The DrawingBoard

by **em...** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 6:18 pm

Sometimes people ask to see it, so I thought I'd do a progress piece showing the stages of how I paint a portrait.

The subject is Keira Knightley, based on one of the photos in this month's Drawing Jam.

Stage 1 - 20mins

Rough scribbles just to get the basic proportions in. I'm not super-fussed about getting a likeness at this early stage - which is just as well, because it's looking sod all like her.

I do this bit at a low resolution and in greyscale for speed, and once I'm happy enough with the proportions, I scale it up.

by **johnnyB** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 6:24 pm

I appreciate you taking the time do this! I will be taking notes :wink:

I've noticed, while sketching her, that she has got kinda of a quirky nose to draw. It'll be interesting to see how you handle that.

by **Red Rook** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 7:32 pm

What a treat! Thanks em! I'll certainly stay tuned.

Love the subject line pun by the way. :wink:

by **yeticatcher** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 10:49 pm

This is going to be good! :shock:

-Tom

by **em...** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 3:23 am

Thanks guys.

johnnyB - Yes she does have an unusual nose. In fact, a lot of her features aren't what would be classed as ideal, but the combination works.

I lied a little about updated nightly - I'll possibly update a couple of times a day

Stage 2 - 20 to 30 mins approx

Blocking in the general colours. I decided to go with something totally different from the actual colour scheme in the photograph, opting for something warmer.

It's starting to look a bit more like her now (hopefully)

by **johnnyB** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 2:37 pm

I noticed that you are not too worried about staying in the 'lines'. Being new to photoshop, I'm always trying to keep it as clean as possible, as I'm worried that my cleanup will screw everthing up. :roll:

That's why it'll be nice to watch your progress to see how you finish this.

by **em...** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 3:03 pm

The lines are just a rough guide, and they'll be painted over anyway.

These days, I generally only use one layer and kind of "sculpt" the picture as I go along, painting in bits and painting over stuff that looks wrong.

I used to use loads of layers for different areas, highlights, shadows etc - but I actually find the single layer technique more liberating, and more akin to "real" painting

by **em...** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 8:08 pm

Stage 3 - 1hr approx

Now it gets a bit more interesting, as I start to refine the facial features, starting with the eyes - if you don't get them right, the likeness will be lost.

by **Shmisten** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 9:19 pm

Oooh! Looking Good! Looking Gooooooood Em!

I feel like I know all your art secrets now! muhuhahahaaa!

--Kristen

by **Fresco** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 10:09 pm

good show ol' chap!

the likeness is striking even at this early stage.

well done em...

by **Cruz Castillo** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 2:08 am

You mean updtated nightley ! :wink:

by **em...** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 6:39 am

Thanks, folks

Fresco - less of the "old", if you don't mind

by **johnnyB** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 12:31 pm

I've been meaning to ask you, what opacity do you set your brushes at?
Thanks.

by **em...** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 2:43 pm

I just use the standard Photoshop hard round brushes, with the stylus pressure settings on opacity - so that the harder I press on the Wacom, the more solid the colour.

I sometimes use the finger smudge tool a bit for things like the hairline and the eyebrows, to push the colours around a little and give a more convincing blend.

by **johnnyB** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 5:12 pm

I've just gotta get some of them toys!! I'm having to work with Photoshop 3 and a trackball. I'm trying to get my hands on ps 7, but that's going slow.(Grrr)

The DrawingBoard

Knightley - Finished, page 4, 23rd Sept

Knightley - Finished, page 4, 23rd Sept

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