Sandra - Thank you for your uplifting comment. After the portrait last sunday (with the black haired model) which I was happy with despite it was not perfect I thought "from now on it's only upwards" .. guess I proved myself wrong. What I think I understand now is your comment about going slowly and observe the model and all that. I'm not a good draftsman enough to accomplish what I'm trying here.
Carol - Yes, indeed ... I won't give up for certain. Fails first make me a bit depressed but after I eat some chicken (the other half of yesterdays is just went in the oven) I get anylytical and try to figure out why it went wrong and what to do better next time. Usually the answer is "need to draw more".
Nancy - Thank you for your help. Next time I will use artificial light I think. My south window, even when cloudy is no good. I myself have no problem with artificial light, just thought the models might like it better with opened curtains ... some people tend to feel queasy in a closed room. Next week a model who was already here and knows she can trust me I will ask if that is OK. The last 3 models including today didn't know me before ... so I thought it might not be a good idea to lead them in a weirdo freaks room with all darkened windows.
Your tips about the painting process are spot on what I'm doing wrong. I will pay attention next time. Thank you !
Bethany - Your comment already makes me feel better. The light change is indeed annoying- It might be OK for 1 hour sketches, but over the six hours it changes like completely ... not only the light source, but also the temperature and all.
What I do not understand: They always say "cool light warm shadows" "warm light cool shadows" ... today with the clouds I thought the light was cool ... but I think the shadows where cool as well. Don't get it.
My model just left. I cannot blame her for my bad painting, but she had better days as well ... she was out partying until 4 hours before she came here and fell asleep on the chair all the time, I mean literally, I had to wake her up a few times ! But that also is something a wannabe portrait painter has to know how to handle I guess.
Not happy at all with the result, but learned a few things. I think I once and for all understood that I need to draw more, a lot more and then some more.
Next weekend I will do so !
Today I made a rather ridiculous 10 minute sketch, did it heartless and without paying attention to it
, sorry that you must bear that one. Almost too ashamed to post it:
Then the oily
devil in me took over. I don't know what it is and why I am doing it, I KNOW I must draw more. I also like too look at good drawings ... but if I do not draw more I will waste a lot of time and money for the models. I'm trying all the time to build a roof on an unstable house, that I must change ! I bet once I made a fine drawing it will get me hooked on it.
About 30 minutes in I made a progress photo:
And this is what came out ... the model felt like cold during the session and took a scarf on. It had no real finish. At the end, when I thought "well, that'll be another one for the trashcan" I thought why not have a go at it and added the eyes and a few more strokes.
High Resolution:
http://dustonpaper.smugmug.com/Art/Portrait/19438152_g4N8pb#!i=1735355052&k=3gNhDBS&lb=1&s=O
Even though the results are nothing good I enjoyed the weekend and every hour with painting tool in my hand is good for the progress I guess.
I'll look forward to next weekend with another 2 models. And then I will draw ! One model is the black haired model I painted last weekend, I will do some drawings with really taking my time, not just rushing through them without passion.
Thank you all for commenting. C&C of course always welcome.
Edit:
Just saw your other comment Carol. Thank you so very much. It is good to have people who understand the struggle, even if at the other end of the world ...
