Portrait critique
2yr
Matthew Marshall
Hello community. I’m working on a digital portrait and need some feedback. Would love advice on how to make the piece feel more “finished”. Whether it’s brushes or techniques. If anyone notices anything like values color or measurements please feel free. Thanks!
Hey Matthew,
My advise would be the same as @Emily Erin Paulsen.
I would just add that you are creating too much contrast between the lights and darks. This is a common mistake all of us make sometimes, so we always have to compare the values we are going to put down with other values to see if they are darker or lighter.
The reference you chose has vey little contrast and all the shadows are very soft and subtle. This kind of diffused light can be hard to paint because we rely on shadows to help us turn the form. So, in this kind of lighting be mindful of the edges you use, yours are all kind of hard, and you need some soft transitions.
Also, choosing to render the shadows in such a high saturation cool color like blue, makes the skin color look even more saturated because it is a complimentary color to orange, which is basically what skin color is.
I did a quick diagram of your painting to show you some of the things I mentioned, I hope you find it helpful :)
Hey Matthew, looks like you're off to a good start! I like the colors you pulled from the skin tone.
For it to feel more finished, you will probably have to rework your foundation a bit.
I might start your next draft (save new version) with a darker background.
Look at overall shape and weight FIRST. Try not to copy photo too closely-- capture overall FEELING. That might mean sketching in greyscale/value/low color sat first to get the nuances of the expression right before you worry about brushwork or colors. Smiling poses are hard!!
Then when you have it mapped out more accurately, then try to get the skin tone. Put glasses on new layer. try building from dark to light, saving your brightest and most saturated colors for the most raised parts/ areas of interest. in other words, try toning the whole thing down, and sculpting reservedly with brights.
your piece will look more finished with specific sharper/more colorful areas of interest.
Looks like up near the hair part is much lighter skin tone. don't forget the baby hairs!
Nice work so far, keep working at it/ don't be afraid to rework it!