Anniversary, B&W. Disaster!! Advice needed!

[dominika]

Hello...
I started this commission few days ago. The client want it in b&w. I did some warm underpainting because I didn't wanted it to be too cool. As I started to paint, I noticed that it was a mistake! The painting became ugly pink-grey. I don't know if I should continue or start new painting? Can you give me some advice what to do? I have only two weeks left...

[karenlee]

D- check your inbox.

You always have the option of using a warm black instead. For example, photographers may print portraits in sepia instead of black and white.

KL

[AndyfromVienna]

hi Dominika,

I love the way you painter her with the warm imprimatura shining through, it makes her look very warm and alive. when you finish the groom in the same way they should be thrilled with the result ...

very good work!



Andy

[bethanyt]

Did you know that every painting goes through the "ugly" stage? That's my experience, anyway!
You just need to keep going with it- don't panic! It already looks as though you have the likeness. Is it oil? If so- you can correct any colour issues with another layer.
I actually like the warmth showing through.

[dominika]

Karen, Andy and Bethany, thank you for nice words and encouragement!
I'm going on vacations tomorrow and when I come back I have time to do this from 18 to 31 August. It's very short time for me, I hope I can manage!
Bethany, I know what you mean and this is that ugly stage... I hate it! It's very discouraging. I use oils (titan. white and ivory black). I bought new canvas to start again but not decided yet what to do (my every decision takes a lot of time ).
I wonder if you guys have your own different ways to do B&W paintings?

[dominika]

Holidays ended so it's time to get to work again... I decided not to continue the first PINK painting and started again. This is where I am. What do you think about my second attempt?

[karenlee]

Even better! You can really draw!

[dominika]

Thank you Karen, I hope it WILL be better when I'll finish it! This is oil on canvas. Still lot to do with it.

[bethanyt]

Sorry, Dominika, I don't do black and white photos. I use colour whenever I can. I just encourage you to keep going and get it finished- it looks promising.

[dominika]

Thank you Bethany The original photo is colour but the customer want it to be B&W. Here is some update I did yesterday.

[OOzOO]

Have you tried mixing your own greys? Burnt Umber and Ultramarine makes a lovely grey, and you can modulate the temperature by adding more or less of each.

[dominika]

Yeah I tried this but this painting is quite big so I use pure black here.
Update again, I hope you don't mind that I show you the progress (I love observing others works in progress, it's very interesting). I guess something's wrong with his face but I don't know what.

[OOzOO]

The main things I see are that the chin looks more bulbous than it is, and that bit of jowl on our left is a bit more protruding than it is in the photo. Also, the eyes are maybe slightly too close together, and the angle of the brow on our left is off. You might have also flattened his ear a bit. It almost looks as if your painting has his head facing more towards us than it is in the photo, if that makes sense. Seeing them side by side might help.

[dominika]

Thank you, Robin, this is very helpful. I hope I can manage with it. I can also see some other things now.

[dominika]

She's almost finished, now I struggle with his face and hair.