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Showing posts from June, 2013

Oil Painting Demo of Judith Beheading Holofernes in Oil Glazes

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Portrait painting poses challenges, especially when videoing the process. In this case, I opted for the Hebrew character Judith from Caravaggio’s painting ‘Judith Beheading Holofernes.’ This chiaroscuro painting tells a grisly story, but my real focus was Judith’s facial expression set against a somber background. Chiaroscuro in Oils Demo of a Caravaggio Painting Caravaggio’s grisly painting tells the story of Judith’s seduction and subsequent dispatch of Holofernes, an Assyrian general set out to crush the resistance against the Neo-Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar II. Judith’s home would become a casualty of Holoferne’s campaign if she had not decapitated him after getting him drunk. As can be seen here, Caravaggio used chiaroscuro to convey the dark atmosphere. Chiaroscuro, one of the painting modes of the Renaissance period is a painting style featuring dramatic lighting against a somber background. Dramatic Scenes of Renaissance Artists Judith Beheading Holofernes ...

I Can't Paint Shadows on Portraits

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Painting shadows on a face is different to suggesting shadows on buildings or a landscape. The beginner may treat both subject matter the same, expressing facial shadows as definite grey or black shapes on top of the skin color, resulting in dark pools or dirty smudges. How can the hopeful portraitist paint shadows that suggest contours on a portrait? Why Portraits are Difficult to Paint Shading Techniques for Portraiture Portrait painting is often perceived to be a difficult subject matter to tackle. Little wonder when the face forms an important part of what we see. Our brains are highly sensitive to interpreting facial expressions or judging the character of someone by their features. The smallest deviation regarding an outline or a shadow will affect the overall appearance. In the case of painting, the portrait may no longer resemble the person portrayed. Our brains will not forgive these crucial deviances, and when it comes to shadows and contours, getting it right is eve...

Skin Tones in Oil: 10 Step by Step Guides from Old Masters Art Book on Figure Painting

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This oil painting guide book on producing figure art contains ten art demonstrations centering upon classic oil paintings from old masters. Each demo contains in depth instructions on how each painting was completed. An invaluable guide for artists wishing to explore flesh tones in art, this book also gives invaluable tips on conducting the underdrawing, the under-glaze and making oil painting simple and manageable within any environment. Art Book on How to Paint Figures Now available in large edition, the old master paintings were selected with an art technique in mind. Each chapter is dedicated to one painting. Sections include background information on the painting depicted; explanation of the oil painting technique to be explored, a list of art materials needed and then (on average) 28 images in progress with accompanying instructions. Skin Tones in Oil: 10 Step by Step Guides Artists wishing to try out different techniques may do so without feeling daunted about trying...