Never do this to yourself.

mala-muha · #1 02-07-2009, 03:18 PM

So I took a commission for a lady who wanted to have a picture of him holding this salmon he caught in Alaska. I looked forward to it since I always wanted to paint that kind of fish. The picture I am using though for reference he is wearing a camoflage (sp?) jacket. I never realized how hard it would be to paint camoflage, but it is! Bad part is that I have to deliver it by the 20th of this month and I am having a hard time staying in front of the easel because it is so aggrevating

. I am gettign all of that done before I finish it up with the fun parts like the riffles and the grasses. I'll finish it but I'll never do this to myself again for sure.

Paintbrush74 · #2 02-07-2009, 03:26 PM

Yes, I've been there a few times. It has taught me to be much bolder in charging what I am worth!

RPut · #3 02-07-2009, 07:03 PM

You can do--keep at it! It's looking great!

Bizkit · #4 02-07-2009, 07:49 PM

................reinforces my reasons for NOT doing commissions.

objectivistartist · #5 02-07-2009, 08:03 PM

Agree.........

OkeeKat · #6 02-07-2009, 08:47 PM

Coming along great, you can do it.. just put your mind to it. one section at a time. dont let the overall scare ya!!

keenart · #7 02-07-2009, 11:15 PM

I love the challenge of commission work. I dislike dealing with the poor taste people have in clothes and the lack of understanding of what looks “artistically” good in a portrait.

Anthony Dunphy · #8 02-08-2009, 04:34 AM

Been there

hahahaha keep at it though.You'll feel better for the experience!

mala-muha · #9 02-08-2009, 09:11 AM

Well I appreciate all of the feedback and encouragement. I realized late last night that if I painted the camo as it is, it would be a distraction from the guy and his fish not to mention everything else, and if his wife wanted a painting of the camo jacket, they would have sent me a pic of it. I think I will paint the jacket mainly as one color that would go well with everything and maybe here and there give hints of the camo. Thanks again.

NM Painter · #10 02-08-2009, 03:38 PM

I was just about to suggest that!!! The man and his precious fish are much more important to her than his jacket, and a subtle suggestion of the 'camo' is all you need! I think it will be a fine portrait. Please post the finished work.

Bright Eyes · #11 02-08-2009, 04:49 PM

Camo is tuff. If you check out the classroom thread on rocks and sticks there is a really good technique Sharon is teaching. The jellybean technique. It would get you through the camo in no time flat.

Bringer · #12 02-08-2009, 06:06 PM

Hi,

Well, this seems to be travelling on the right direction.
The depiction of distance is really good and those greens on the background are trully convincing.

Kind regards,

José

mala-muha · #13 02-09-2009, 09:15 AM

Last night I looked at the jelly bean technique. It seems I was already in the process of figuring out that with another painting I'm working on, and I'm glad to save myself the time of figuring the rest of it out. Whether or not it will work on camo I'll leave for another braver soul to discover, hehehe. I posted an update with annotations. The blue square bit I know how I am going to do it, just have not been pleased so far with my attempts. Any other C & C is welcome.

TxAggieDarlin · #14 02-09-2009, 09:19 AM

LOOKS great....

jmckelvin · #15 02-09-2009, 09:28 AM

It's looking good, and even though I haven't really gotten any commissions yet, I sympathize with the trouble you are having with the pattern. I'm taking on a pattern in my latest drawing, and I think any pattern it tough. It must be even more difficult in painting. I agree though with what was said before, the man and the fish are the main focus so you could probably just have a suggestion of camo and be perfectly fine.

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