Bill

cranium · #1 01-09-2004, 11:44 AM

MY IMAGE(S):

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Title: Bill
Year Created: 2004
Medium: Watercolor
Surface: Watercolor Paper
Dimension: 32 x 22
Allow digital alterations?: Yes!

MY COMMENTS:
Hi

This is my first portrait and also my first time using 300lb watercolour paper.

I have used watercolour and pastels.

I am am not finished with this project as I still have work to do around the fence and also to some areas of the wash. I will add darker colors to the fence area. This composition was chosen because it has significant meaning to the parents since Bill died about 3 years ago at age 43.

MY QUESTIONS FOR THE GROUP:
I am teaching myself how to do art work.I have spent hours reserching this project and have tried to choose the right colors and composition.
Please be very honest as to how I am doing so far.
My scanner size only allows me to send this much of the painting.
Thanks so much Cranium Judy

Yokovich · #2 01-09-2004, 02:42 PM

Judy--a watercolor portrait, I don't have to tell you, is an ambitious undertaking. Without seeing the reference photo we won't be able to judge the likeness. So far the face seems to have gotten all your attention (and rightfully so, additionally, I understand this is a work in progress).

Your subject appears warm and animated, I just hope it looks very much like him since, of course, that would be essential.

You have done a very good job of minimizing background to let your subject shine. The light on his face is very well done and hopefully the lower half of the painting will recieve some of this illumination also. You are correct that there is a complete lack of darks in the lower half of the painting. Tightening up the lower half of the painting will obviously bring it all together. The hand doesn't look anatomically correct, all his fingers are the same length. You'll fix that.
If this were my painting I would do many versions of it instead of just one, but we all work differently. The reason I would want to do a series of "studies" is that I would want to be practiced ahead of time so that my strokes would be confident and my colors would all be sorted out before I sat down to the actual painting. If you are feeling squeamish about mucking it up (watercolor is a challenge to "repair" isn't it?) I suggest that you do your daisies and fences on another paper many many times--get a load of confidence built up prior to completion. You wrote that you've spent hours researching the colors and that is evident. Now you just need to invest more hours in boldly adding shadows, and you will have a fine visual tribute of your departed friend. --Strive for neutral grays with a touch of color to achieve believable shadows and avoid black at all costs.

cranium · #3 01-09-2004, 05:35 PM

Hi Celestia

Thanks so much for your reply. I have been looking at that hand and thinking that I needed to work on it a little more.

I have posted the photo of Bill I have been working from if you care to look at it. Forgot to do that when I posted the first time.

Its nice to know that my studing, has paid off.

Cranium. Judy

Yokovich · #4 01-09-2004, 05:47 PM

Judy---where is the reference photo?

henrik · #5 01-09-2004, 05:47 PM

You are off to a good start. One thing to look at is to try to unite color - the green in the background, the blue shirt and the warmer tones of Bill are separate. In the attached image I made the green warmer (wash of red on top), and I warmed/neturalized the blue with a wash of golden orange/ochre.

I also increased the contrast on the face and made the shadow side of the face darker as well as a cast shadow on his shoulder, under the nose and chin. All to reduce flatness in the face.

cranium · #6 01-09-2004, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celestia

Judy---where is the reference photo?

Hi

I made a new post to Strucktured site. Listed under Oringinal Bill

cranium · #7 01-09-2004, 06:10 PM

Hi Henrik

Thanks for your reply. I do like what you have done to improve the painting.

I thought I needed to do something to tie it all together but I was not sure of just what need to be done. I think the face does look better with the darker side of the face. I was a little leary of getting it too dark.

I have photoshop 7 , but I do not know how to digitally alter an image yet. Looks like I should learn.

Cranium Judy

Yokovich · #8 01-09-2004, 06:45 PM

Judy---here is the photo that you put on the galleria/gallery board I just grabbed it from there and will put it in the thread so that others can see your reference

madster · #9 01-10-2004, 11:00 PM

cranium, although your intentions are to be applauded, your portrait looks very little like your reference photograph.

I was originally bothered by the eyes, as the nose appears much closer to the left than the right, but when I saw the reference photo, I understood.

Here is your original ref. photo, the same photo transformed to be as slender as your portrait, your portrait with the additional shading provided by Henrik, and a blend of the adjusted reference photo and your adjusted portrait...(colors are slightly oversaturated, as I was trying to match the images up correctly for posting)

You've made the subject about 1/3 thinner than he really was, and you've lost your proportions in the process. Even distorting the photo to make his face as thin as you've done it still places the eyes differently, as well as the mouth, which you have too small, and the nose, which you've made too thin and too long. Additionally, in distorting the proportions, now his forhead is too high. I don't know if there is any way for you to render his facial contours better with watercolors, as I know the keyword is thin wash, but maybe you can incorporate darker shades with the shading...
Possibly you could use what you have as a base, and turn it into a colored pencil portrait...maybe pastels.

cranium · #10 01-11-2004, 09:57 PM

Hi Madster

Thanks for your honesty. I have not liked the nose either. I see what you mean. I have decided to work with some pastels and see what I can do.
While this is not the work I hope to see from myself in the future, I am pleased that I have done this well for my first portrait.

Cranium Judy

cranium · #11 01-12-2004, 12:24 AM

HI

Thanks to everyone that offered help. I have decided to start over again.
The poor paper has had it and I know I can do better. I have only been painting seriously for about 1 year. I sure did learn alot from the first try.

I will submit my next try.

Cranium Judy

Yokovich · #12 01-12-2004, 03:08 PM

although there are descrepancies in your portrait of bill (between photo and your rendering) your effort shows a great deal of the warmth and vibrancy that a photo can not supply. that is why we do portraiture---to capture not only a record of a person--but what eminates from that person. You have done that in this first go round! now "back to the drawing board" for more accuracy but retain that appreciation that you have for this subject because it is clear you are on the right track!

cranium · #13 01-12-2004, 05:36 PM

Hi Celestia

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. I felt like there were several things that I did get right. And even thought I could see his warmth and "feel his Personality".
However since I was fairly pleased with my first attempt, I am sure I can do better.I do look forward to doing the painting again. I have spent weeks practicing on the first one.

Thanks again Cranium Judy

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