January 26, 2012, 9:54AM
Need to fix the left eye... but other than that, the portrait is done!
BACK BUTTON
Almost done!
January 24, 2012, 7:46AM
I've been working on these for the past week when I realized that I haven't update the blog! I almost completely repainted everything!
Well, they are almost done. After applying what I re-learned from my skin-tone study, I'm quite happy with the outcome:
The backgrounds have been better realized, the shirts are better rendered, the keyboard and hands are almost complete and everything just comes together a lot better. Unfortunately my camera-phone doesn't do them justice, and the angle of the light seems to heighten every shadow, they are coming along quite well! I should have them done in the next day or so.
Well, they are almost done. After applying what I re-learned from my skin-tone study, I'm quite happy with the outcome:
The backgrounds have been better realized, the shirts are better rendered, the keyboard and hands are almost complete and everything just comes together a lot better. Unfortunately my camera-phone doesn't do them justice, and the angle of the light seems to heighten every shadow, they are coming along quite well! I should have them done in the next day or so.
Back to Painting!
-Mat
P.S.
After looking what on the screen and what's on the easel, I can honestly say that the photos look horrible: the subtle colors are gone and the contrast is non-existent. I'll see what I can do for the next update.
P.S.
After looking what on the screen and what's on the easel, I can honestly say that the photos look horrible: the subtle colors are gone and the contrast is non-existent. I'll see what I can do for the next update.
I "FORGOT" HOW TO PAINT!!!!
January 11, 2012, 4:24PM
Yup.
You read that correct:
I forgot how to paint.
But don't worry. It's not the "Oh No! My career is Ruined!" its more like "Dear Jeebus! How did I do that again?" Specifically; I forgot how to paint skin tones.
Now, "skin tone" is one of the most over-used and misunderstood statements made. True "skin tone" is made up of thousands (lots of zeros) of different colors, and not just pink! Blues, greens, purples and yellows of varying hues, values and saturation make up these subtle gradations that ultimately make "skin tone"
Another strange thing about "skin tone" is that it is altered based on light conditions. The traditional way of painting portraits in the same light as the sitter means that the colors chosen for "skin tone" will always look like their skin counterpart in any lighting condition.
This is where the disaster strikes...
I've sold all of my portraits from life. As a result I don't have any reference for "skin tone" for the pair of commissioned portraits I'm working on. Since they are based on photographs, I'm having to guess what subtle colors make the skin tone. And since I don't have references lying around, I kinda... sorta... "forgot" which colors were meant for what.
After more than a decade of painting, most of the color making decisions occur almost automatically in the brain: you see a color, you know what to mix to make that color, and you paint that color. If you are working from a photograph for abstract works... its not that important. Colors can be pushed and contrasts tweaked, and indeed whole compositions compromised for the sake of artistic creativity.
In painting a portrait... it's a bit more of a science.
THUS:
I'm taking these couple of days to work on a quick self portrait from a mirror in order to fix my understanding of "skin tone". I'll use the self portrait in order to match colors to those I'll put on the other two portraits to compensate for camera's color processor.
THEREFORE:
I have remedied my dilemma of forgetting how to paint.
Back To Painting!!!
-Mat
Yup.
You read that correct:
I forgot how to paint.
But don't worry. It's not the "Oh No! My career is Ruined!" its more like "Dear Jeebus! How did I do that again?" Specifically; I forgot how to paint skin tones.
Now, "skin tone" is one of the most over-used and misunderstood statements made. True "skin tone" is made up of thousands (lots of zeros) of different colors, and not just pink! Blues, greens, purples and yellows of varying hues, values and saturation make up these subtle gradations that ultimately make "skin tone"
Another strange thing about "skin tone" is that it is altered based on light conditions. The traditional way of painting portraits in the same light as the sitter means that the colors chosen for "skin tone" will always look like their skin counterpart in any lighting condition.
This is where the disaster strikes...
I've sold all of my portraits from life. As a result I don't have any reference for "skin tone" for the pair of commissioned portraits I'm working on. Since they are based on photographs, I'm having to guess what subtle colors make the skin tone. And since I don't have references lying around, I kinda... sorta... "forgot" which colors were meant for what.
