WIP Critique JMD Medieval bust

[marta]

one step closer to completion:

Still need to fix eyes and scars, and do something with the lips and beard. But I'd say it's closer with every brushstroke.

'eM

 

[davidmitchell]

Looking good so far Marta.

Cheers David

 

[JonP]

That's coming on really well; nice work Marta.

 

[marta]

I have no idea what to do with his face.
It is a massive struggle to make it look like it's a living human beeing.
The only thing I'm quite happy with is his damaged eye, and the scars close to the eye corner, in flesh it looks better than on the photos.
The worst part in my opinion is the beard, it looks so unnatural gray

cheers

'eM

 

[DEL]

Looking good Marta. You could try some very fine short lines of two or three different shades of very dark browns to 'warm' up the grey.
Either way this is a very fine result.
Look forward to seeing it at Folkestone.
Cheers
Derek

 

[Alex Long]

I think the trouble you may be having with the beard is that it's overall too dark for a true grey beard. Take a look at Ian Mckellen as Gandalf who's pretty much white or George and Bob who are predominantly white. They are tricky things to paint though. Rest of him looks great.

Alex.

 

[Helm]

Try a sepia wash? I find that often cures this kind of starkness

Steve

 

[Sturm Grenadier]

Hello Marta, This is a beautiful bust. The face, chainmail, and the leather, are all incredibly done. To me, the beard color looks fine, but maybe a little to dark in the shadow areas. There are no highlights on the side portions of the beard in the cheek areas, matching the front of the beard. Perhaps adding an off-white color, to the gray color you used for the beard, in the shadow areas, will lighten them up a bit. Its similar to highlighting white clothing, or uniforms. Pure white could then be used on select high points of the beard, like in the photos Alex provided in his post. Whatever you decide to do, or not do, this is an exceptional stunning piece. Regards, SG

 

[marta]

Thx for help guys. I aappreciate your advice.
With the beard I was going for gray with some black bands in the middle and on the sides (maybe moustaches?). The idea is clear in my mind, but not in execution
I'll try some sepia wash to make it all a bit more organic, and maybe I'll go for gray beard altogether. Cheeks on the photos look completely dull gray. In real it looks slightly better, I'm thinning I need to brighten the whole area here.

Cheers
'eM