Underpainting of Bubba

Rebecca Willoughby · 10-27-2002, 11:20 AM

This is the first oil painting that I have attempted in a long time. I had a bad medical problem with oils that prevents me from using them. After reading Karin Wells' posts about Genesis oils I started experimenting with them. This is the first portrait painting I am attempting with these new paints. This painting is of Bubba Dunn. He is a national champion, and record holder for the PBR (Professional Bull Riders for all of you noncowboys). His agent contacted me for this portrait. The logo on his shirt is for Mossy Oak. They are a camoflage company and his major sponsor. This painting may end up in their corporate offices. It is mounted on board. The finished size is 16 x 20. The plaid shirt was necessary for the logo. I had a choice to paint plaid or camo. I chose plaid. He is leaning on a pull gate from a rodeo arena. I am open to any suggestions as well as digital manipulation. It has been awhile since I have done this.

Thanks,
Rebecca

Enzie Shahmiri · 10-27-2002, 11:32 AM

Congratulations Rebecca!

What a nice commission to receive.

I really like his pose and his expressive eyes. The thing that caught my attention would be the hand, it is somewhat flat and could benefit from more variation of values and addition of highlights. Please post the original reference, it makes it easier to see the problem areas.

Hope this helps.

Rebecca Willoughby · 10-27-2002, 09:00 PM

Thanks Enzie,

I definitely plan on revisiting the hand. The reference photo is actually a couple of photos. I will try to get them scanned in and post them. I am going to get my husband to pose his hand as a reference. She saw the image as-is and said. "Oh my. It looks like he could breath." That really gave me a boost.

Rebecca

Dale Shipman · 10-30-2002, 09:53 PM

Rebecca,

You have a great start on a powerful portrait. It's a nice relaxed pose with a sense of toughness and determination showing on his face. I agree with Enzie about the hand and I have copied it to Photoshop and tried some of my ideas with it. I tried working some form on the hand and on the gate. When I zoomed in on the face it appeared to me that the lower lash of his right eye may be a little too heavy. If it were to be lightened up like the left eye then I think it may help.

Rebecca Willoughby · 10-30-2002, 10:18 PM

Thanks Dale,

I like what you did with the hand. I had a little trouble duplicating the light source with my husband so that he could pose for me. We may have to make a trip to the rodeo arena this weekend. I think I will "smooth out" the gate. It is old and beat up. The paint is peeling off in several places. Hopefully this reference photo will show that. I just think it would be too hard to make that look right. This reference is just one of the pictures that I have used for the final piece. Thanks for the input and for taking the time to "fix" it!

Rebecca