Red Lancer Bust In Process - Face

[Guy]

Hello Keith,
You have done well on your first attempt on a large subject especially if you are used to smaller ones. I use a different set of brushes (larger) when working with large subjects. I am not real sure of your wet on dry technique but I can see that you need more highlighting on the cheek bones and nose and brow. Your color now seems to blend all together. Keep at it as it will turn out alright. Let us know more about your wet on dry technique and post some more pics on the next step.

Guy

 

[frank h]

Hi Keith
Good to hear you are enjoying the painting of large facial areas.
As has been said, when you start applying wet paint on dry areas
thats when the fun begins.

 

[Mongo Mel]

Hi Guy,
If I may, I'll take a shot at describing the "wet-on-dry" technique that Keith mentioned.
For me, this is the next stage of painting after I've done the initial "wet-on-wet" painting. Obviously, the "wet-on wet" stage is the application of the main color plus shadow color and highlight color applied and blended together. When this is fully dry, I add secondary shadows and blend these onto the main color. Then I add the secondary highlights and do the same. These colors are not the same as the main color but rather are the colors I use to give added contrast to the shadows and highlights. I treat these as more than a glaze coating over the main colors. Although I don't apply anywhere near the amount of paint I do for the main color, what I do apply is a bit more than a transparent layer.
I'm sure that this is probably very similar to how you paint and that I'm not telling you anything new. But I thought that it might be useful to describe it this way for anyone here that is new to painting figures.
I hope this makes sense to everybody. If not, ask me to clarify anything and I'll try my best to explain it better.
Craig

 

[Guy]

Thanks Craig, That was what I thought it was but was not sure.

 

[Mongo Mel]

Keith,
You have commented a couple of times now about the paints drying fast for you. I'm curious, are you adding a drying agent to your paints? I ask only because I've never had this problem working with oil paints. I've worked with them for hours at a time and never noticed the slightest drying happening.
Thanks,
Craig