Boy in question

[Patt Legg]

A great thanks to everyone. You are exactly correct. It is funny after I posted it,I could see the teeth gaps, the nostril uneven, the harshness in the neck and all. Alex, the ears are light because I just have not worked on them but thanks, I realize that the value needs to change. The lips too are indeed too plump.

Grethe, again I seem to trust the old eye and it certainly does not work all the time. That too is why I chose to post here. I really needed (as you all can clearly see) a new insight and fresh eyes to see all of the above. As I had stated in the Creativity section, I had just about given up and was quite depressed about this and his sisters painting as well. Yes, there is one more and no, I am afraid to post it here. I will just start it over.

Thanks to all of you here, I have more zest now to tackle them. When your creativity goes out the door and the every day functions of life seem to be too much, it just gets very difficult as I am sure you all have experienced.

Garth, thanks too for your Photoshop info. I found that animation tool is here on mine. I will need to play with it awhile and see how to use it. One more question on this. I see that I can grid the photos too . I need to figure out how to make both (reference and painting) the exact size and the proportions of the squares on the grid the same too. This would certainly be of much help at times like this. I also wish one could print them with the grid but I do not think that you can keep the grid on them. I share this PC with hubby so I cannot leave it always here .

The week-end will not see much painting with grandson playing ball, etc.so I will post again when I feel I have corrected some of the suggested items.

God Bless
Patt

[Grethe Angen]

Dear Patt,
I think part of your problem is that you accepted to work from such bad reference. Now if it can make you feel any better, I do that too. I am not a professional but a lot of people come and ask me to draw their kids or something from bad photos. I have for the time being 3 such commissions. However I have promised myself never again to accept this kind of photos., in fact I would rather work from life., it is easier.!
Wish you the best result ever on your commission. And in the future you might want to resist to accept these kind of requests too. Promise?

[Enzie Shahmiri]

Dear Pat,

Hang in there, you are on the right track by following the wonderful suggestions given. I used to grid and this has helped me to look strictly at the puzzle shapes that make up the whole. After I was shown how to use the proportional divider, I found that it is a faster and easier way to get the correct placement.
If you search you should be able to find one under $100 dollars. Here is one link

http://www.cgedwards.com/Weems/weems01.html
I now print the desired image in black and white, so I can see the value relationships, then I do a rough sketch, pick one reference point and start measuring. Since the former grid would get painted over, this tool allows you to double check yourself at any stage of the painting. The monitor is now used to zoom in to see details and for color reference.

[Patt Legg]

Thanks so much Enzie and Grethe, this Forum has been a life saver for me and so many others. I have to add that I have had better response this time than ever before here on the Forum and for that I am so grateful.

I will take all into consideration when I proceed. At the moment I have suffered set back with an injured shoulder ( muscle or or tissue damage) , nothing severe but have to take it real easy. Standing or sitting is painful. So I shall return to my painting soon I am sure.

Grethe, I would like to promise you that but I know me. I sometimes think that I can just do anything. I want so much to be so good that I can study and convert any problem areas in a photo. I guess I had better reconsider, huh?

Enzie, I think those would help, not that I know how to use them but common sense tells me how to figure it out. What is the difference in the dividers you show here and the other ones ( $18.99) on the site you sent me? It says Ultralight Divider / Compass.

Thanks again and I shall return

Patt

[Enzie Shahmiri]

Pat, I wish you a fast recovery.!

I don't know the differences between the calibers. The one I suggest is the one that was recommended to me and I love using it. Over the years I have learned to invest in good quality supplies and it is of utmost importance that your measurements don't shift as you begin to work.

With this caliber you take one end and measure lets say the height of the models head. Then you take the other end and adjust the settings until it corresponds with the size that you want the head to be on the canvas. Since I am awful at math, I just keep adjusting both ends until I have it right, but for those not mathematicaly challenged there is a probably a formula. Once you get the right size figured out you tighten the screw and voila all your measurements will correspond.

[Sharon Knettell]

Patt,

I posted this on another thread on how to get a likeness. This may come as a surprise to you but I think you should get a blowup to the size you want to paint and trace it. Put a piece of transparent cellophane on the photo and copy the color. You will learn a lot about form and turn this painting out in a jig.

Many portrait artists trace and project, not all, but even some of the good ones. I was at a dinner with one well known one and he told me did. His paintings were quite accomplished. Many years ago when I was first starting I did this too. This is NOT a good way to start a portrait or figurative career, knowing what I know today, I would not do it that way. There were no ateliers around when I started so I took any path I could.

Most people just want a likeness. Just get it done. Then I would suggest you brush up on your drawing and painting skills from life. Do Bargues, whatever. most good portrait artists worth their salt can paint the same subject from life, but choose to take shortcuts. Projectors and tracing machines have been around for centuries.

[Julie Deane]

Good advice from Sharon.

Tracing is a learning tool. I started out using it a lot when I got back to painting after years away (and quickly learned how much drawing practice I still needed). I don't use it as much now, but will use it to check as I go along to see if any portions of the portrait have "migrated".

[Patt Legg]

Thanks Enzie, Sharon and Julie -I appreciate all advice.

Sharon, it didn't come as a surprise to me about the tracing you see --as that is exactly what I did. I blew up the photo, traced it onto the canvas. That is what you are seeing. Obviously you still see a drawing problem. I think personally the drawing was correct. The loss comes when I started the value study on canvas. You know yourself, the slightest slip of the brush and wa-la, that eye is different than the other or the lips are too fat or curvy. I agree I need more practice drawing. It''s beginning to feel like I indeed began my portrait career too soon as I have sold portraits for the past 7 years at least. This is the first time that I have had one to torture me so.

Thanks again, still dealing with un-usable left arm and yes I am right handed but the slightest twitch of the neck or movement of the left arm sends excruciating pain, so---still no progress on the painting.

Patt

[Sharon Knettell]

Patt,

Treat it like a number painting. Outline all the light and shadow areas very ,very carefully and accurately . Trace the irises and the whites of the eyes, everything. Put a piece of transparent plastic over it and mix each value exactly. Do not make anything up on your own. Do not do an umber wash or underdrawing. Just fill in each area with the exact colr and value.

[Dan Landrie]

Hi
Hope this helps.