How I Finished This Painting in 1 Week

From a simple picture on facebook, I was able to capture the details and features of my friend and her son. Here's how I started and finished this painting in less than 1 week.

Monday: After work I bought my supplies: Canvas, an assortment of Acrylic paints, and a variation of paint brushes. From my phone I was able to use a picture from facebook to sketch the portrait. I simply sketched just an outline of their bodies and just the forms of their features. Since, I am painting over the sketch theres no need to concentrate on so much details, that's less important. However, you do want to make sure that everything is proportioned to it's true size and space.  After thats complete, I mix my colors for the background and take long brush strokes across the canvas, leaving their body out. When the background is finished, I like to start mixing the flesh tone colors to start the face and features.

Tuesday: When mixing in flesh tones, you have to consider the person's complexion and skin tone. The woman is much lighter than the baby, so I have to blend more yellows, whites, and browns. And for him I had to apply more orange, red, and yellow tones with brown to match his complexion. As you can see, I left his eyes out to focus on the shape and roundness of his eyes, you have to work outside and than go inside filling in his pupils. 

Wednesday: I spent the entire afternoon, finishing their facial features. Detailing brush strokes to add shadow and highlights. As you can see, wrinkles or special folds in the skin. Like for instance, his bottom lip is flat and the lines under his lip to emphasize his chin and the way he holds his mouth like a pout. This is what makes us all different, we all have our own particular facial characteristics that make us all different and similiar. The woman has strong eye brows, and dimples that stand out. This takes a lot of time and patience because even as an artist you sometimes doubt yourself. I had to take small breaks and actually, "Step away from the paint brushes..." (Like an Officer would say!!! lol)

Also, with painting you can play around with color and manipulating value from darks to lights. Although, I used a picture to paint from, it's up to you to decide whats true to the subject. For instance, you can draw or paint a picture exactly the way you see it and it may not be the best representation of the subjects true self. That's why I decided to reconstruct her long hair from the photo to a short bob, I changed her wardrobe, and glamorized her accessories. These are all essential features that identify with my subject, so consider these elements when completing your artwork.

Thursday : I just had to finish the details on his sweater, capturing the wrinkles and folds. I also needed to complete his hands and work in his small hands. This was extremely difficult because I hate painting hands!!! However, it was rather easy due to the fact that his fingers are small and as long as I detailed the shadow between each finger, then step away it would all come together.

Friday: I had signed my signature, Chermia Lucas, along the corner and I was ready to surprise her with the painting. I was finally happy to see it hanging on the wall. I must now pat myself on the back.

If you are interested in a portrait for yourself or as a gift, please feel free to email me at chermiaamour@gmail.com and we can discuss all the details!!!:)