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This years self portrait

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meprofile

Gary Martin

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Posted
I've done a pencil block-in and transferred it to the canvas (For some reason, I decided a bilious green would make a nice underpainting!). Outlined in raw umber so the transfer doesn't vanish as I paint. I'm hoping to be quite loose with this one.

Denise Cat

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Posted
Good drawing Gary, off to a great start.

Norrette Moore

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Posted
Great composition too.
meprofile

Gary Martin

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Posted
Thank you both. I've added some quick shadow shapes to give me a guide for the next layer. It's half term now so it'll be a while before my next post as I have to think of ways to entertain my 5 year old for a week.

Scarlett Temple

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Interesting choice with the green! Excited to see the outcome.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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Green is actually quite a well-established underpainting for a portrait, and it works in oils and acrylics; normally though - and you did use the word "bilious" - it would be somewhat less, er, exciting that the green you've chosen; something like Terre Verte in oil, a very de-saturated, edge-of-the-ditch type green.  Still - this could work; I wonder when you'll be able to crack on with it....  The reason for a duller green being generally preferable is that it anchors the colours laid over it, and helps to give them a soft form and shape; so you might struggle with the yellowness of the one you've chosen - you might find it a bit antagonistic: but that could produce its own rewards.  We await, breath keenly bated.  
meprofile

Gary Martin

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Thanks Scarlett and Robert. I had left this to the side for a long time and your replies have given the urge to go back to it. Robert, I think I wanted something to antagonise me - I've been using a fairly neutral palette for too long and needed to shake things up. Not sure if it will be a success but it's different which currently suits me. Here's the 'unfinished' first colour block in, trying to keep it all loose with large brushes at this stage. 
meprofile

Gary Martin

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got some more done this morning. Seems like doing a bright yellow green background doesnt make a difference in how I end up painting. Still quite neutral.
IMG_8857

Marjorie Firth

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Might that be because you’ve obliterated the yellow/ green?

Tessa Gwynne

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You certainly look less jaundiced Gary! Seriously, it’s looking very good. 
meprofile

Gary Martin

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Might that be because you’ve obliterated the yellow/ green?
Marjorie Firth on 11/03/2025 18:13:19
Ha ha - yes - hardly worth starting with that colour - although there are hints of it in the background that I like.
meprofile

Gary Martin

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You certainly look less jaundiced Gary! Seriously, it’s looking very good. 
Tessa Gwynne on 11/03/2025 18:18:50
Thank you - I'm seeing a lot of things to fix though but that's fine. I remember watching a tutorial by an artist who said that painting is basically fixing things until you feel you have fixed enough and I like that.
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