This is a painting that I've started of my vet's son holding a chicken that's almost as big as he is- isn't he just the most precious thing you've ever seen? The child has evidently inheirited his father's love of animals and when I saw the photo, I just had to try to paint it (& "try" is the operative word!). I was given permission but now I wonder if I've bitten off more than I can chew!
You all have never seen a portrait of a human from me for a reason - I totally suck at them! But, I'd really like to finish this one and do well with it. So may I please get some advice from those of you who do such wonderful portrait work?
You can tell that this isn't finished but I've run into some problems. The main thing is the shadow work - there are several very deep shadows on this fair-haired child but when I add them, he just looks dirty. I've tried browns, red-browns, violets (purple ranges) and some green underpainting. So, my main question is - how do I get those luscious deep shadows without the painting looking dirty or just downright weird?
Secondly, how do I keep the portrait fresh looking - the face especially looks as if it has makeup on it? I'm seriously debating washing it all off and starting again but I know if I do, I won't ever go back to it. BTW - this is pastel on Ampersand PastelBord.
I hope someone will answer but I won't be able to get back to this for a at least a week as I have a lot of things on the calendar for the foreseeable future. I doubt that I'll even be able to post any more here for a time either.
Sooooo, think about it and please offer any suggestions you think might help - maybe with your suggestions and some fresh eyes, I can finally say I've painted a portrait - a human portrait!
No comments:
Post a Comment