Hands
 

Hello,

Just finished (?) this painting. Canvas is 50 x 60 cm or 19.7" x 23.6" . Original by Ben Sowards. Found on a HP in Utah. I haven't more. :(

I've choosed this motif as a practice , especially hands and skintones.
I did an underpainting too, but later decided to paint directly using a new palette (for me). Cad orange+ Ultramarine Blue was my "colored gray" what I used as basic "dull" skintone. On demand mixed with Vermillion + Yellow ochre or Burnt Sienna and Viridian. Of course Titanium and Zinc White. Medium : selfmade Maroger (wow!) and a traditional mix of 1/3 Dammar, 1/3 Turp, 1/3 linen oil.

Anyway, recently did so much on mixing colors, I dreaming with tubes and knifes.... :) Last time I dream cad-free.... :D

Please, pick it apart!
Nice day, Leslie

Dear Leslile,

You have really worked hard and it shows! I think that it might be easier for people to critique if they could see your source.

Thank you Chris,

Here is the original reference , painted by Ben Sowards (www.bensowards.com the galery in Utah still not found.)

Now I see some (lol) flaws in my version, it seems that I have really problems with proportions at a bigger canvas. Should I use this layering help by PC Software? Hmmm.

PS: Ben is a very kindly gentleman and giving the permission to post his original work: "Anticipation"

Thanks for viewing!

leslie-

seems to me as though you are fighting an uphill battle. you can't be sure that the anatomy is correct, as you are copying another's interpretation of the subject. it is hard to tell because of the small image, but i can tell you that in the original, it appears as though it is void of any color variation. hands have a lot of color, so i'd keep that in mind. good luck.

Hello Jeffrey,

You mean the narrow range of hues, isn't? Just this was the challenge for me.

Chris would be say: an analogous color harmony at beige.

Hmm, my version has mud colors, I can to try to repair it with glazing.

Thanks! Leslie.

After Glazing
 

Well, I tried with some glazing layer to make living my dead colors. I 've altered some forms too. I hope it is better as before.

Thanks for all!
Cheers....

The focal point in most figurative pieces will almost always be the face, regardless of the composition. We seem to be just wired to focus on that area when there are images of people to look at. I see one or two sections of the face that I'd work on a bit more. The nose seems a bit too long and pointy, though it looks as though you have shortened it and made it less pointy than it was the first time you posted it. Also the mouth seems somewhat turned down, to give her a sour expression. Look closely and the lips and the areas surrounding them. I think these two changes will go a long way toward your goal.

Hello Michele,

Yes , I changed some points on the face. I saw it is smaller (horizontally) at the original. I'll repaint her profile. I've too much time invested, you are right, it has to be.
Thank you!