From the Artist: I edited a photo of myself, using a cutout filter to develop a five-value black and white template. Then I transferred the template to the canvas and filled in the value areas with harmonious colors, almost like the old "paint by numbers" kits, without trying to blend one value area into another...
From the Painting Guide: The result is very effective, and certainly doesn't look like a kit painting. (Though counting the colors or tones I see more than five... is that cheating at Paint by Numbers?) You've created lovely, realistic skin tones and by not blending them have created a very painterly feel.
Things to Consider When Looking at This Painting:
Background: The light background is a bit too reminiscent of a passport-photo type background for me, and I think I'd add a dark background. I'd mix the darkest blue and brown to create an area of fairly solid or consistent color. It doesn't want to be too busy or have too much evident brushwork because then the face and skintones won't stand out as well.
From the Painting Guide: The result is very effective, and certainly doesn't look like a kit painting. (Though counting the colors or tones I see more than five... is that cheating at Paint by Numbers?) You've created lovely, realistic skin tones and by not blending them have created a very painterly feel.
Things to Consider When Looking at This Painting:
Background: The light background is a bit too reminiscent of a passport-photo type background for me, and I think I'd add a dark background. I'd mix the darkest blue and brown to create an area of fairly solid or consistent color. It doesn't want to be too busy or have too much evident brushwork because then the face and skintones won't stand out as well.