EASEL OF Abbi Schellhase
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Ubem on August 2, 2018 at 8:23 pm
Awesome work, I adore the star halo idea! The colors and values feel flat and photo-like, which may be a fault of the reference’s lighting, adding a few extra subtle hue shifts and values might really bring the skin tones to life. The proportions seem to veer toward the right a bit and does not sell the curviness of the lower skull enough.
Sorry about the terrible paint over, really wish there was an undo button haha.
Keep up the fantastic painting, looking stellar so far!
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Abbi on August 3, 2018 at 10:55 am
Super helpful, thank you!
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michaelrea on August 3, 2018 at 5:15 am
Hi Abbi,
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Lovely concept with the stars, and great work with the hair (it always fascinates me how dark hair can be represented with blues). The reflection in the eyes really makes the image too.
I think it’s a bit unclear in the image where the light source is coming from – we’ve got a shadow behind her left shoulder but also her right shoulder too, so I guess there are two sources?
It feels like you’d get more roundness to the face if you amplify the light source from the left, and increase your cast shadows – most of all around the chin which feels quite flat at the moment. You have the shadow from her hair on her right cheek, but it feels like there would be a highlight there? Tried to add that with the draw-over tool but it’s a bit unwieldy!
Finally I’m not sure what the background is … wings? Or stone with carved curving elements?
All in all I think it’s a great image – but would be helped by getting a smaller brush and finishing off all those detail bits (the neck-choker thing, the feathery texture on the chest etc). Hope that helps!-
Abbi on August 3, 2018 at 10:57 am
That’s very helpful; thanks so much!
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mpMann on August 4, 2018 at 12:47 pmPlacement of the jaw seems OK, you just need to soften the edges so that it doesn’t feel so tacked on. I’m sure that will come as you finish it. One of the things that will help to give her flesh tones more reality is if you bring warm and cool notes into them. For instance, the lit areas might have some warmth to them, and likewise, bring some warm light into the shadow areas. But let the transitions be cool. Here’s a good experiment (works with oils anyway). Paint the shadow areas with Raw Umber, and then use Flake White or perhaps Brilliant Yellow, Extra Pale to paint the lit areas. Where the two overlap you will find some wonderful cool midtones. People will be shocked when they learn that you did not use blue paint. After value, color temperature is the most important aspect for color to impart reality. If you get these right, you can get away with almost any hue. Check out the great European painters from the baroque period forward. You can see it all through their paintings.
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Abbi on August 6, 2018 at 3:22 pm
I really appreciate your input. Once I’m back at my drawing table I will see if I can incorporate your suggestions. I’m working in acrylics and finding it very challenging because of the fast dry times, but this is what I’m using for now since I don’t have any oils or oil supplies. I have a sneaking suspicion that some of the beautiful glowy effects I want will come much more naturally with oils.
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mpMann on August 4, 2018 at 12:51 pm
BTW, Abbi, I am glad to see someone else hopping around dropping critiques. My table (16 c’mon by) is so far a bit of a dud with only one other active participant. We’ve exchanged notes but I’d welcome visitors from other tables. Hopefully, my other four table mates will get active soon. You’ve got a good group here.
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Abbi on October 9, 2018 at 2:36 pm
I have an updated image which I’ll see if I can post in a comment!
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Abbi Schellhase
A self-taught, multimedia artist in the Washington, DC area. I’m interested in realism that incorporates subtle nods to fantasy, and in using portraiture to represent meaningful moments from my life.
I am open to critique
I WOULD LIKE HELP WITH
Help with anatomy, lighting, mood, composition, and recommendations for blending soft skin tones using acrylic paint all welcome!
This piece has turned out well! I like the change you made to the garment at the neck. The chin looks much more natural now. I also like the warm notes you added to the skin. I imagine you could increase your value range if you wanted to. The shadows in the face darker and the highlights lighter. I may turn the form even more. But that could be a stylistic choice and I love extremes.