Portrait: Sullustan TIE Pilot (Graphite & Digital)
2yr
Isaiah
A while back, I had done some Loomis head exercises for the Portrait Fundamentals course. @Christopher Beaven, had given some thoughtful feedback. Specifically, he suggested that I try drawing a full portrait, in order to see what it would be like to progress a drawing past the Loomis head. Also, he suggested that I take a look at Marco Bucci's breakdown of the planes of the face. It has taken me a long time, but I have finally completed a portrait drawing.
I was also inspired get started on this drawing by an art show I recently attended. My coworker's sister-in-law had gotten her work into local gallery. Both her oils and her graphite reminded me of Stephen Bauman. I thought, "I'd like to give that a try."
I am not sure how much I learned about applying the Loomis head. This Star Wars alien has a unique head shape. This required some adaptation be made to the Loomis head, but it was helpful to have something to adapt. In the end, it seems, one moves past that stage rather quickly.
The Bucci video seemed like a great resource. I did not put it to use. I would have either had to memorize the planes or have had an Asaro head nearby for reference. (In hindsight, I should have printed a picture of one.) I did watch a lot of Stephen Bauman tutorials.
During the drawing, I felt like my values in the shadows were muddy and unconvincing. I was working from observation first, and then trying to account for the light logic after the fact. Also, I felt as though I lacked the subtlety and accuracy to describe the forms within the light shapes/halftones.
Digital techniques were useful in enhancing the image. By converting brightness to opacity, I can insert a layer beneath the drawing and have it show through. A simple painting in the under layer helped me to relocate values where I wished them to be.
I am sure there are many flaws in this portrait. Critiques are welcome.
Wow Isaiah, nice job on this. Taking advise from @Christopher Beaven prove to be a good idea.
I think this could use some tweaks to the values to make it even better though. Values, especially in black and white drawings becomes really important.
Some of the things I noticed was the bright highlight on the front of the chest, it draws my attention there first instead of the face.
Also, I think if you darken the hat, it will feel more like a separate element from the skin. Lastly, You could add some lighter highlights to the face to really draw attention there.
I did a quick adjustment to show you what I mean, I hope it helps :)
Very happy to receive my first Steve Lenze draw-over critique! Great feedback, as always, Steve!
The major takeaway I am getting from the value rearrangements is that I should not hyperfocus on replicating the reference. It is important to look for ways to improve the composition when interpreting it.
It is useful to see how much better the portrait looks with the highlights pushed farther, as well.
Wow! That looks fantastic! Great job, All the hard work you put into this has really paid off. Keep going with these, the more you do the more you learn.
