Self Portrait in oil

[Neil Ridley]

Hello,

This is a self portrait in oil, 20" x 24" on stretched canvas. Digital demo and all comments very welcome.

Thank you
Neil Ridley

[Mike Dodson]

Hi Neil,

First of all, I admire anyone who has the guts to try a self-portrait. I did one once before and came off looking like Robert Redford, which my wife thoroughly enjoyed but just wasn't me (of course).

Looks like you've managed to capture your likeness to a large degree but I'll make a few observations for your consideration.

The lips: One thing I have discovered working from life vs. photo's is that the lips in particular read as very defined around the edges when in reality they blend into the flesh color very delicately. When the edges are sharp they tend to appear as if one is wearing lipstick, so I might soften them a bit. Also, I think your upper lip is a bit too thick. I would trim it down some. Also widen the mouth some to our right. Line it up with the outside edge of the iris. I would also lighten the eyelashes on the eye to our left to help it recede more since the head is turned in that direction. Currently, the eyes appear to be on the same plane.

One other point, I would darken the lighted portion of the background to at least a value that is darker than the light values in the flesh. I think that it is currently so bright that it is distracting from the subject.

Good luck with this and I hope this helps. Please keep us updated.

[Steven Sweeney]

G

[Neil Ridley]

Thank you,

[font=Times New Roman][size=3][color=#000000]Thank you for your critique, I especially found the demonstration showing the comparison of dark value shapes to be very enlightening. It