Paintings

[heSlimedme]

[heSlimedme]

Since the forums were down...

[heSlimedme]

...in progress...exterior shapes...i.e. hats beards

[heSlimedme]

[heSlimedme]

what they did to make shelob's lair

[heSlimedme]

[heSlimedme]

[heSlimedme]

This is a life size sculpture Ive been working on from life. Ive spent nearly a month working on the masses slowly beginning to add features. General to specific is my regiment. In the spring I will add more features, try to get the skin to act like it's over bone. Then cast it to have my records...If there is anything I've learned - its planes. Go Rodin!

[heSlimedme]

^ I've been trying to paint with simpler planes. Our models can't sit for long so its tough being critical at what's important. Most of these are within an hour or so.

^Looking at Joe Lorusso

[Eternal Apprentice]

That sleeve must have took you some time. My question is, do you take into consideration, subsurface scattering when you are mixxing the colours for the skin? Also, what are some of the colours you aim to highlight/give prominence when mixing skin colours. Thank you!

[heSlimedme]

When I paint I need to glide. I prime my surfaces with varnish or a couch primarily with something viscous. I try to keep the underpainting in harmony with my other values - its really difficult though. I am still learning. I paint entirely from life which gives a profound edge against photos. I've realized (painting from life) there are more greens in peoples' faces than I thought. I like to mix more greens than anything else. Some of my colors include Sap green/Alizarin Crimson = Deep warm sienna leaning towards green; Cad Pale Green/ Scarlet Lake = leans a bit more cold, adding Zinc white creates some real interesting greens. Those mixtures with Indian yellow, Naples yellow pale are a good combo too. I've been looking at artist Joe Lorusso for color clues. His paintings have a hierarchy of warmth that makes them so engaging. I've been emailing him asking him for tips, and we agree "as long as the values are correct, color is secondary." So right now, I am trying to get to a comfortable level with that principle, experimenting in color. I have a friend who is covered in tattoos (all primary colors). it really forces me to see thousands of colors that aren't just plain sienna and white. The sleeve did take a while, but it doesn't look like its on her skin, getting it to bend if tough. So i am going to have at it with this girl. hope this helps. Let me know what else you would like to know? mediums? brushes? surfaces?

[heSlimedme]

this is more lime greenish in person...

[Eternal Apprentice]

Very interesting for you to note the amount of green in peoples face. Why is that? Most people seem to want to bring out the subsurface scattering which heightens the reds. I hope I make sense I am not a painter. I am currently in the pursuit of trying to get colour done so I am working on my values and my colour at the same time.

I thoroughly enjoy your paintings and it's process. I will try my hand at it when I get the chance.

[heSlimedme]

I think it comes from always looking at people 'from life.' Take for instance, someone who has just shaved their beard...when that shape is missing, often times you will notice greens near the chin. I think green is an infectious color anyways. It is a mischievous color that; when applied to a face brings a whole new level to portraits. Malcolm Liepke uses a lot of greens too to enhance the drama of his images. I would suggest looking at some of his work. I think people will always be attracted to color simply because the different values and hues are evocative. I also think some assume to make portraits just variations of sienna's and reds where green takes things to a more 'human' level. Its trying to get at what the 'dermis' really is - a perspiring, flesh bag. green covers that criteria pretty well.

[heSlimedme]

Need a new camera, this image is too yellow. In person; this painting is more red. Desaturated red that it. More pale that is. Looking at sean cheetham and joe larusso still. better of the two previous ones. Video soon!

[dumbnudge]

Hey! I like your stuff immensely! Strong planes and colors. The eyes seem a bit distant and dull, though. Sorry if that's the desired effect Otherwise a few details or just a dot of reflective light might fix that.

[dawidowicz]

Need a new camera, this image is too yellow. In person; this painting is more red. Desaturated red that it. More pale that is. Looking at sean cheetham and joe larusso still. better of the two previous ones. Video soon!

You may try to correct the white balance of your pictures by taking a photo with a piece of white paper as a WB reference, and the other photo without it (just make sure to maintain the same conditions of the photographed painting). Then, in a photo editing software seek for a white balance tool (in a Photoshop's plugin Adobe Camera Raw it is the icon of the eyedroper). Use it on a reference paper sheet, and copy those settings to the photo without the paper. This should bring more natural colors to the image. Some cameras, even touristic compacts, has the option of setting the WB in their UI - it will be the same procedure, just without the PS-like software .

Hope that helps, because I'd like to see more of your great paintings.

[heSlimedme]

[heSlimedme]

wow, thanks. this really helped. let me know what you think of my new ones. huge show coming up april 1

[heSlimedme]

thanks man. no i agree and even received that in a crit. the eyes are boring. which is true, i spent more time on the arms and hair. i usually start with the eyes and drag them out. i needed to move on. but nothing i couldn't fix with a few dabs of paint.

[ElieVerbrugge]

Theres some really cool stuff in there keep it up \o/

[heSlimedme]

thanks. much appreciated

[heSlimedme]

so I've been tinkering around with your advice, is absolutely works. i placed my paintings next to white space and the white balance reconfigured. you can tell once i upload my next one. again thanks

[dawidowicz]

I'm glad I could help - all this months of poorly paid and dull photo retouching appeared to be useful to someone after all. As for the new painting, I'll just stand here and admire, because it's great

[heSlimedme]

[heSlimedme]

Forgot I still had an image of this. I made this long before the original dead space launch - back when he was going to be on a moon planet.

[heSlimedme]

still plucking away

[heSlimedme]

still plucking away...

[heSlimedme]

been busy getting ready for show. tons of new paintings in progress. jpegs along the way

[heSlimedme]

...So here is what I've been up to for the most part...

Sarah with Heartsounds Shirt, Pink Ribbon and Hat


Sarah With White Rose and Red Bike Dress


Sarah Study with headphones and ribbon


Sarah in Thriller Shirt



Sarah In Xmen SHirt