Sometimes I have a hard time with a piece (have I mentioned that before?) and I have to take a break from it and return to it. Sometimes I just have to start over. I've been trying to figure out what to do with this one. I'm really happy with how Tom (left) is coming along- I think he'll be really good once I tweak a few of the shadows. I really like how the picture of Scott (right) works with Tom, but I'm struggling to capture him successfully.
I mentioned before that I think the captivating part of these portraits are their eyes. When they're closed or squinty, they don't have the same effect. I really want to make this one work though. I just keep painting and painting though and it's not getting to where I want it.
TO DO:
Tom- shadows around right eye and mouth, make contrasts more subtle
chin too big?
Scott- ??
Eyes- up the contrast
L Eye, open up more and round out undershadow
left cheek- make more interesting?
Hair- refine
Build frames
PLAYLIST:
M Ward
Thom Yorke - The Eraser
Galactic- Coolin' Off
The Piano soundtrack
Posts
Don't you find that the break/return scenario is true with so many things in life, especially those with any percentage of creativity? And if I may go macro, I would even suggest that the sleep/wake cycle allows and encourages the very same process across the broad spectrum of human activity. OK...a little heavier than intended when I started the response, but there it is. ~Yab
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment- the break/return cycle as you put it DOES apply for many things. Sometimes I wish it was as simple as having a "reset" button so my mind could return to seeing things fresh. Sometimes if you look too close at something, you start to not see it anymore.
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