From the Artist: This is my second painting that I have attempted and I would like to hear any comments or suggestions available on it.
From the Painting Guide: The face has an intently graphic quality, emphasized by the stark background (though I don't like the way this blends with the chin beard as at a glance it looks like there's a hole in the center of the painting). The painting has the intimacy of a face looming out of a darkened room lit by a candle, without the corresponding chiaroscuro effect darkening the figure's clothes and torso. It could be the photo, but the dark areas don't have the quality of color that the skin tones do, which are very well done.
Things to Consider When Looking at This Painting:
Face Shadow: What doesn't work for me is the intensity of light on the neck being identical to that on the face itself -- which direction is the light source? If it's from below, why is there a shadow on the jawline, and if it's from above, why isn't there light on the forehead? I would also expect part of the chin beard to be lighter than the rest, as the chin is.
From the Painting Guide: The face has an intently graphic quality, emphasized by the stark background (though I don't like the way this blends with the chin beard as at a glance it looks like there's a hole in the center of the painting). The painting has the intimacy of a face looming out of a darkened room lit by a candle, without the corresponding chiaroscuro effect darkening the figure's clothes and torso. It could be the photo, but the dark areas don't have the quality of color that the skin tones do, which are very well done.
Things to Consider When Looking at This Painting:
Face Shadow: What doesn't work for me is the intensity of light on the neck being identical to that on the face itself -- which direction is the light source? If it's from below, why is there a shadow on the jawline, and if it's from above, why isn't there light on the forehead? I would also expect part of the chin beard to be lighter than the rest, as the chin is.