WIP Critique Face with acrilics

[Edson]

Hello everybody,

In the past I always was an oils user but a few weeks ago I start to paint with acrilics, here you can see my second try with just acrilics (just the flesh tones, hair and beard it´s just flat black) in this 75mm gladiator.

I could use some feedback, shoot with all you have that´s the way I guess someone can improve his skills

I can say, used to much white on the lights , looks a little pale on the face

Cheers
Ed

 

[Nap]

Hi It does look a little pale ..any chance of bigger pictures?

What acrylics are you using?

Nap

 

[Edson]

Hey Nap, Vallejo Model Color

Click on the thumbnail there you can see the full image

Cheers
Ed

 

[Bailey]

Looks good, especially for second try with acrylics. I don't mind the pale skin tone, but I would try to reduce the amount of area you're applying those upper highlights on. Just hit the tops of the cheeks, nose, and maybe a couple spots on the forehead. This will help bring out those shapes.

If you've got a steady hand you can go in with some pure white and add catch lights to the eyes. I prefer to use a brush, but you can also try dipping the tip of a toothpick in the paint and adding the dots that way.

After I get the basic shading done on the face I've been going back in with glazes of reds, blues, and purples to add another level of detail. I've been using some of the GW glazes and just further thinning them with water (you want to build up the color over several layers) or you can use regular acrylic and add some Vallejo glaze medium plus water. Use the glazes to add a little red to the cheeks, nose, and ears. Blue glazes can make a nice 5 o'clock shadow (not really necessary here since he's got a beard). And I use purples to deepen some of the shadows around the eyes and in the cheeks. You can use other colors instead (greens, browns, yellows), experiment and see how they change the look of the figure. Also keep in mind the direction of your brush stroke matters. When you're applying glazes the color will be strongest where you end your brush stroke. You can think of it as pushing color around the figure.

I put together a short step by step about painting faces with acrylics on one of my recent projects.
http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/french-dragoon-and-painting-faces-sbs.65988/
Whether you follow the early steps or not, the part on glazes is really worth trying. You can also do some glazes of your mid or darker skin tones to make him not quite so pale. Just push the paint away from the highlights so those areas remain bright but the rest gets darkened.

 

[Edson]

Thank you very much Bailey, I find your SbS very usefull and the tips about glazes reds, blues and purples its something I would love to try thanks a lot mate!

Cheers
Ed

 

[housecarl]

Here's another SBS Ed.

 

[Edson]

Carl my friend, this SbS from Jaume Ortiz its a classic, I read it when Jaume posted it the first time 10 years ago... , and still rocks!

Thanks for make me remember some good tutorial
Cheers
Ed

 

[Colin_Fraser]

I too like the pale complexion OK. I would work on the transitions between the base flesh and the shadow creases at the sides of the nose running to the edges of his mouth....they are a little harsh. I was going to suggest glazes like Bailey did. I use liquitex inks from the art store, dilutede with water.

For a second try this is great!

Colin

 

[Nap]

Hi Ed,

Great info from Bailey the SBS is well worth a visit , agree about glazes and comments about the highs ..for a 75mm and 2nd in acrylics it's a great start.

If you have problems with the Acrylics drying use a retarder ,I personally use W & N blending medium ...Vallejo do a retarder

Looking forward to seeing more on this

Nap

 

[frank h]

Hi
I like what you have got so far ......now its time to add the glazes
keeping your paint really thin to get the transparent effects

I dampen the area I am going to glaze it helps avoid harsh edges
works well on large areas such as busts

Frank