Portrait of my mom from life

Paul Moston · 08-31-2007, 02:17 AM

This is 11x14 oil on canvas. Almost done, want to work on it one more night before i go back to school.

Allan Rahbek · 08-31-2007, 03:10 PM

Hi Paul,
it's a great portrait of your mother. I like the quiet colors.

Alexandra Tyng · 09-01-2007, 09:37 AM

Paul, I agree with Allan that this is a lovely portrait. It is painted with feeling, and you have captured the soul and external features of a real person with character and expression.

Thomasin Dewhurst · 09-01-2007, 11:30 AM

Very sensitive portrait, Paul. It reminds me of Stanley Spencer with its unembellished brush marks, its honesty and its appreciation of physiognomy.

Sharon Knettell · 09-03-2007, 08:21 AM

Paul,

I will agree with those who say that this is a beautiful and strong portrait.

However, let me point out a few things that might help you in the future.

The left side is a bit too strong- and perhaps wide. It need to be a bit softer and narrower to turn.

Here is a trick I use with skin-tones. I mix my paint and bring a knife full of paint right up to the face to match it. There are more colors in a face than you can imagine. You are going from light orange to dark orange.

This may not be kosher in the world of academic painting, but it has worked for me.

Sharon Knettell · 09-03-2007, 08:26 AM

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 · 09-03-2007, 11:08 AM

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 · 09-03-2007, 12:00 PM

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 · 09-03-2007, 03:31 PM

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 · 09-03-2007, 03:33 PM

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!