday all on the same date!!!!

YEAH :clap: :clap:

[Bob(2)]

Here is where the dry brush work begins. Defining the eyes, nose and hair. Mostly with a #6 brush, good sharp point. I wear out the points on brushes, so I mostly use synthetic brushes. Then the warm colors on the neck. Few cools...

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Apr-2006/79647-June_face04.jpg

[Bob(2)]

The face is mostly finished here except for what I call ginger bread. I have not put the shadow on the face. For me that is the scary part because once the dark color is laid down it is hard to move it and make adjustments.
Completed the fence and the blouse. Remember no shadow yet. Patiences is required through these steps.


http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Apr-2006/79647-June_05.jpg

[Bob(2)]

A big puddles of my shadow colors, rose red deep and ultramarine blue. Time to go for it! Heavy business, working quickly more blue then more red, top to bottom. Done. I'm shaking a bit because I know I could blown the whole painting! Then I let it dry.

Now the smaller brushes are used, hard and soft lines, defining the wrinkles in the face and neck. I started defining the cheek wrinkles, and oops big boo boo! I was working with too much burnt sienna. No choice, I have to let it dry. Big brown spot on the cheek! I did not like the goldish color of the background next to her face, so I put in more passages of green. Perhaps overdid it..but mabe it will be OK!

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Apr-2006/79647-June_06.jpg

[Bob(2)]

After the painting was very dry, the next day, I scrubbed out the brown spot and did some minor scrubbing here and there.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Apr-2006/79647-June_07.jpg

[Bob(2)]

Well gang, here is the final. Minor adjustments, look in a mirror, adjust the eye slightly, small definitions on the blouse. I darkened the fence slightly. I apologize for the images, I don't have good lighting in my house, some days it was cloudy outside, and some times too sunny. For some reason the green seems darker in the final than it is in the final painting.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Apr-2006/79647-June_final.jpg

[Bob(2)]

Jutta, you got in between posts, I glad you wanted to see this post WIP. I hope it was OK!

[Aquarelle10]

BOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:clap: :clap: :clap:

I'll be back I'm racing to an Art Society meeting.I can't WAIT to see this!!!!!!!!!!

YOU ARE A STAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:clap: :clap: :clap:

Jean!:heart:

[jaydiva]

OK :confused: ????
Bob you've got to be kidding.
I LOVED it!!!
Ever since i've seen this portrait on your website i was so blown away by it's beautiful style and colours, the wonderful expression on her face and how you treated the fair skin and hair.

Yup, Jean is right: you are a STAR!!! Count me in on your fan-club :clap: :clap: :clap:

[Aquarelle10]

BOB!:clap:

I have only just had time to look at this step by step.

I love how you shared and the way you mentioned that your hands were shaking at one point because you knew that was a stage you could "blow the whole painting"

I find I love that feeling.I dread it but I love it at the same time.If it's there I know the painting is a good one.It's like an adrenalin rush.

I am thrilled to see how you brought this amazing portrait to life and really love your shade choices.You use very different shades to me on a portrait and I will try them now.

I honestly think this painting is so stunning.

It " blew me away" when I saw it in the gallery and it still does.

The way you've created texture on the skin is superb.

I truly hope I get to see many more of your paintings and Jutta and I will be at the top of your fan club list but I truly wish I could see you paint IRL sometime.

Thank you so much for making a wish come true for me.

Jean.:heart:

[Bob(2)]

Thank you Jean and Jutta, any further questions just PM me or post here. I hope this was interesting.

[Aquarelle10]

"I hope this was interesting."

Interesting?

Bob it was incredible!!!!!!!!!!!! I've loved every single minute of it and next week when I have time I'm going to experiment on a portrait here.

Thank you a million times over.

Jean.

[Fozbot]

Bob, this tutorial is amazing!:clap: when you first started out i wondered where in the heck you were going w/this. shows how little I know! lol right now i'd be terrified to try a portrait but your tut. gives me hope that maybe...someday.:rolleyes: thanks for more tips on brush care when using mask, too.:thumbsup:

[Bob(2)]

Billie, instead of a portrait, do a character, like an old cowboy, old man with a beard, get a good reference picture and go for it. I think painting flowers is harder than faces, but that is just me.

[laudesan]

Bob it really was interesting watching your portrait come to life.

I think it is a wondeful portrait too.

I want to ask tho' are these colours true to life of your painting?

