Portrait of my mom from life

[Sharon Knettell]

Ps.

Squint more so the forms are more integrated.

This device will help you with the measuring as I see there are issues with the measurement of the left side and the right jaw.

http://www.jerrysartarama.com/art-su.../0032839000000

[Sharon Knettell]

I don't know if you work relative size or sight size.

Sight size is a great way to do figures, portraits etc. You place your canvas next to your subject. It seems a bit awkward at fist, but you can stand back and compare the painting to the subject. You can measure carefully with this method also.

Here is a thread discussing it. There are more. Just put 'Sight Size" in this sites search engine.

I find it a very convenient way to work. In school with a lot of other students it may not be possible tho'.

http://forum.portraitartist.com/show...ght=Sight+Size

[Linda Brandon]

Paul, I also really like the direct honesty and painterly technique evident in this painting. Please keep doing them.

However, you need to put this three-quarter view head into perspective as if it were a cube in space, which involves (among other things) raising the western outside corner of the mouth (even if she is frowning a little bit). There are two planes here, the frontal plane of the head and the side plane - the planes need to recede somewhat to appear to be a convincing mass.There's a good discussion of this by William Maughan in this book.

[Sharon Knettell]

Great advice Linda!

I would suggest you get your black and white drawing nailed before you try color.

Greats like Sargent and Degas were not allowed to touch color until they mastered form.

[Sharon Knettell]

PS. It is brilliant that you are working from life. That is much harder to do than from photographs. You have made a GREAT beginning!

[Paul Moston]

Sharon and Linda thanks for all of your advice. I did notice that the perspective was off in it's early stages. Usually when I'm painting a portrait it takes me a while to get all the proportions in order. I usually just draw the eyes and then start blocking the right color in and going from there. I really need to get all the form first. This will def. make it a lot easier on me. My painting was tilted on and angle and was leaning on a gallon water jug. Not sure if this could have messed up the perspective at all the way the portrait was tilted? Any way enough excuses, I just need to concentrate on the form and be more precise with the proportions right away to make it easier on my self.

[Sharon Knettell]

A gallon water jug!? That's a new one one me.

The tilt or angle really does affect the painting. It must be absolutely perpendicular and not angled in any way.