April 17, 2010 - Day 250

Ink on 250gsm Stonehenge 100% Cotton Vellum Finish Paper

This was suppose to be Denzel Washington but I did not achieve his likeness at all. Also, as usual, I was afraid to go too dark.

What I would like to do is take the time to paint a portrait numerous times until I get it absolutely perfect. I over-painted today's painting to the point the the sizing was starting to wash off and the ink wasn't going on smoothly anymore.

I really need to sit down and look at an individual and really analyze how I recognize that person. Maybe I need to study cartooning and animation. Political cartoons only use lines and maybe a bit of shading yet the general public can easily recognize the subject of the cartoon.

April 16, 2010 - Day 249

Ink on 250gsm Stonehenge 100% Cotton Vellum Finish Paper

I could have done more on this painting but I am just not into art tonight. I am sniffling and feverish. I just don't feel well today. Whine! Whine! Whine!

I am starting to see why some people prefer paintings and artwork that is NOT photo-realistic or completely representational. While I like the challenge of creating a realistic painting I find myself wondering if someone would look at it and say that there really is no difference in appearance between this and a black and white photograph.

After looking at portraits from other artists I prefer the portraits that have a more "painterly" approach over the ones that are completely photo-realistic. They seem to have more energy and life to them. Over the course of this project I have tried to loosen up my style some but I just don't understand how I would create that way. I am a very literal person and my mind just doesn't visualize in abstract or non-representational ways.

April 15, 2010 - Day 248

Ink on 250gsm Stonehenge 100% Cotton Vellum Finish Paper

For today's painting of Robert De Niro I completed it as usual but once I was done I used a photo editing program to overlay my painting over top of my reference photo. By doing this I was able to see the differences. I noticed that I had the face too wide so I went back in with the black ink and trimmed it down a bit. There are still mistakes and differences and I am still afraid of going too dark but my portraits have come a long way from the ones I was painting in January.

April 14, 2010 - Day 247

Ink on 250gsm Stonehenge 100% Cotton Vellum Finish Paper

Meryl Streep today. Getting better all the time but still not totally accurate. I played with the shadows, highlights and contrast on my computer after completing the painting and realized that I am still not going dark enough in the shadows. If I would have gone darker around the edge of the face and in the shadow of her hair the painting would have really looked awesome.

Going dark enough has been a problem that I have struggled with right from the start of this project. It is so intimidating for me to go really dark because there is no turning back once I do that. If I don't have the shapes right or I go too dark then the painting is ruined and I have to start over. The only exception to that is when I paint with acrylics because I can always paint lighter colors over top of darks.

April 13, 2010 - Day 246

Ink on 250gsm Stonehenge 100% Cotton Vellum Finish Paper

Nicole Kidman is today's subject. I like the potential of these ink paintings. I feel that there is so much more that I could do with this medium to make stunningly beautiful paintings but I don't have the knowledge or experience yet to do that. I know that once I become more comfortable with the technique that I will have more inspirational ideas on how to take this to the next level.

April 12, 2010 - Day 245

Ink on 250gsm Stonehenge 100% Cotton Vellum Finish Paper

I don't think I quite captured the likeness of Patrick Stewart. It was coming along very well and I had achieved the likeness than I put in some more shading and *poof* the likeness was gone.

April 11, 2010 - Day 244

Ink on 250gsm Stonehenge 100% Cotton Vellum Finish Paper

I don't really have anything to say about today's painting of Tom Hanks. Could be better. Could be worse.