I’m blaming Laura Starrett for making me want to try portraits again. I just don’t have the light touch and the eyes are always too outlined and dark - and I can find lots wrong with this but...it’s practice and I never practice portraits enough to get really good at it. Wish I could paint them like Laura does - she has a light touch and I have a heavy touch (and how does Ted Nuttall do his splotchy portraits? - would like to try that but not sure how that works with just circles of color dropped in to make the shapes).
Oh, well...another one or two to come - just practice and more brush miles...this one is about 1/4 sheet Arches 140# cold press. Arches and Fabriano are still my favorite papers.
Ha. I'll take the blame (and thanks for the nice comments about my recent portraits!)
ReplyDeleteNice colors, and beautiful work on the lips!
I am finding that strong lighting that really defines the planes of the face helps me see how to model it.
I took a workshop with Ted Nuttal years ago (6? 7?): never learned how to do the "sloppy dots" but I think 75% of his success in lighting the model!
I like your touch, I find your portraits quite expressive and real.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laura. I don’t often spend time on portraits but admire them so much. Yes, you need that strong lighting to get it right and it helps see the facial planes. I can draw a face better than I can paint it but, again, practice!! ha ha. Sloppy dots = I like that definition of what he does.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for taking the time to send such a nice comment, Uli. I have checked out your blog (briefly) and will return to see what you are doing!