First Portrait - Final

[Susan Jenkins]

Well I keep trying to venture out and step out of my comfort zone and portraiture is DEFINITELY out of my comfort zone. As a matter of fact this may be my first portrait ever. I have done scenes with human forms, but never really a portrait.

This is my cousin's little grandson "Jackson". She sent me a great pic from her cell phone and it just looked like it needed to be painted. I loved his wise little expression holding that teddy bear.

I have really enjoyed doing this, but I have a WHOLE new respect for portrait artists!!... so much time, patience, concentration and talent to this!

I would love to hear some feedback (positive or negative) since this is new territory for me. I am specifically wondering about the background... the color of the road and the teddy are so similar I'm thinking I should do something to make the teddy stand out more.

I have also put in a close up. I think I got a pretty good placement of facial features, but I'm wondering about those pupils.... the eyes seem too black. I'm not done with the hand yet, but I have new respect for painting hands as well!! whew!! tough!

anyway... and comments are appreciated. I think I really like portrait work and I'm thinking I'll do more.

approx 10 x 14 / colorfix, various pastels

:) susan

[joseph01]

Hi Susan,
Nice work on your first portrait! Congratulations!! :clap: I like your loose style and good use of the colors. I personally get caught up in too much detail and I'm trying to relax my style a bit. The complementary color to the teddy is the same as you used for the bg of the little boy's hair and face... it's that wonderful sea foam green. Personally, I would go with a little darker value than that for the contrast and interest. When I have doubt about the colors I will make a little swatch and place it next to what I'm having a hard time with. Did you do this free hand? He's a cutie!!
Joe

[Susan Jenkins]

thanks Joseph... I was thinking about going with one of those rich greens to compliment the bear.... sort of like there is more foliage on the ground instead of a road. And if you meant by "freehand" just looking at the image and painting then yes. As a reference I used a photo that my cousin sent me. And yes... he sure is a cutie.

[joseph01]

Well, good job with the free hand work. :eek: You seem to have a great eye! I still use my trusty grids... one day I will break away from the crutch! :D
Joe

[DAK723]

Susan,

For a first portrait this is fantastic!! I love the color selection, the way the boys hair and teddy bear harmonize with each other, the way you have left the background very loose and out of focus!

Here are just a couple of suggestions that you can completely ignore. Obviously, the painting is not finished yet, so I may be addressing some things that you were planning on doing.

I put it into photoshop, and the first thing I would consider is cropping. Unless you have some particular items you plan on adding on the right side.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/23-Feb-2009/82335-jackson_smaldak.jpg

With the crop, both the boys head and the teddy are in balanced focal points. Regardless of whether you crop, you might want to reduce the contrast of that strong line that marks the edge of the road and trees. The contrast and the fact that it is a diagonal put lots of emphasis there. I would consider changing the color of the road - unless there is significance in it being a road, and just make it more vegetation, which harmonizes better with the rest of the scene.

In the face itself - I would blend out that very light highlight on the far cheek. Instead I would put the highlight on the nose. The highlight on the far cheek makes the cheek look closer and sharper. Putting the highlight on the nose should make it seem closer than the far cheek. Also watch out for those little halos on the edge of that cheek and forehead. Those are minor things that I'm sure you would have cleaned up in your later stages!

I know I have written a lot, but I am in "critiquing mode" due to my portrait class! Sorry if this seems like way too much! I am really impressed. This is coming along great! It is hard to believe you haven't done portraits before!!

Don

P.S. The hand looks great and looks done!

P.P.S. Susan I see we cross-posted - yes more foliage instead of the road. Glad we are on the same page!

[jimmy4u]

First attempt at a portrait? Great job! Keep it up!

[Susan Jenkins]

Don,
No way did you write too much. I love it!! So much great advice. It's funny but I had already started to add the darker greens next to the teddy before I read your message. And I love the crop!!... a much better composition!
thank you, thank you!!!!
:) susan

[BetsyPriesing]

GOSH Susan your first!! I think you will make a great portrait artist if this is where you start from...really! this is great and can't wait to see the finish with the great suggestions from Don great job!

[Colorix]

It is wonderful, sensitive, lovely, beautiful! I really like Don's suggestions, as you suspected initially, some things needed pushing so that the right things would be in focus. (Don's class is superb, btw, so if you want some mystery taken out of portraiture, I can really recommend it.)

For a first portrait, this is marvellous!

Charlie

[Susan Jenkins]

Oh Besty... coming from you that makes me feel awesome. I just love your little girl series!!!! And Charlie... I have seen your gorgeous portraits so I'm feeling really great right now!!

I got inspired while painting this because I have three boys of my own and I wrote a poem to go with it.... (not unusual for me!). Now I want to paint little boy pics of my boys (who are big now!) and make a book to go with the poem.....

here's the poem:

The Heart of a Boy

There is a rhyme from long ago
That speaks of snips and snails
And claims that little boys are made
from these and puppy’s tails.

I’m not sure where this poet looked
to find this recipe,
But any mother of a son
would strongly disagree.

Within the heart of a boy
a hidden treasure lies,
And like a chest
he keeps it locked
Cept for his mother’s eyes.

She sees within
and has no need
To even use a key
Because this gift “she” placed in him
For all eternity.

Compared only to God’s great love
His mother’s love will stay
Though life will surely give him storms
Her love will light his way.

Though life will sometimes
Take him far
No highways, seas or skies
Could steal what she put in his heart
When she looked in his eyes.

And surely if there ever were,
Two hearts that beat as one
I have no doubt those hearts would be
A mother and a son.

[Constellation]

Susan... what a delightful idea and what a loving poem! Your sons and their children will love a book of paintings. {The wives may be a tad jealous) I think your portrait of the little boy is exceptionally good .. .and you are so right... they do take patience. I think his hand is done very well... it's a sweet painting!. Donna R

[thai-secret]

Nice work for begining.

[Susan Jenkins]

Well I guess this is the final unless there are some more suggestions. I really think the suggestions Don gave made a big difference in the composition.

I haven't shown it to my cousin yet, but hopefully she will like it. Her little grandson, Jackson is such a cutie pie.

Thanks for all your help guys. I think I like doing portraits now!

:) susan

[kentiessen]

Good work on your first portrait, Susan! I'm sure she will love it. He has a nice expression. Any time you put that much feeling into your work, it will show.

[BetsyPriesing]

Susan very nice finish i love the colors they go well with each other

[Deborah Secor]

Your poem is every bit as good as this painting! :heart:

Deborah

[maw-t]

Very well done Susan! Extra good for a first portrait!! I bet the cousin loves it & you should be very proud! Do more portraits.. I think you a knack for them!!

[Colorix]

Oh, my, it is totally adorable! And looks better, too. But the poem floored me. It has rhythm and rhyme, and made sense, plus *said* something, and something so lovely. "Envy" you wordsmiths, but I can enjoy, and I did!

Charlie

[DAK723]

Beautiful painting...beautiful poem!

Don