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  • #451331
    Perry
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        I haven’t attempted a portrait in years so I thought I would
        give it a try. My attempts were never successful, I think because
        I never got the likeness correct. This is a self portrait using a black
        and white printout of a photo as reference. It’s on 12’x9″
        watercolor paper. I’m going to approach this similar to some
        of the still lifes I make, an Underpainting in watercolor and then
        pastel over top.
        This is out of my comfort zone, I’ve only done 5 portraits before this.
        So nit-pick all you want, you won’t hurt my feelings.:) And give any advice
        you want to. (I wear glasses but I removed them for this attempt)

        Here’s the photo and light pencil sketch.

        #565733
        Mamalynn
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            I think the drawing looks great and that is half the battle in getting the likeness. The most important thing is value, more than color. I have never done a watercolor underpainting for pastel but starting with a grisaille in any medium is a great start. I still squint a lot when deciding on value and it always helps tons.

            #565728
            Donna T
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                Looks like a good start, Perry! Maybe double check the height of his head? To me it looks a little short and I think his cap might need a little more breathing space. If you lighten the shadow under the bill on his forehead it might show how the line of the forehead is offset from the line of the cap.

                Donna
                C&C Always Welcome

                #565726

                your initial drawing is very good! Watch that the eyes aren’t slanting down on their axis. He is squinting so it can be a little hard to see. Check the angles on the bottom of his eyes. It’s either that or they might be a little too close together.

                Lady Mars Orange Marmalade Stapleford
                Moderator: OIls, Pastels, Plein Air

                Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken. -Oscar Wilde

                #565715
                Perry
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                    Thanks Mamalynn, The watercolor underpainting is just used to
                    get rid of the white and loosely show some values.

                    #565716
                    Perry
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                        Thanks Donna,I increased the height of the hat a little and
                        repositioned the hat on the head.

                        #565717
                        Perry
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                            Thanks stapeliad, I did some measuring and the eyes were too
                            close together and I opened that space up a little.
                            It’s hard to see but the pencil lines are still visible.

                            #565718
                            Perry
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                                Nothing set in stone yet…..just trying to get the feel
                                if these are the colors I want to use. I’ll do the eyes and brows next.
                                The bill of the the hat is still a little off.

                                #565719
                                Perry
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                                    Still in progress.

                                    #565730
                                    water girl
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                                        You are so close to finishing this. Just adjusting the hat in your early stage, made a great difference. Your color choices for the background are working quite nicely.

                                        [FONT="Comic Sans MS"]Karen, IAPS/MC, PSA WC Moderator-Pastels

                                        web site , Getting started in soft pastels., What you need to know, Critique Guide Lines

                                        #565720
                                        Perry
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                                            Thanks Karen.
                                            I’ll finish the ear and let it sit for a few days before finishing

                                            #565725
                                            Alison2
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                                                It’s looking good! :wave:

                                                #565732
                                                Katiepea
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                                                    I’m enjoying seeing your progress here.

                                                    #565721
                                                    Perry
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                                                        I think I’m finished.
                                                        Changed the background to a cooler color.
                                                        Lightened area under bill of cap.
                                                        Added a little more color to the face.
                                                        Fixed ear.
                                                        And warmed the area below chin.

                                                        #565734
                                                        kat_skinner
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                                                            Excellent work!
                                                            Would adding a bit more contrast to/around the eyes help hold the focus there?

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