Acrylic Portrait
 

Recently I have been experimenting with acrylic paints, I like the quick drying time that this medium provides. One thing that bothers me a little about this medium is that the colors always appear slightly darker as they dry. I used a stippling technique to model the face, the only time I used solid strokes was in the early block in stages, and while painting the hair and clothing.

This portrait was painted on a hardboard panel primed with Gesso measuring 16 X 22 inches.

Dear Henry,

Thanks for posting this portrait! I am so intrigued with the close-up and would like to see an even closer shot.

Is stippling something you have done before? It looks like a very slow and gradual process - did you happen to take any in-process pictures? Aslo are there other areas of the painting that are likewise stippled?

Hi Henry,
I have been trying to find some information on a Danish Portrait painter named Thomas Kluge, I think that he might interest you.
He is famous around here, painted the Queen and others.
I can not figure out how he paints, but anyway here is one of his acrylic portraits.

Allan

Henry, congratulations on a beautiful portrait.

I've never seen acrylics handled in such a soft manner, with no "edginess". It almost looks like a pastel. I'm not sure what you mean by stippling, do you work in layers here?

Hi Henry,
Congratulations! I like the sensuality of this artwork! At a glance, the color and mood sends a very warm feeling inside me. The only thing that affects me is the neck being too thick, and the value of the breast being similar to the face...it distracts my attention away from her face! (oops...that doesn't sound good! :oops: )

I thought it would help you, if you'd consider toning down the values of the breast and her right shoulder ( the one away from us), so the attention can be more on her face, and slimming down the neck thickness a little.
cheers!

Hello Henry,

I too, have never seen acrylic done so softly. When I started painting again about 4 years ago, I only had acrylic fabric paint left over from my quilting business. Edges were impossible as the paint dried in about ten minutes! This is lovely, soft and sensual. I'd also like to see an extreme close-up, I've seen stippling done with graphite and charcoal, but never acrylic.

Jean

A closer look
 

Hello Chris,

This is my first attempt at an acrylic portrait, I was always intimidated by this medium because it is so difficult to blend, the stippling technique seems to work pretty well in creating soft edges. This technique isnt as slow as one might suspect, because the facial area is first blocked in with a solid flat wash in the mid-value range. This block in is a good starting point because everything that follows after is either lighter or darker, similar to oil painting. Actually I liked the stippling better than painting in the large masses, somehow it relaxes me.

Allan,

Thank you for posting that outstanding portrait, I really like the way the subjects lighted, light coming from both sides, the shadow on the center of the face creates a very dramatic look. I definately will have to paint a portrait with that type of lighting someday, very inspiring.

Linda

Thank you for the compliment, stippling is painting with tiny small dots, or scratch like marks, a gradual build up until the desired effect is acheived. Yes I did apply one layer over another, it seems like you can create very subtle effects this way. I compare this type of painting technique similar to the French painter "Seraut", who lived in the time of the great impressionists. Seraut was a great master I'm rookie
at this technique.

Marcus

Thanks for the compliment and your input. Your right the neck does look a little thick, maybe if I apply more shadow to the neck it will take on a slimmer appearance. You have a very keen eye, and I will tone down some of those values.

Hi Jean

Thank you, I know what you mean about painting edges with acrylics they are impossible, thats why I tried the stippling. I never painted a solid line on the face, except maybe the pupil of the eye and eyelashes. The colors and values always remain broken, then when you stand back at a distance the eye blends everything together creating the soft appearance. I'm posting a larger closeup so you can have a better look.

Closer view
 

Here are a couple of close ups. The over all color appears a little to yellow gold to be exact on these two pics, well at least on my monitor. I hope you can see the texture.