Attempting first portrait in AR3

[LogicsHere]

First, and thanks to MisterPaint, I used the filter he suggested to create the initial sketch as I could not draw to save my life.

While I have a LOT to learn, I've come up with the following thus far. I admit the new hair brushes helped me significantly in doing the hair. I was trying to achieve more of a shiny transparency over the black with the gray, but again as this is my first attempt . . . did the best I could.

The face is going to be the greatest challenge as skin tones are completely foreign to me and I also have tried painting eyes in the past and they have all turned out worse than a kindergartener's. . . lol. But it will be my next step and if anyone can offer any suggestions on how to learn these things other than trial and error because right now I am experiencing all error...lol, I'd appreciate it

[Sketchism71]

Hey Logics! You are of and running to a great start here. Continue blocking in all the areas with some basic tones and colors and try not to worry about the detail at this stage. Looking great and don't get discouraged. Keep us updated!

[arenhaus]

Don't go for textures or details when sketching. Plop down broad areas of color everywhere, and refine later.

About the worst thing you can do is leaving the background for later. Start with the background, then the foreground will look natural when you paint it.

And I notice you are making tiny haphazard "sawing" strokes with your pen. It's not a good way to work. Use your whole arm and make sweeping, wide movements with the pen.

[Judith Tramayne]

My advice turn your canvas upside down and your reference picture and just paint the colors you see.

As to painting eyes. Do not do lines, do colors only. If you really look into your reference picture (expand it up), you see nuances of color. Paint those and you'll have a wonderful portrait

Also use lots of layers!!! You can merge them later.

Judith

[koalablue]

Great advice on painting portraits guys!

[Ana_Loggana]

I think the hair looks great.

I don't know if this will be helpful--but it might. I just got here and was fooling around and doodling--when I was able to get all this to work at all. (see my other and first post.) Anyway, maybe import a picture and fill it in in terms of patches and colors to help loosen your tendency to detail? Like what I'm attaching (or think I'm attaching, lol) which is in no way no how meant to be seen as "art" or "finished."

[scribbledsoul]

Great start! Just remember, don't think of painting the skin and eyes themselves. Think of them as shapes and areas of color, and that makes it easier. Think also about the 3D form of your subject, and how light and shadow fall on it. That's probably not very helpful advice, but also watching people speedpainting with ArtRage on YouTube can be a good way to learn. Good luck and have fun!

~Scribbles