After more than a decade of painting, most of the color making decisions occur almost automatically in the brain: you see a color, you know what to mix to make that color, and you paint that color. If you are working from a photograph for abstract works... its not that important. Colors can be pushed and contrasts tweaked, and indeed whole compositions compromised for the sake of artistic creativity.
In painting a portrait... it's a bit more of a science.
THUS:
I'm taking these couple of days to work on a quick self portrait from a mirror in order to fix my understanding of "skin tone". I'll use the self portrait in order to match colors to those I'll put on the other two portraits to compensate for camera's color processor.
THEREFORE:
I have remedied my dilemma of forgetting how to paint.
Back To Painting!!!
-Mat
Bits and pieces coming together
January 4, 2012, 10:14am
I finished the book and keyboard as well as some work on the background. The colors in the face are also lightened up and I'm using brighter colors to give the sense of light as well as work on making the shadows less severe.
Since I'm working from a photo, the shadows are always the darker than in real life. A camera isn't able to pick up detail in the dark like the human eye can. As a result, I'm doing a lot of research based on work done from life in order to make sure the colors look correct.
Next I'll continue to make the faces curve around more in space, and make the figures merge more harmoniously with the background.
It sounds like a lot of work, but the result will be amazing!
Back to Painting!
-Mat
January 3, 2012
January 3, 2012, 3:41PM
Well, here are some updates pre-move. I've been picking away at them a little bit since, and I'll post the result thus far later today.
Back to Painting!
Well, here are some updates pre-move. I've been picking away at them a little bit since, and I'll post the result thus far later today.
Back to Painting!
-Mat
Happy New Year!
January 2, 2012
Update. Studio now has interwebs, building is in it's last day, and I've been plunking away on my commission portraits (with visual updates to follow today!!!!!)
And to make things just all kinds of awesome, blogger now works on the iPad! Truly a great time to be alive!
Back to Painting!
-Mat
Update. Studio now has interwebs, building is in it's last day, and I've been plunking away on my commission portraits (with visual updates to follow today!!!!!)
And to make things just all kinds of awesome, blogger now works on the iPad! Truly a great time to be alive!
Back to Painting!
-Mat
NEW STUDIO MADNESS!!
December 8, 2011, 1:05AM
I haven't posted in a while. A decidedly embarrassing long time, but I have a reason why:
NEW STUDIO MADNESS
The final week of November was filled with awesome studio-packing chaos, combined with assisting the intro to painting class at the Perpich Center for Arts Education (PCAE). Then there was the building of the 8 studio walls for my comrades, and all the chaos that entails. I ended up pulling a 44-consecutive hour move-a-thon with a 17' UHaul truck.
It was interesting.
My studio is currently mostly up: I have lighting, a computer, and several boxes I assume contain my paints.
The awesome reception area still needs a heap ton of work, but once finished it will be like nothing else. The completed studio will be the combination of nearly every artistic discipline and be totally open to the public. Think designer studio meets fine arts.
So yeah... I'll post some pictures shortly, and also an update of the portrait commission (which I neglected to post prior to Thanksgiving)
BACK TOPAINTING CONSTRUCTION!
-Mat
I haven't posted in a while. A decidedly embarrassing long time, but I have a reason why:
NEW STUDIO MADNESS
The final week of November was filled with awesome studio-packing chaos, combined with assisting the intro to painting class at the Perpich Center for Arts Education (PCAE). Then there was the building of the 8 studio walls for my comrades, and all the chaos that entails. I ended up pulling a 44-consecutive hour move-a-thon with a 17' UHaul truck.
It was interesting.
My studio is currently mostly up: I have lighting, a computer, and several boxes I assume contain my paints.
The awesome reception area still needs a heap ton of work, but once finished it will be like nothing else. The completed studio will be the combination of nearly every artistic discipline and be totally open to the public. Think designer studio meets fine arts.
So yeah... I'll post some pictures shortly, and also an update of the portrait commission (which I neglected to post prior to Thanksgiving)
BACK TO
-Mat
Tailoring the shirts
November 22, 2011, 10:14AM
I've started tailoring the shirts to fit better and also start better integrating the figures into the background. The underlying colors of the fabric will register on the peripheral of vision, but give them a sense of depth.
