For this portrait I wanted to indulge in the theme of a regal portrait that royality would sit for. I was in a local infinity cove studio so the background is pure brilliant white. My sitter is standing and wearing props.
Exploring poses
Tonal value sketch
The difficult parts will be the crown and chain. I have noted that. Focusing on my model I wanted to show the hair hair and face shape as it will help when creating the painting. My models dreadlocks and beard are an important part of this painting. I want to see the textures and tones his hair really adds shape to his face. His face angle allows you to see his side and face.
Head and shoulder portrait 30/40 cm
I started by painting face and hair main body colours – portrait pink and burnt umber blend.
Next, I used gesso with a blue over the canvas, more blue on the shadowed side.
I used a mix of colours – yellow ochre , primary magenta, ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, buff titainum, mars black and created my models skin, neck brown tone for the hair including the shadowed area next to the neck. I lightly brushed on the chain shape.
I used a watered down ultramarine + mars black for the t-shirt. Created a mix of brown tones of the locs. and added more to the skin work to be able to paint the crown.
Next I wanted to add more shape to the face, I creaated a loose beard colour base using a lighter brown. I also added details to the nose, eyes and eyebrows. I created these by looking at the shape rather than the details.
Now working from using a photograph of my model, I created the grey/blue for the stripes, I then filled the shirt in with a darker blue that makes up the shirt. I also added more details to the lips.
Here, You can see I worked on the chain using yellows, browns, beiges and white accompanied with mirco brushes.
Crown details was a slow process, I slowly assessed each part of the crown, noting the colours, reflective surface and shapes.
Finally seeing my painting starting to take shape. I added details to the hair painting the tones, reflections and loose hairs. I also used these browns to add more colour to the loc and details to eyebrows and beard.
I worked on my models eyes, I used micro paintbrushes for the eyes, all the details, tones, eyelashes and micro skin details.
Here is where I felt the eyes where wrong so I attempted a correction, Using titanium buff to block out the previous colour. I assessed the actual face shape against my painting and created a new eye.
I do not fell my correction benefited the painting at all.
B-log 