Opinions please

[JonH]

Hi Marc.
I think the overall impression is striking and immediately recognisable.It's only in close-up that any ,subjective,imperfections show up.I think the lips enhance her face than otherwise.Skin tone is excellent and the lovely blue of her headscarf sets it off nicely.
Jon.

 

[Marc Day]

Hi Jon,

Thanks very much for your comments. As I've said before, I'm not really known as a figure painter, so I'm quite surprised at how much interest this has created and how divided opinions seem to be on it. As you say though, this is more of a subjective piece, so maybe that's to be expected. Of course, there are flaws and imperfections, but I don't think I did myself any favours by accidentally uploading full size images with the initial post and showing them off on such a grand scale. I have to wonder if I'd posted thumbnails in the first place, whether there would have been so much debate.
I'm certainly not unhappy about anything that's been said. Most comments have been, like yours , very complimentary and the criticism has been minor and constuctive, which is good for me, because although not exactly a novice I still have a lot to learn.

Marc.

 

[JackG]

Something to try if you wish to add teeth and not disturb the lips is to apply a liquid mask around the area. It dries to a latex rubber consistency, and is removed by gentle rubbing - an old small brush with a little water should do it.

regards,
Jack

 

[Wayneb]

I say it's looking good ,but sometimes when you hear too many opinions, it can throw you off track. You got this far on your own, with your own talent. Why not just work on the rest with your own thinking process and see what you come up with because obviously you are headed in the right direction. That's how you learn. You learn by doing the job.

Wayne

 

[badger]

have got the bust and am scared of doing it,getting the face tones I find very intimidating,you have done an excellent job of it,gives me some inspiration. thank you./badger

 

[Marc Day]

Hi Badger,
Thank you very much. Very flattering. On advice and opinions given in the thread I've made a few small changes today and I think for the better. I've also progressed a little further with it generally. I expect to be able to post a few more pics tomorrow. Considering it's a relatively simple bust it is far from simple to paint and it's all about the face.
I've heard plenty of portrait artist on TV talk about how much easier it is to paint older subjects and it certainly applies to busts and figures. Being a young girl the features are very soft and shading etc is doesn't take care of itself quite as much as other pieces.
I wouldn't presume to give you advice on how to paint the bust, but there are a couple of things I will say. Before you start, decide whether you want to base it on the painting or to go for a more natural effect and stick with it. I chose the latter for a couple of reasons. I've seen a very well painted version based on the painting, but it didn't really float my boat and also (I'm repeating myself) you'd be trying to reproduce in 3D a 2D artwork.
My second piece of advice is more general and I hope it doesn't sound patronising. I'm actually a manufacturer and do everything with the exception of sculpting myself, which means I have to be a bit of a "Jack of all trades. Even after neary 20 years in the business, I'm still regularly challenged by new and difficult projects. I've found that for me, the best thing is to spend less time thinking about how difficult it will be and more on working out the way to do it.
I'd go for it. If it goes wrong, at worst you'll have wasted some time and a bit of paint which is easy enough to remove and have another go. Something I'm no stranger to doing. Thanks again.

Marc.

 

[Marc Day]

Hi All,
Well, as you can see, I've made a few little changes. There's a before and after with the images. Teeth have been added (now that I know she was supposed to have them), the lips have been toned down and highlighted a little. The pupils have also been reduced slightly. Overall, I do think it looks better. There's a slight sheen on the skin now, which I'll explain. I'm a bit old school and still work exclusively with Humbrols (in spite of being told recently that "you can't paint anything with Humbrols").
The sheen comes from a light coat of acrylic satin varnish that I sometimes use as a barrier to protect finished areas from any little mistakes I might make later on. As the two mediums don't mix it's easy to remove any unwanted spots etc, without damaging the paint underneath.

Marc.

 

[Mirofsoft]

 

[badger]

thank you,will take on board all advice,your improvements are excellent/badger

 

[Marc Day]

A little more progress made. Not too much left now.

 

[Marc Day]

Hi All,

Bust now finished and more pics posted on completed figures.

 

[Osebor]

Great work indeed!

 

[badger]

love it/badger

 

[Viking Bob]

Superb work...