I just managed to squeeze in another master study of Goya here. This time a self-portrait I found online. To me, this was supposed to be one that took less effort or time, yet again, I seemed to go in and overwork it until it looked just like the original, or as close as can be, in the time I allotted myself and given the limitations of learning a new software. Again, I used KRITA software for this, used a different brush altogether, and sped myself up. I like how economy let me work a but fast on the larger value shapes. This was a good learning piece. It was about 1 hour this time. Getting closer, I think. One thing I noticed in this is that I have a hard time replicating small, thin, solid lines in a smooth manner. They consistently come out arthritic and squiggly. It might be that KRITA and my BAMBOO tablet are not jiving yet - or maybe I have more to learn about configuring them. Also, I seemed to have worked at only 2 zoom levels on this one, whereas, the others were more like 5-7.

As for what I "noticed" or "felt" about GOYA and his self-portrait is that it clearly is old and damaged. I don't think he actually had made such a rough portrait. Given that, emphasis is left with the focus on his white undergarments and bow-tie. While he worked those with the most crisp detail and a fair amount of contrast his eyes were laid in with soft, dark, and brooding tones. It sure seemed like there was odd cast light in the place he was painting. It is clear he wanted his white clothes and his eyes to work in unison in conveying a possible dichotomy in his personality, whether genuine or for play, I do not know. Again, with these masters, there is a theme of low depth of field with the focus on the face or a part of the body in these portraits.

C&C welcome. Thanks!

17 to go...

5/25/16 Edited: Second master study is now live here. I did the medusa head painted by Caravaggio. I really liked the details and the economy used in the original and how it sort of kind fits with the theme of fantasy in terms of concept art. I again used Krita, and got a little better at it. I really focused on laying in the rough value shapes first, then hardening and softening edges and using the high and low values to try and get contrast close. Hope you all enjoy. Now to find time to do another one! What I noticed in this piece by him was the use of dark a light tones to emote and communicate shape. The crisp lines and highlights on the snakes seem to place some emphasis on those, likely to draw attention to the fact that she was medusa. It also helped placing some of them in the back and using softer more large fields of low value to establish a shallow depth of field. The eyes were tough to reproduce, but I think I got close. Again, I end up feeling like I overworked things. C&C welcome. Posted in the forums for LevelUp. 18 more to go...

Hello all! It has been a while for posting on my own site. Been doing a lot with side gigs that can't rally be shared as of yet. Also just started on the journey through the Level UP program with concept art's website. Pretty good deal I got on it. The first assignment had us doing 20 value studies from masters' paintings. This first one is from Botacelli and I think I may have overworked it. It was actually supposed to be rougher. However, I ended up refining it more and more. Also, I am not super thrilled as it was while learning a new program (Krita) for painting, fine tuning my new PC, and seeing what sort of stylus I should be using. Also, there was the few interruptions, kids calling, and work needing me while on vacation. See, I told you something would be up on here. Ok, time to check in on other things. Hope you enjoy it. Feedback welcome! Cheers!

PS - I was under time constraints, but went longer. I see things to improve if it were to be a finished painting. Next ones will be different and less refined.