Oil of youngest son

Lon Haverly · 04-15-2005, 08:17 PM

Hi all! Been busy, but I did this oil this week and thought I would post it for your critique. It is a risky painting, with the lighting and all. I wanted a high contrast setup for a flashy kind of guy. I photographed it in my studio with a single light source.

20" x 16"

Close ups to follow.

Thanks

Lon Haverly · 04-15-2005, 08:48 PM

Close up of eyes

Lon Haverly · 04-15-2005, 08:51 PM

Close of mouth

Lon Haverly · 04-15-2005, 08:53 PM

Reference photo

Jen Reinstadler · 04-15-2005, 09:50 PM

In other posts you admitted that you usually project your photo when you paint portraits. This one looks wonderfully painterly. Did you project this one as well?

Lon Haverly · 04-15-2005, 10:10 PM

Hi, Jen! Thanks! Yes, I admit it. I actually print out a black and white, full canvas-sized, tiled image and transfer it with graphite paper. I like that better than an overhead projector. I don't usually tell my clients that, but I don't have to prove to myself that I can draw.

Even, still, with a transfer, just as with a brushed drawing on the raw canvas, you have to use your eye as the image gets blurred out with the initial paint. I pretty much destroy the layout as I throw the pain on.