Returning to portraiture

[Susan Ballinger]

I have painted portraits in the past more as a hobby, and visited here often over the years. I am trying more recently to take serious steps to doing this professionally. I know I still have a long way to go, but am posting a couple of my recent favorites here for any general critiques to improve overall. Thank you.


Susan

[Terri Ficenec]

Hi Susan,
These are very nice! Some things to think about:

1) edges: I see some very hard edges that would read better if softened. For example, in the first portrait, where the blond hair meets the background - that edge is very sharp all the way around and flattens the image, pulling those retreating edges forward. Also in the second portrait where her hair meets his face and where her face meets her hair on the side towards him, where his hair & ear meet and where they meet the background and around the neckline of her shirt.

2) value ranges: the skin reads relatively too light with the very tentative shadows. Deeper shadows on the skin tones would help. There are also some areas that seem to me would be in shadow that are painted very light.for example, his neck under his beard and her neck where it meets her shirt on the side closer to him -- the shirt is in deep shadow there, not so the neck. Similarly,the sides of their faces that are near each other would probably be more in shadow... and the tip & bridge of her nose could use more modeling.

3) Saturation in the skin... It can be a tricky thing finding the right level of saturation in skin tones... but I think a little more color would help. Their skin is reading as virtually white -- at least on my monitor... and the girl in the red shirt's hair I'm guessing could use a little more color & depth?

4) The negative space between them in the 2nd portrait... would suggest toning down the brightness of that green to push that into the background there. . .

By the way, I love the expression you've captured on the little girl!

[Susan Ballinger]

Thanks so much Terri for taking the time to reply! I really appreciate it. The photos washed them out more than they actually are, but I can see how flat it still looks in comparison to where I want them to be. After staring at them for so long its hard to be subjective. I will work harder to apply it to my next paintings.

All I know is I can't stop painting now that I've started again. No one warned me it could become an obsession.


Susan

[Terri Ficenec]

Originally Posted by Susan Ballinger

... No one warned me it could become an obsession.


Susan

It sure can!

[Julie Deane]

Hi and welcome, Susan. I've got the "bug" too. I think maybe painting supplies should come with a warning: Caution! Painting could become an obsession and hazardous to your health!