The reason I ask is that the left side of her face on my monitor is blue. She looks like she has a big bruise on her face..;) Could be time for me to buy a new monitor..:)

I am going to ask Doug to put this thread into the Learning Demos' by the way!! :clap:

:wave:

[Strider]

Beautifully done Bob...well demonstrated and creating a real eye-popper. Thanks for doing this. :clap: :wave:

[lightfast]

thanks for the wip bob(2), so interesting to see an artist at work!

to avoid any confusion the m.graham aureolin hue color is a permanent azo yellow pigment (py151), not the impermanent real aureolin which is made of cobalt yellow (py40).

for me too the greens in my digital photos look different than in real life, i don't know why (but i blame the camera and weather of course:lol:) ...anyway greens seem always darker and sometimes bluer too.

[Yorky]

Just got around to viewing this, Bob - you made a terrific job of the painting and especially the explanation.

Mentor point from me for sure.

I'll link it in the Learning Demos under "Portrait Demo by Bob (2)"

Thanks again.

Doug

[Roun2it]

Great job Bob, thanks for that, it is always great to see how others tackle things. I enjoyed this and there are plenty of hints for us to learn from.

Well done :clap:

[Bob(2)]

JJ, thanks for the complements. No, in real life the the colors were not there, I just pushed them. A little confession, this was the second attempt, the first failed! But because it was a second attempt, I knew more of what I wanted to do. Some color shifts were planned, other were happy surprises that come with watercolor! LOL!

The blue on the left side faded into reflected light from her pink blouse. I could have warmed it up some, but I though it went well with the shadow.

Thanks for your recommendation re: Learning Demos. I intent to send my students to this link, perhaps they will join WetCanvas.

Kevin, you are welcome, we all learn from each other!

Lightfast, yes, second to making a painting, I like to watch other artists paint and solve problems. You asked.."is a permanent azo yellow pigment (py151)?", yep, that is the one. You are right, the greens in my digital images seem greener for some reason. Photo Shop is on my list of things to get.

Doug, I'm honored to receive a mentor point (although I'm so new I'm not sure what that is but..good!), and thanks for considering it as a Learning Demo. If I knew it was headed that way, I would have been better with my English! You and everyone are welcome. I have learned a lot in the short time I have been here.

Kev, thank you, I'm glad to share what I have learned, much of it through trial and error, but I have found that success only comes from trial and error! LOL!

[Roun2it]

Kev, thank you, I'm glad to share what I have learned, much of it through trial and error, but I have found that success only comes from trial and error! LOL!

........... that together with the generosity of others:D :thumbsup:

[Bob(2)]

Yes, Kev, I agree, it is the sharing of others that have help me be the artist I am today. I try to give back, in my community, and now here too, to learn, help, and give back.

The old masters would meet in pubs and cafes, and discuss the art issues of the day, I'm sure they shared ideas and helped each other too, although it is not reported well. How interesting, we are in this digital world of communication, an electronic pub/cafe of sorts, sharing information.

[Aquarelle10]

Yes, Kev, I agree, it is the sharing of others that have help me be the artist I am today. I try to give back, in my community, and now here too, to learn, help, and give back

Bob,this is just how I feel.I've been given so much help and encouragement over the years by so many brilliant artists.As much as I know I'm still learning daily I love giving away to others the gifts of knowledge that have been given to me for all to enjoy and hopefully pass on.

Thank you again Bob for this great thread.

Jean.

[Laurie2]

A great WIP...Thank you for sharing Bob...I am learning so much from the sharers amongst us...:)

[Bob(2)]

Jean, you are more than welcome!

Laurie, you are welcome too, I hope I have helped all who have viewed this.

[ameliajordan]

Bob, I missed this and am so glad you referenced it for Ruth's painting of her son in the pool. This is a wonderful explanation and demo!!!!!!!! Besides a wonderful lesson the final painting is just supurb!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CharM]

Wow... I missed this too... Bob, it's a terrific demo!!! I'm rating the thread with 5 stars and giving you a Mentor Point!

[Bob(2)]

Amelia, thank you for your kind comments. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Char, sorry you missed it too! Thank you for the 5 stars and mentor point. IMHO, the under painting is everything in doing a portrait in watercolor, it is what I call the ugly stage, layered values!

PS, shadows really make the difference on the facial plains, and can provide a lot of interest in a portrait!

[Bob Rooney]

Just saw this Bob. Very interesting.

[Bob(2)]

Glad you found it interesting Bob.