Second Portrait

[Honko]

Second go at doing a portrait. Up until now everything I've done: drawings, sketches, etc including the stuff posted on here has been done on a sketch pad. I used smooth bristol board for this and it's so much different drawing on this surface. The likeness still isn't there but this time it at least looks like the correct gender, which is a step in the right direction as far as I'm concerned!

I tried to create a more dynamic lighting environment because the reference photo was a straight on shot which is kind of dull. I'm not sure if the shadow placements are correct for a light source coming from the left side, but I think I came pretty close. I did use Gimp to play around with the after image a little bit and try to make it look a little better.

[kevinwueste]

Hyon - drawing heads well is not easy but you will get there if you want to and have the desire/determination. The light on her is actually almost exactly straight-on and above. If it favors the left it appears only by a degree or three. Because this is likely a flash photograph ( though it appears the flash/strobes are slightly diffused) much of her facial anatomy forms are really light and subtle.

I think you are seeing the shapes ok and placing them ok as well.. if you squint as you develop the drawing it can help you see what is dark, what the shape is and what is light (and lighter and lightest!). To help her glow - I think you could add some tone to the background if you so chose. also, there is a clear terminator ( though subtle) on her left temple, and left cheek beginning near the zygomatic arch and heading down toward the chin. Seeing this and the terminator ( or "core" or form shadow edge) will help you turn the forms and develop some volume.

I suggest looking through the tutorials here in D&S and perhaps downloading Loomis to see how a head is constructed ( also good to read and learn Bridgman and J.H. Vanderpoel's teachings).

Kevin

[amri]

Hyon ~
I would have only said what I have already. But thought I would say, Keep going buddy, you will get to where you are going, by KEEP GOING!!
If you have an idea of what you want, and you feel you have not attained it, YET, you will only improve!! You are good to set your own goals!
Bless you. good #2.
IRma

[SparrowHawk7]

That's an improvement Hyon. Practice is the secret, of course, but you are heading in the right way. Good for you to change a reference photo to fit your desires.

[mooz49]

Originally Posted by Honko

The likeness still isn't there but this time it at least looks like the correct gender, which is a step in the right direction as far as I'm concerned!

.....you are doing great Hyon especially as this is only your second portrait! Her eyes are very appealing .... good work!

[Honko]

Kevin, I started going through the Loomis book on how to go draw the head/hands yesterday. At a first glance there appears to be much I could learn from it, so I'm excited (and slightly discouraged because it is a stark reminder of how much I still have to learn ).

Thanks Irma, Ken, and Anne for your ever encouraging words. I hadn't really planned on posting this but I was thrilled by the difference of drawing on a decent quality paper as opposed to sketch paper.

Hopefully the next time I post a portrait it can be recognizable of my subject.

[kevinwueste]

Hyon - it's great stuff - doing lots of studies - and working to figure out what he is doing will help immensely! There is a recent tutorial in the portraiture forum archives based on his work if you like - have a look! - Kevin

[SILKNSATIN]

Came close.

[Honko]

Originally Posted by SILKNSATIN

Came close.

But no cigar!

[luicre]

Hyon, good work on Liv Tyler. I recognized her witthout seeing thev ref and that is a real acchievement. Kevin has gave you great advices so Keep on, you are doing well.


Saludos

Luicre

[Honko]

Thank you Luicre. I am inclined to disagree that it looks like her but that could be because I'm biased towards being overcritical of myself . If I had made her mouth a little wider I think it could have achieved a better resemblance, but alas, you live and learn.