Portrait of Mike
 

This is a recent portrait I just finished for the Holidays. It is a gift for a family member.

Portrait of Mike
 

This is the photo that I used for this portrait.

Hi Bryan,

Just a couple of things I noticed. His right shoulder is too wide and too high. Also, the shape of his hair, particularly on his right side, is too flat.

I suggest you get a sheet of clear acetate and a fine black marking pen and trace the important lines from the photo. You can then hold it up in front of your painting at a distance and see for yourself exactly where those lines should go.

You certainly have a likeness but the disadvantages of your source photo are that it is taken front on, the image is tilted and it is lit by flash, all of which makes the job a lot harder. ;)

Reply
 

Hello Margaret,

Thank you for your great advice. I never thought of using that method to see the correct perspective and lines.

You're right, the source photo I used was only a 5" x 7" and the face measured only 1 inch on the photo surface. I guess given the information in the photo I didn't do too badly, but next time I will defintely utilize a better photo. Again thanks for your guidance.

Bryan

Just remember, this section is called "Unveilings." That means no critiques. If you would like your painting critiqued, Bryan, please let me know and I can move it to the appropriate section.

Hi Bryan,

My apologies for putting a critique here. I realised after I posted that I was in the Unveiling section with NO CRITIQUES in capitals but of course by then I did not know how to "undo".

Regarding using small photos as reference, I try to enlarge them on a photocopier or by scanning by at least 200% You lose detail and they get a bit broken up but you can read for tone and shape a lot easier. Also if you scan them, you can manipulate darkness and light so you can see into shadows. I also have read somewhere on this site the suggestion that you can put a dark photo onto a lightbox to see into the shadows, but I haven't tried that trick yet. I use a really strong magnifier as well, depending on how much detail I want.

Happy painting. :)