starting my 2nd portrait

ProfessorGreibowitz · #1 01-25-2004, 12:15 AM

Hello,

I am painting my 2nd portrait and thought I'd post a pic of the background. I am painting a co-worker and his wife. They had this pic taken at some booth and it is not really a photo but a cheap computer printout that has some goofy sketch algorithm applied to it so I can't see all of the details but i got some real pics from the guy of him and her in color and I can work with it. He plans to give this to her for their anniversary. She doesn't know though so if I blow it, she won't be disappointed.

Anyway, I promise to not post as many times as i did on my first portrait. I was just so amazed by the results that I suffered from POST-traumatic syndrome. heheheheheh

So, here's what I have so far. You can see where their heads will go.

Tim

kdkbrown · #2 01-25-2004, 01:13 AM

Tim,

You did such a good job of the first portrait! This 2nd one is off to a good start. Waiting to see more.

ProfessorGreibowitz · #3 01-25-2004, 01:53 AM

Thanks, Donna. I went to your site. Very nice. I have some ketchin up to do!!!! hehehe I wondered why I didn't see any pics from you in here but I guess you don't airbrush.

Thanks for the encouragement and I'll post a few more pics as I progress. I guess I'm jumpin way in cuz this one has TWO people and HAIR and TEETH and GLASSES and JEWELRY and a background! I hope I done rush it and mess up. I am de4bating on masking the glasses for a while to give them a sharper edge but then i could always try to erase them each pass. not sure. It's tempting to just frisket them off and save them for last and use a freehand mask to render them after the face is done. .... arg

Tim

kdkbrown · #4 01-25-2004, 11:42 AM

Tim,

Thank you for your kind comments re: my web site. I purchased my first airbrush about 1 year ago. I keep trying to find the time to learn AB. I have alot of practicing to do. I did however post one of my first attempt at a portrait here is the link So glad to see this forum

I really did a poor job at it. But I did learn alot such as less is best. I find the AB forum a fantastic resource.

I look forward to seeing your progress on this piece.

Donna

ProfessorGreibowitz · #5 01-25-2004, 12:29 PM

You didn't do a poor job considering the facts. First try with airbrush, etc. I agree with Penny that it's best to build up the tones in layers or successive passes but i don't agree that you need to use transparent colors. It is possible to get good skin tones using opaques, as well as transparents but in my humble opinion, opaques are more forgiving. I am learning too but my gut is telling me, "Go opaque!". I tried transparency on my very first try at a portrait and it was okay but you sort of have to map it out and hope the colors blend the way you want. Seems harder to me. I can't wait to try a color portrait! Actually, I can. hehehehehhe I want to do more B&W first.

Layering is how I managed to get so much control on my very first portrait. I built it up a layer at a time by using a light gray first and rendering the whole thing. Then a darker gray, then a little bit beyond middle gray and I stopped before going to black. This way you can never (almost never) go too dark too quickly (like it seemed happened on the eyes and lip shadows on your first AB portrait). I'm just trying to learn what works for me and have fun while doing it! Ah, the weekends are way too short.

Tim

kdkbrown · #6 01-25-2004, 01:48 PM

Tim,

I think working in B&W might be the solution for me too. I have to confuse I have not used my airbrush since Christmas. The last time I was using it, I got distracted by the delivery of my new digital camera. Needless to say, I forgot about the my airbrush and left paint in the cup. I didn't realize it untill 4 days later. After soaking the AB in a solution of alcohol and water for a week, I was able to get it clean. Thank god!

Currently I'm in Seattle, Wa helping my Mother with the death of my stepfather. He was a very succesful business man. He owned 3 companies. So, I'll be busy for awhile. I was unable to bring any art supplies with me to help me relax. So, wetcanvas is my only distraction for awhile.

Donna

ProfessorGreibowitz · #7 01-25-2004, 02:53 PM

Well, I wish you success and post some stuff when you fire up the ole airbrush!

Tim

Penny220 · #8 01-25-2004, 05:45 PM

Clarification:
I have stated many times I use opaques, not transparents. I think you must have confused me with someone else.

Donna,
If you were using a waterbased paint and you leave it to dry in the brush you can clean it simply. Using hottest tap water and oxy clean, soak the brush, the bubbles and the hot water do the work for you. After little time disassemble the brush (small parts on dark towel so you can find them again!) Use a small jar to soak your nozzle so you don't loose it. Wipe the needle clean and set it on the towel, you don't want to break the tip off in the sink. Once all is clean, oil good, run waterever cleaner through it to make sure you get any residual paint and oil out and your back in business in no time. Hot water will peel off any acrylic paint when it's soaked and oxyclean doesn't do any damage to the gaskets.

PS, when soaking art supplies, make sure to make a big label DO NOT TOUCH under penalty of DEATH! I've had helpfulness that wasn't very helpful, cost me some serious money and aggrivation too.

Sorry to hear about your step-father.

Penny

ProfessorGreibowitz · #9 01-25-2004, 07:37 PM

Penny,

This is from a reply by you to Donna on 11-20/2003:

"It appears you are using opaque colors. I would add a flow medium and work with transparencies. Airbrushing is about building layers. You build the work up slowly and add the details on top."

Here's a link to it:

http://wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147772

So, if I misunderstood that you were suggesting that Donna use transparencies instead of opaques, what were you suggesting? Or was that not you? Do we have two Penny220s on WC???? hehehehe

Please set me straight (if that's possible !)

Tim

Penny220 · #10 01-25-2004, 09:53 PM

I stand by both, using opaques does not necessarily mean that you spray it as a solid color reduced to a transparency or straight. Airbrushing is done in layers regardless. Point was a little at a time is best to build these layers.

ProfessorGreibowitz · #11 01-25-2004, 10:19 PM

Penny,

I was simply responding based on what you wrote to Donna. I am sorry if I made it sound as if you didn't use opaques. I knew you did but when I replied to Donna I had that other quote in mind. Sorry.

Tim

ProfessorGreibowitz · #12 01-26-2004, 08:48 PM

I just now realized that Penny was advocating to add a flow medium to opaques and use them as if they were a true transparent color as opposed to using the ready made transparent colors. My mistake. I thought she was suggesting to use transparent colors that are labeled as such. I used opaque black and white for the now infamous portrait #1 and still built up the darkness using a layering technique but color adds a new dimension that makes the transparent technique appealing. You don't lose the underlying details by using transparents. It is a consideration.

Just thought I'd post to clear up my original (mis)understanding. I forgot that Penny sometimes uses opaques in a transparent way.

Tim

greymist · #13 01-26-2004, 09:42 PM

I liked your first portrait, and I look forward to seeing how this one turns out. I am sure it will turn out great!

Lisa

ProfessorGreibowitz · #14 01-27-2004, 12:31 AM

Lisa,

Thanks. I have had a total blast since joining WC in December. There are many great artists on here and especially this forum who do great work. I am not ready to put myself in that category. But I thank you for the nice words and I will post a few pics of the middle and the final painting. If people want to see the reference photo, it's already in another link but I can post a bigger one too.

Tim

coherent · #15 01-27-2004, 01:39 PM

Tim.. (or anyone really) I seem to remember you saying you just got an opaque projector recently and that you used it for your first portrait. Was it a great help? I curious because I don't have one and was considering getting one. I'm just not sure if a lower quality one will suffice (like those tracer $50 one) or I need to spend more. I figure anything is better that messing with graphite paper etc, and with a portrait, being a "little off" can make a big difference in likness of a person. Thanks for any help or comments!
-Marc

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