I choose artist Maira Kalman because I love how deceptively simple her painting style is and that she loves portraits. I usually draw characters, but this week I am attempting to do a portrait of my husband based off a photo I took of him last year. I don't know about the men in your life, but my guy is the happiest when spends the day outside, is covered in dirt (or paint), has a few minor scratches, and has a great story to tell about his adventure... that he will share as soon as he get's his "sippy sippy" of wine. I realized a long time ago that steve is different than me. To state the obvious, I realized that HE is a man and I am a woman, and they are simply two entirely different animals. After that, his manliness never bugged me and I rarely have the wish that he act "more like me" (with a few minor exceptions - nobody is perfect!)
As far as the painting class I am taking, I am happily learning some cool things. Even though I have been painting for a long time, I have never studied painting nor tried to paint like this. Because I am self-taught, it has been fun to learn some tips and tricks. The acrylics are still a mystery to me, but I am slowly getting the hang of making colors and adding layers and layers... not geting too attached to anything. Steve's arm is still a stump because I can't figure out what I want to do with it it. There is a part of me that wants to put it in a sling. I also haven't added all the dirt to his face. This pic (below) was taken after he torn down an old barn to salvage the wood with a friend. I'll probably depart from the photo soon because I am excited about adding other elements.... again, trying to not be attached!
Some helpful things from this week:
1. The Painting U Curve. You will like your painting when you start, go thru a period of disgust, and then slowly paint your way out of the pits of dispair until you feel great about it again.
2. Start WET & LOOSE, lots of water in your paint, no detail. You can use a hairdryer to speed up the process.
3. Slowly build to DRY DETAIL. With every layer you use less water.
4. End DRY. No water in the paint. Add lines, details, shadows at the very end.
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