I've started a small portrait of my niece's husband's father. If it works out OK then I shall attempt a larger and 'proper' portrait of him. Here's the rub, Jeff's dad is dead and there is only one inferior photograph of him available from which to paint. I think he was Chief of Police in Algeria at the time. Here it is:
As you can see there are few shadows and next to no details: folds in the cloth etc.
I'm going to cheat a little and try to copy the shadows from a photograph of His Majesty King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, who is standing in roughly the same position and wearing similar clothing:
Should be an adventure!
What a clever idea to use the shadow pattern of the face from another pic. He is a handsome man - more so than the king so don't screw it up John! laughing here...Cant wait to see it.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is, as you know, painting a portrait of someone that the family don't know, is easier than painting someone they do know. In the former, they look at the painting, in the latter they look for a likeness ... the slightest difference is what is noticed. Rules of the game!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great adventure! The underpainting looks good!
ReplyDeleteThanks Judy
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