Portrait commission update
A quick update.making smaller and smaller decisions now. Everything is becoming more unified.
MCAD ARt Sale Preview!
Here are the works I'll be having at the MCAD Art Sale. It's tonight, tomorrow and Sat.
Update!!!
November 15, 10:47AM, 2011
Still recovering from the multiple epic 36 hour painting binges for the MCAD art sale. (Images to be posted later today!!) Did a bunch of work on the portrait commission. Its coming along nicely.
BACK TO PAINTING!!!!
-Mat
Brief update
Oct 25, 11:50AM, 2011
LOTS of irons in the fire! And as always, a few disasters along the way. Bad things first: my brother got hit by a truck on his motorcycle while he wasn't wearing a helmet. Him being made out of nails like he is broke his ankle.
Nothing else.
Kids trip while playing kick-ball break their ankles. My brother needed to get hit by a truck to break his!
Moving on...
New Studio!!!!
I finally have a new studio! Deposit and rent are deposited, and will move in December 1st!
ART SALE!!
ART SALE!!
Yes! Its almost here!! I've been working like a squirrel on espresso making stuff (awesome stuff too!)
I'll be posting those over the next couple days for the pre-MCAD Art Sale.
Final day to buy is Nov 5th!!!! So check back tomorrow for the first of the batch to be completed.
I'll be posting those over the next couple days for the pre-MCAD Art Sale.
Final day to buy is Nov 5th!!!! So check back tomorrow for the first of the batch to be completed.
Commission Portraits!
Working on them. Slowly. But working on them. I needed to reference some other examples to remember a few secrets; very worth it. These two are going to be incredible! So they will hopefully be worth the wait.
Working on them. Slowly. But working on them. I needed to reference some other examples to remember a few secrets; very worth it. These two are going to be incredible! So they will hopefully be worth the wait.
That's it!
Back to Painting!!
-Mat
Face Painting
Started adding the large blocks of color to the face. These facets of color actually are what lends to caucasian skin tone; look at anyone's face and you will see these small patches of color. These will then have their edges blended together and allowed to dry. The next layer will utilize cool colors, and give the painting a more dimensional feel.
Back to Painting!!
-Mat
Painting Updates
October 11, 7:24AM, 2011
Got the background under colors finished. Next up is a light glaze to bring out some of the compositional shapes and starting painting the dark darks of the figures.
This is a nearly finished painting for the MCAD Art Sale. I added an indian yellow glaze and some white accents to make it glow.
-Mat
Website is up!
October 10, 2:26PM, 2011
Got the website back up. 2010 page needs some work (nav buttons don't work :/ ) but I'll tackle that in the next day or so.
Going to post some painting updates. Probably tonight... maybe. Since the entire building my studio is in is winding down, the internet has gone. Using my phone tethered to my computer, which is making things.... "interesting".... anyways....
Back to Painting!!!
-Mat
Got the website back up. 2010 page needs some work (nav buttons don't work :/ ) but I'll tackle that in the next day or so.
Going to post some painting updates. Probably tonight... maybe. Since the entire building my studio is in is winding down, the internet has gone. Using my phone tethered to my computer, which is making things.... "interesting".... anyways....
Back to Painting!!!
-Mat
Website is down :(
FTP server is acting up. I need to take my whole computer to another location so I can upload the website. Monday morning it should be back.
-Mat
Scary Busy!
October 8, 1:15AM, 2011
Sorry for the lack of updates. Scary busy with lots and LOTS of irons in the fire!
Here's a mock-up of a side project I'm working with the word smith Will Wright on.
More updates to follow shortly.
Back to Painting!!!
-Mat
Sorry for the lack of updates. Scary busy with lots and LOTS of irons in the fire!
Here's a mock-up of a side project I'm working with the word smith Will Wright on.
Back to Painting!!!
-Mat
Starting a New Commission!
October 1, 2011, 11:59PM
Started a new commission! Got a little involved in the painting of the under-painting (apologies) I haven't done a portrait in a while, a bit fun!
Next up will be the darkest darks, as soon as the tonal painting dries.
Back to Painting!
-Mat
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