US Marine-Brutal Honesty Required

[Mike Stevens]

Rodrigo,

I think the point of this "Brutal Honesty Forum" specifically is for people to ask for and receive feedback from more experienced painters in order to improve their skill level. Not get the usual "No comment" or Looks great.

The point of my post is for illustration purposes only. This is kind of an SBS asking on asking for a Critique.

Folks will often post a figure here and not ask for specifics. I believe that we should review the figures as we would as a judge. A figure is made up of the whole but the individual parts make the whole. To wit my asking for specifics on the major areas that a judge will look at first. Top down.

I hope that clears up the nature of this post for you.

 

[badger]

face too dark/highlites too lite but overall very good, alittle more work and patience and it will all come together, well done. badger

 

[Johan]

Actually your face is well done, but where you could improve upon is maybe clear from the photo that Einion posted :

Look at the area's that we mostly call "highlight" area's, then you see a "warm" tone of colour (more "reddish" or "orange-ish")
Look at the area's that we mostly call "shadow" area's, then you see a "cold" tone of colour ...

From your pictures I guess you only just used dark or reddish browns for shading ...

Now if you'd paint in oils, I'd say add some - just he tiniest of tiny little bit - Turqoise to your shadow colours to cool them down, or to "gray" them down if you wish ... Use Turqoise for Caucasian types, and Ultramarine or Violet for fe. Injuns or Mediterranean types ... I'm sure these colours do exist in the vallejo acryls range too.

Result will be that the rest of the face will seem to have a more pleasing, warm tone. Also, you won't need such a dramatic bold contrast between shadows and highlights as you have done now.

I know it won't maybe work out right the first time you try this, but do give it a try ...

Hope this helps

 

[Gra30]

Very nice tones and I like the contrast and very nice, clean and precise, possibly a bit harsh but that I also a style choice. The areas that stick out to me are the eyes in the lower eyelid, although the pictures are showing small to me so forgive me if it is the photograph. I think the lower lid needs bringing up ever so slightly, it will make the eyes not pop as much. The tone of the lower lids is fine, possibly a very very thin darker line to seperate the eyelid from the eyeball, then the highlight as you have done, the whites also appear to wide, at this scale the whites can be shaded and the harshness at the edges less prominent, nice work
You certainly have a grasp of the medium and application depends on what you wish to achieve contrast wise
Best wishes

 

[Mike Stevens]

Johan and Gray, thanks for taking a look and commenting. I finished this peice quite some time ago. But I can always use the advice and tips.

Best Regards,

Mike