female face with color step by step.

[c4l3b]

that last one was so extremely helpful.

This time I want to try color. I've found this fantastic tutorial by Ron Lemen
http://www.gfxartist.com/features/tutorials/14033


Here is the original. I'm refusing to trace, so the sketch took a lot of moving bits around to come out right.

I've erased most of the construction lines (the brow one made her look very angry).

I'll start painting now and look forward to the tips!

[c4l3b]

this is why I need you people.... I'm beginning to block in the colors and already I want to puke.

[luverly_marie]

I seriously would go back to the sketch and observe your reference a little more. Her face is soft and she has a peaceful/happy look on her face. Your sketch looks angry and too sharp. For the coloring introduce a few more tones for your face.

I don't really know what else to add, it's pretty early in stage.

[c4l3b]

yeah, you're right. I had already gone back to sketch. I'll probably totally wipe and start completely over in a few minutes.

[c4l3b]

ok, re sketching it.

I'm not horribly concerned with matching her exactly. I really trying to learn how to paint skin. I'm having a horrible time at it. If I hadn't posted this here, I'd have given up already.

[c4l3b]

This feels much closer to her... close enough if there aren't any obvious anatomical blunders.

I'm so frustrated with color I'm thinking of doing it in b&w then trying to colorize it. I'd really like to be able to lay down color though.

[smugbug]

From looking at your drawing and comparing it to the photo - there's something you're missing. Her head is at a very slight tilt; while your drawing is not. That's one thing throwing you off.

Another is that you'll notice in that tutorial - that the artist is using values of color to block in the shapes and form of the head. It looks as if you're concerning yourself with details right away while in the tutorial, that's not the case.

Just mah observations - as luverly_marie said, it's pretty early in stage.

[c4l3b]

I'm not too concerned with matching her exactly. As long as I'm practicing good anatomy. This is really just a crash course in skin and color.

I started over, blocking in as he does on the tutorial... I'm a bit stuck here. as I try to continue based on his stuff, I start getting muddy again.

[Elwell]

I'm not too concerned with matching her exactly.

You said this in your previous thread as well.
At this point, you should be.

[c4l3b]

it seems that there is a fundamental difference in how you go about blending color and blending b&w... I usually just blend the b&w at the point they meet, but I guess I need to overlap and mix the color to get the right effect.

its all new to me.

this is just a quick test to see how it works... better, believe it or not. I'm using a speckled brush and overlapping the different colors.. alot.

[Jacfat]

I am pretty new to digital art to and around your level. This was my last work I did here . I think you shouldnt be afraid of using the lasso tool in photoshop to grab parts and shift them around and resize them to get that proportion right. Also sketch it cos your pencil work is quite good and scan it in. Dont feel that taking colors from certain sections in the image is cheating as it can be a way to drive your pallet.

[c4l3b]

I played with it more last night. I'm not ready for color I think. I'm going to do it in black and white then color it.

[c4l3b]

ok, new sketch! Black and white! yay, feeling more comfortable.

[c4l3b]

more progress b&w

[c4l3b]

still adding contrast. blocked in background and hair.

[algenpfleger]

I gotta say I think it's extremely hard to learn skintones from photographs, at least it never worked for me. Instead, you might want to do some master copies of Zorn, Pino, Bouguereau or Waterhouse, as these guys really knew their stuff.
I can also HIGHLY recommend Linda Bergkvist's tutorials on skin and facial features. Helped me a lot.

[c4l3b]

Elwell,
of coarse, you're right. I really should focus every study to be the best it can be. I guess I was looking for the easy way out. (p.s. your medusa character is fantastic. It reminds me of Leyendecker, but I don't know why.)

Algenpfleger,
I remember seeing those tutorials before. thanks for reminding me about them, they seem very helpfull. I'll also look into doing some master copies from the artists you suggested.

[c4l3b]

fixed anatomical issues with the eyes... well, improved them. adding contrast.

[Bone Idol]

The right eye (from our POV) is much improved and looks excellent!

Left still looks off- too small and close set...

Only a guess, but from looking at the original photo, you've taken its size/position from the dreadlock which falls across her face...which may be throwing you off...so the dreadlock is out of position...in your pic the eye would be ever-so slightly partially obsured behind...

I would not worry about repositioning the dreadlock, of course. It won't look wrong as long as it obeys gravity! :smile:

[c4l3b]

yes, exactly. I also just realized the left eye was too small. It took repositioning the right eye for me to be able to see it. And indeed, I was having issues placing it due to the dreadlock.

[c4l3b]

GAH! a perfect example of screwed up eyes.

[Elwell]

GENERAL to SPECIFIC.
Big forms and relationships FIRST.

GENERAL to SPECIFIC.
Big forms and relationships FIRST.

GENERAL to SPECIFIC.
Big forms and relationships FIRST.

GENERAL to SPECIFIC.
Big forms and relationships FIRST.

GENERAL to SPECIFIC.
Big forms and relationships FIRST.

...

...

...

[c4l3b]

Elwell,
Say you don't notice something is off until further into the process, Do you scrap it and start over? I guess I should since this is practice and all... I also notice that the entire top half of her head is too tall.

also, why did your avatar turn green?

[Bone Idol]

Do not scrap and start over...!!!

The one above my last post is, in my humble opinion, looking really good...damn sexy too!

hairline to nose bridge, nose bridge to nose tip, nose tip to jawline...ain't measured exactly, but seems to be about 1/3 each in both photo and your pic.

your nose seems a little bit more delicate, and with the small eye, it might be making the forehead seem distorted. Put your hand over the left hand side of that pic of yours, look at the right side, and tell me that doesn't look right, coz I'm ready to propose to her good side!

[Elwell]

It should never be too late to correct a mistake, of course. Sometimes it's easier to start all over than fix things bit by bit. When you work from big shapes and forms to smaller ones, you should have to do less and less of that sort of correcting, because the size, shape, and placement of the smaller forms is determined by the big ones. If you get the overall shape of the face right, it's easier to place the features. If you get the size and placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth right, it's easier to draw the details.

[c4l3b]

haha, thanks for the input.

I may just fix the eyes and forehead and keep going. This was supposed to be an exercise in color. I guess at this point all drawing is an exercise in the basics.

[c4l3b]

ok, the eyes are 1 eye apart.... located roughly correctly... that left eye is really hard for me to judge. Once I start modelling the face around it, its much easier but then its waaay past when I should have fixed it.

[c4l3b]

popped the eyes in. they're better. maybe they'll do. I need to put eyebrows on her before I can really tell.

[c4l3b]

eyebrows and some more contrast.

[c4l3b]

even more contrast. almost time to start playing with color!