Too much information?

Kimberly Dow · 08-05-2003, 01:11 AM

After learning so many great tips here, I am attempting a portrait using a fairly good reference photo, rather than the horrible ones I usually have. It's just for me, not a commission and not for my portfolio necessarily.

I am finding it harder than before to get this one right. First it was the skin color, shadows, etc. that were all wrong, then when I felt I was fairly close I see the likeness of the person was compromised. That has never been a problem before. I still haven't gotten it yet. I'm becoming very frustrated.

I've always just painted, not really paid any attention to how. When I did learn it was from videos and it was easy to apply. Now, I'm reading tips and trying to keep it all in mind and it is bogging me down I think.

I'm hoping that it is more difficult because my standards have gone up and in the end it will be one of my best.

Peter Jochems · 08-05-2003, 04:57 AM

One of the problems of people who think they are learning something from this forum is that you get the information in bits and pieces, written on a computer screen instead of shown in real life and the information can be very contradictory. There often is no consistency.

The forum is not a teacher, just a source of information.

Peter

Michele Rushworth · 08-05-2003, 11:02 AM

I am one of the many people who have learned a lot from this forum, and it has shown in my work.

For an example of how bad I was two years ago, look at the the very first submission in the critique sections, the portrait of the older man. Then compare that with the face of the teenage boy in the portrait of the two figures on the stairs, on my website, which I feel is the best I have done to date. All the knowledge I used to paint that teenager's portrait was learned on this forum. I still have miles and miles to go, of course, and I expect to never stop learning and trying new things.

I know what you mean about it all seeming overwhelming at some times. You're probably feeling this way because you are growing and changing and improving.

You may want to try concentrating on one thing for each portrait you do. For one portrait, concentrate on nailing the drawing perfectly. For the next portrait, focus on values. For the one after that, concentrate on color temperatures. Then work on edges, etc. It is sometimes too much to try and implement all at the same time!

Mike McCarty · 08-05-2003, 01:34 PM

Quote:

I'm hoping that it is more difficult because my standards have gone up and in the end it will be one of my best.

Kim, I think you have answered your own question.

Quote:

All the knowledge I used to paint that teenager's portrait was learned on this forum.

Michele, my experience has been much the same.

Cynthia Daniel · 08-05-2003, 02:06 PM

Thanks, Michele and Mike. It makes all this hard work worthwhile for me and the moderators!

Kimberly Dow · 08-05-2003, 04:07 PM

Michele,

Thank you, that may be just the answer..one thing at a time. The hard part is now that I am more aware of more, how can I concentrate on say, value...and then step back, notice the edges and not try to nail those as well? I wiped out that face mentioned above today and will start over. I need to be more patient. I guess I'm just suprised at hard it seems. I've usually learned things quickly. The point Peter makes is valid - there is so much information here, but it isn't a video so it may be harder to ingest and apply. Seeing someone actually make the brush stroke is clearer than seeing a before and after photo.

Cynthia, thank you. The biggest thing I have learned here so far is how to see problems I did not notice before. I guess my standards are higher. Which means I expect more from myself - which is the source of this present frustration.

There is a certain amount of, not exactly 'competitive spirit', but at least a desire not to be humiliated here. This is a good thing for me personally. I like it because I can feel that pushing me towards improvement.

Michele Rushworth · 08-05-2003, 04:27 PM

I find that the more I know, the more I realize what I don't know!

Kimberly Dow · 08-05-2003, 04:38 PM

How frustrating! We get better, but our self-esteem goes down.

After a visit from a friend who has an over-exaggerated ego about her looks, my husband asked "wouldn't you rather I tell you the truth if those pants make your rear look big?" My answer was "No! I'd rather be unrealistically confident and happy with myself!" In the case of painting though, it's different. After all, I can improve my painting, my rear is mom's fault.

Kimberly Dow · 08-05-2003, 04:45 PM

Michele,

I tried to find your first post and could not. I wanted to see the extent of improvement. I tried listing the oil critiques from the begining by the starter?

Jean Kelly · 08-05-2003, 08:42 PM

Kimberly,

I developed a plan for myself after reading hundreds of posts on the how-tos of everything. Each exercise I did had a specific purpose. A limited palette in one, toned canvas in another, edges, drawing from life, conte crayon, warm and cool color and where to put it, and on and on.

I've had some failures and some successes, but in every case I learned something important. If you take one thing at a time you will build a pyramid of knowledge that grows and grows.

Like Michele, I believe that a "self directed" student can learn an immense amount on a forum like this (and this is the best). You won't get the superficial wows, but with your patience and hard work you will get as much out as you put in. So chill out and put your nose to the grindstone, DaVinci had to learn too.

Jean