Maria in acrylic

Holly Snyder · 03-05-2003, 09:28 PM

Hi,

I've recently joined the Forum, and this is my first painting posted for critique. It is 16"x 12", acrylic on Masonite board. It's from a direct flash photo, which is why the depth in her face is a little lacking. I kept her surroundings bold (even though I've read it shouldn't be done), as I thought it enhanced the innocence of the picture. I have already given the portrait away, but am looking forward to some straightforward criticism that I can learn from in the future.

Thanks in advance,
Holly

Holly Snyder · 03-05-2003, 09:31 PM

Here is a closeup of Maria's face.

Leslie Bohoss · 03-12-2003, 07:47 AM

Hi Holly,

I am not qualified to critique your painting, but I wanted to tell you that this is beautiful!

Both painting and baby.

Even without the source picture, I bet you have a super likeness, and captured the moment. I believe skintones with shadows in acrylic are harder to master than in oil (at this level!).

I like the sunlight on her face (left side from us).

Best wishes,
Leslie

Holly Snyder · 03-12-2003, 12:02 PM

Thanks Leslie for the kind comments. Yes, I believe acrylics are more work than oil to achieve the blended effect because of their fast drying time, although I may be wrong as I haven't tried oils yet. Being able to paint over an area in a short amount of time is a blessing, however.

I like the side sunlight too, however alot of that effect got washed out with the full front flash. The photo wasn't the best, but was adequate. I'm struggling a little to find source material. I need to find the courage just to simply ask people whom I'd like to paint.

Holly

Richard Huante · 03-12-2003, 04:10 PM

Hi Holly,

Just my 2 cents (less in some states) on your painting.

Really the only thing that bothers me is the large, yellow piece above the girl. The brightness detracts from the girl's face. Changing the color or omitting it altogether would help retain the center of interest.

Other than that, it's a great piece. Even with the flash photo source, I still get a sense of roundness on the girl's face, through your use of values. Great job on the sweater and hands also.

I'm sure the client/recipient is very happy. Good job!

Holly Snyder · 03-12-2003, 04:40 PM

Hi Richard,

Your reference to the "large, yellow piece" makes me smile, it's like saying that big unidentifiable yellow blob. And what's a big yellow blob doing in a painting?

It's part of the kids playset but apparently not too obvious. I'll take your observation into consideration next time, thank you. Thanks for the comments.

Cheers,
Holly

Richard Huante · 03-12-2003, 05:18 PM

Hi Holly,

I knew what the "large yellow piece" was, but didn't know the correct name for it. I really need to brush up on my architectual terminology. Big Yellow Blob it is!

Anyways, great painting!

Josef Sy · 03-12-2003, 08:01 PM

Hi Holly,

Wow! This is acrylic? Amazing. I cannot remember the last time I use acrylics in painting other than painting my home. I have a hard time using acrylics because of their quick drying properties. Do you use retarders? And I am curious to know your technique.

You have really done a great job. Continue doing so...

Marvin Mattelson · 03-12-2003, 08:28 PM

Holly, you are exceptionally talented and quite skilled. I think that working in acrylics will hold back your great potential.

I worked in acrylics for many years (in fact Step by Step Graphics Magazine did a big step by step article on my procedure). I was very stubborn and insisted that the medium was at least as good as oils.

Then one day I saw the light. When I encountered my first original Bouguereau painting, I saw the incredible subtlety he was able to achieve. I went home put all my acrylics into a box and then went out and bought oils. Even though I had never used oils before the first time I used them I was able to cut my painting time in HALF. Oils are much easier to use and far more flexible than acrylics. I don't want to post a painting of mine on your critique page but if you're interested in seeing one of my acrylic illustrations here's a link to one posted on my web site.

http://www.fineartportrait.com/mtv_plughead.html

Holly Snyder · 03-13-2003, 01:15 PM

Thanks Josef. My technique, if you could call it that, is mostly just alot of patience. I haven't tried retarders, I don't usually do any wet-on-wet unless it is a large area with gradual changes, such as a backdrop background, or an arm. I usually have about three mixing areas on my palette, light, medium and dark.

I just mix as I need and apply, adding hints of another color to the mix and applying to make gradients. I quickly blend the edges out with the brush, I think it's called scumbling. Glazing is another method I use for creating gradual variations. I also use the tried and true finger method for smearing out edges.

If I make a mistake, I can usually just wait a couple minutes, or stick the painting in front of a fan until it dries, to make changes. Anyway, probably sounds like a lot of wasted time to you oil painters!

Marvin, thanks for the confidence booster. I'd be interested in your article in Step by Step, if it's available anywhere. I didn't see anything on dgusa.com.

So do you now have a certain affinity to or complete avoidance of wallplates, given your intimate knowledge of them? That would be an awful lot of work to make them so crisp and metallic. Ingenious piece.

I would like to try oils for the luminosity that I think could be achieved, however I'm afraid my learning curve would not be so quick as yours. The way I currently paint in acrylics would create brown mush with oils. After I learn form and coloring better (and hopefully make some money to finance the switch), I'll give oils a try.

By the way, your reply came at an interesting time yesterday as I was using for reference the face detail of the portrait of Jamie you posted on 6/21/02. I'm working on a little girl painting from a bad photo, and I couldn't see her eye form. (I know, bad photos are a waste of time.) Jamie's eyes were similar in lighting and were superb in detail. I hope you don't mind. Also, after following the progression of the "Critique & Anger" thread, I'm convinced I need to do some life studies. So I'll try a self-portrait next, instead of a sub-par photo.

Thanks again to everyone who replied.

Regards,
Holly