Painter sketch

Tried using Painter X.

Haven't touched the program for a long time since Photoshop has become so easy to work in lately.

I decided I wanted to explorer what Painter does best, various brush options and effects.

Every time I use it, I wonder why I don't use it more often.

It's AWESOME!

I'm considering using it for my book projects.

Scott Wade - Dirty Car Art

Found out about this artist who paints pictures on dirty (dusty) cars.
Scott Wade is the name of the artist.

Kind of like scratch boards (whick I liked when I tried them out). I've always enjoyed the technique of "taking away" rather than "adding" myself. I've used this technique even in Photoshop and Painter. I'd use the eraser to paint (wow, that sounds weird...).

Actually, now thinking back, I had first learned the technique when I was like 15 or something. I was taking drawing classes on Sundays and during the summer breaks.
Using charcoal and bread (as the eraser) was the standard technique they taught. It was all about light and shadow, and volume without drawing any outlines.
I'd establish the measurement, then put down the light and shadow, and slowly forming the volume of the shapes by putting down and taking away the charcoal powder on the paper.

For a while, after moving to the States, I purposely tried to shed the habits I'd picked up in those classes. Back then, I felt that the habits (techniques) I knew were holding me back from creating art freely and being creative. I made myself use more prominent outlines and bold shapes. But I guess somewhere in my art side of the brain still exists the Japanese drawing techniques, that I now feel can do good for my art sometimes.

Artpad

Lightly slacking during the day, found this fun activity.
Doodling site called ArtPad.
Had fun painting for a while. Thought I saved it and emailed it to myself, but what I received was a blank canvas. Grrrrrrrrhhh.
It was a stupid doodle, but still I kind liked replaying it back to watch the painting being made, by me... Oh well.

Portrait Project Final

Here it is. The portrait of James May has been finally completed.

It took me a long time to finish it, but the actual time that was spent couldn't have been more than 10 hours.

I'm still not sure if it's "done". But you have to let it go, or it would never be "done".

My other concern was, does it look like him? Again, I don't know anymore. I've been staring at it for way too long...

I should add his photo.

I should just move on and leave it alone.

I'm trying to decide what to draw/paint/make next.

Portrait Project #3

Another 1.5 hours or so have been spent.


Mostly added shadow and more volume to the hair at the top (higher hair!).


The hair needs much more work. I'm not sure what more I can do to the actual face, other than refining the details and smoothing the overall surface.

Portrait Project #2

I put another few hours (about 2 hours) into the portrait last night.

I started putting colors down.

He has pink areas in the center of the face, but the rest is pretty much pasty white. I'm trying not to give the skin tone too much hue, but keeping it pale.

The feel of this piece will be classical, noble & quiet yet strong. So far, I see first three keywords being covered (well enough for this stage of the project), but not the last one. It is lacking the strong presence of the subject, which is the primary purpose of most portraits. Hopefully, as I layer more colors and add details, more character will be added.

The next step will be to put down more dramatic darks and lights. It might have been easier if I did this first, but I guess I got myself caught up in studying the skin tone. So, I'm going to make myself go back and work on that. A huge no-no in the traditional Japanese art principle. Darks and lights first, details later. Ya ya ya, I know this. I had too much fun doing the skin tone and two hours were passing by like crazed bike messengers downtown. Bad me.

The other thing I noticed is that his hair needs to be taller on the top. Depending on the photo you find of him, but his hair is usually done in the 80s rock star style, longish, biggish... Will fix that.

Because I'm not using a single photo as the reference, the process has been less simpler than eyeing and recreating what I see exactly. The hair would be a bit of trouble for me, I know. But can be fun at the same time.

Stay tuned and follow the progress.

Portrait Project #1

I've decided that I want to do a portrait as my next project. It would be a classical portrait with the oil painting-like look and feel.

The subject is a British TV personality, James May. Me and Sidney are huge Top Gear fans, and it was just natural for me to pick one of the hosts as the subject of my project.

I have begun drawing out a rough comp, trying to decide on the composition. So this is the very first stage of the project.

The next stage would be to start putting colors down. I think I would do the face first, then depending on how it looks I will decide what sort of clothes to put him in. Right now, I'm thinking 1800s sea captain outfit with standing collars and a bow, but I may change my mind later. It will be some kind of sea captain outfit because of James May's nickname, "Captain Slow".

I will be posting the progress of this project.