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Norrette Moore

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This is on the way to being finished. I'd like to make sure the skin tones are right before I add the subjects hair and finish the clothing.   Also any other advice or comments would be much appreciated. It had to be taken from a photograph with looking at some others for inspiration and character.

Sylvia Evans

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Oh Norrette you are funny, poor man with no hair,,,,it just seems an odd way around painting him.     It’s a super painting and the skin tones look great to me.  Am looking forward to seeing him hirsute .

Norrette Moore

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Haha. There isn't too much hair, so I didn't want to be repainting the scalp in between. 🙂

Sylvia Evans

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Ha I understand now…. 
Entwined, abstract

Sandra Kennedy

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Posted
Very expressive eyes Norrette.

Norrette Moore

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Posted
Thanks, Sandra. They may get some more detail.  I've really done this in the wrong order but I kept my earlier stages to myself as I didn't know whether I was going to abandoned the project or not.

Denise Cat

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It's coming along nicely Norrette and a great start. Don't be afraid to push the chroma. Encourage more distinction with the features. Add some recognition of hair now, this will give you an overall balance of what you are looking at. Leave your lightest lights till the very end. 

Alan Bickley

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The usual difficulties of working from a photograph are evident here Norrette, although I realise that it’s a work in progress. I’m less concerned about hair and more concerned about the overall flat appearance of his face…squint your eyes or convert to greyscale and this will become more obvious! It’s our old friend tonal values again! Or should I say lack of… I don’t doubt that you’ve accurately represented what you’re seeing in the photo. There is no obvious light source, so if I were working from this pic, I’d probably use my experience (plus a good helping of artists license), and adopt an imaginary light source coming from the left… Then you can start working in some interesting tones into the face, giving that all important illusion of being a three-dimensional structure. Finally, I’d use more paint, vary the thickness and have visible brush strokes - but that’s my style.

Edited
by Alan Bickley

With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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Brief but total agreement with Alan (and Denise) here: this year, I've painted two portraits - in both cases I had to use photographs, though at least in one case they were MY photographs, and I was able to make a series of sketches.  I've also been trying to draw my grandfather, from a photograph taken some thirty years before he died.... deeply frustrating.  It has all been absolute murder; if you possibly can work from life, really, honestly, DO.  I realize we can't always do that, but I really don't think I'll ever paint another portrait unless I can secure the victim in front of me.  The contrasts and light source are so important.  

Norrette Moore

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Well guys, I didn't see your replies until now. Thankyou for the advice. I have progressed, and maybe just a few touches here and there, although I'm scared of losing it again. I need to do some blending as well. At the moment I hate Zorn... 😄 This experience has proved how much having a subject in front of you is important, especially in the later stages. when I keep saying to myself, whats wrong? However, in this case it's impossible as he has passed. Any constructive advice much appreciated. 
IMG_8857

Marjorie Firth

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Don’t do any more to this Norrette, you’ve portrayed a kindly personality….in future, bear in mind the importance of the light and shade. I always paint a portrait with this in mind and it’s important to take your own photo , to control the lighting and bring in some drama. That said, I like your portrait very much - you’ve succeeded with the smile showing teeth ( not easy), you’ve done it just right. Give yourself a pat on the back! No one finds it easy you know.

Edited
by Marjorie Firth

Norrette Moore

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Thank you, Marjorie. I'll put it out of sight for a couple of weeks, hopefully it'll seem better to me then.