My first oil painting
 

Here is my First!

I am anxious to know what you think, but I think I'm even more nervous.
Here it is:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/i...02/Branch1.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/i...02/Branch2.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/i...02/Branch3.jpg

Allow me to introduce myself!

My name is Mark Branscum, I am a pencil artist, but this is my first painting.

I live in Macon, GA, well, actually Warner Robins GA. Anyway, I can't tell you how much I am enjoying this journey of learning portraiture.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this painting. The subject is Bob Branch's Father. Bob Branch has a Flower shop in Phoenix, AZ.

Many years ago I did a pencil of this very subject, which was my first commission work.

I knew then that I wanted to do portraits but it seems that life took me another direction.
Not sure if Bob Branch is even out there anymore but as much as they enjoyed the pencil I wonder what he would think of the painting.

At any rate, I thought it fitting to return to my first commission for my first oil.

Mark

Well! Is it that bad that know one wants to say anything?

Mark :)

No worries...
 

Mark,

This is GREAT! Your first try with oils! I have just a little more experience than you but not much. Your first attempt went well!

I know I refrain from giving too many critiques because I am not sure I have the expertise. And being a fairly new member as well, I am a little nervous to spit things out that may be wrong and regrettable.

But don't worry, you did great here! And don't forget while you may not get replies for some time, or ever... there are hundreds of other posts that will be of use to you! This is really one of the greatest 'classes' because other members ask questions and make statements you may have never thought of, and the threads are incredible. So enjoy, it's a fantastic site!

Mark,

A good effort here, a lot of things well done at this stage. I looked at this a little while ago and wasn

Thanx for the reply, Steven.

I'll take into consideration some of the points you brought out about the shadow.

Though in the reference pic it really isn't there, it's just the warm tone that I painted, but this is maybe a problem of the picture and perhaps one should be there.

The round object to the right is going to be a saw blade, it will go darker, as so not to be such a distraction.

Thanx on the compliments for tonal quality. I have already figured a lot of things I would do diferently on the next one. Being the first, consider it good training ground and chalk it up as experience.

Oh the white space above... no, you're not looking out into a snowy yard. It's more wall with shelfing that hasn't been painted in yet.

All in all, I am well pleased with this first effort, and with some practice with color I am looking forward to the next one already. Each one is another step in the journey... the fun part is enjoying the ride.

Mark

That's a good plan, and I'd take the whole background way down in value as well. Play with the light on the saw blade. There's going to be a bit of reflection on the flat surface (nothing as light as the lights in your figure), and from a few of the filed-tooth surfaces. (Don't even try to paint in every single tooth.) Another thought - how about a handsaw or an old buck saw on that back wall, one the shape of which wouldn't be similar to the shape of the face and head?

That's an idea on the handsaw or something else back there.

I have taken the background down in value! Thanx for the input there. Also, the one eye underneath seems a bit on the puffy side. I have painted in the shelf and that helps frame in the hat more. Still playing the tonal quality of the flesh under the brim of the hat, I am matching what's in the pic pretty close though. I suppose I could go more with it, but it wouldn't be the same. I got it pretty much on now.

I will wait till I update it, so the changes can be seen; perhaps I have it enough.

Mark

Very good for a first portrait!

I agree with Steven that the circle (saw blade?) to the right of the head is distracting. I also think you should tone down the backgroung to make the person stand out.

You might want to check out the shape of the palette on the hat, it seems a little distorted.

You did a very good job on the face, good detail, nice skin color.

I'll start with saying for a first painting, it's OK. I think Steve has made some good comments. I started writing a post, but I am just no good at trying to explain what I mean in words.

So I will just say, watch your values, and really look at the shapes and try and soften the wrinkles.

And most of all keep painting.