Well, I bit the bullet and did an oil portrait. I know it is really bad, but I am very happy with how it turned out, because, for some reason, oil paints are very difficult for me. I need to use them regularly and after a time I am pretty sure I will get used to them.
This first photo is my initial underpainting using burn umber and white with solvent and medium. I learned that mixing a lot of white with earth pigments makes grey. LOL!
I also learned, from fellow artists, that the above was not a finished underpainting. I thought it was, but after doing another layer on the underpainting, I must confess that they were right. This layer is done with burnt umber and white with no solvent or medium, just right out of the tube.
After that layer dried, I applied color. I am still learning how to make skin tones, how to add medium, how to blend, how to shade. I guess we can say I am still learning how to paint with oils. LOL!
I like it. I do hope that I will improve greatly, however. I am pretty excited to have finished my first oil portrait (even if she is a little strange looking…) YIPPEE!
“When I paint a person, his enemies always find the portrait a good likeness.” — Edvard Munch
exists to create art which reflects the beauty and the glory of God, to use art to comfort and encourage people, and to inspire others to pursue the arts. 