I paint a little - however, I mostly do abstract art. I'm not talented enough to make paintings like the ones you create!

I wonder if you could run the picture through AI to give you some inspiration? It seems to me that changing the mouth to a smile would change the mood. However, I have no artistic ability whatsoever so I don't know if that's a hard thing to do.

That’s ironic Dani, because I love abstract art and am much too intimidated to produce it. It’s hard enough to make something look like itself, I cannot even begin to paint just the idea of it. That is a completely different process and much more difficult!

And that’s a thought, Fun 🤔 Heretofore when I have tried to to make a person look pleased or pleasant they just look snide.

Painting is hard!! I am in awe of those who can draw and paint.

I also am in awe of anyone who can paint, and I think you are very talented, @Kswl!

Also very funny.

Ks, she looks fantastic! Awesome work. 👏

I have zero artistic ability but have always heard portraits are hard and I can understand why. Your lady looks good imo, and i think @Fun2BHere’s AI suggestion would be fun to play with. And @deegw’s idea and example are very nice.

I’m impressed. I know how hard it is.

Your portrait came out great, kswl! watercolor, right?

I suspect that animal portraits are even more difficult than people. Good luck with it!

People are indeed hard.

Oh. Wait - you mean to paint! 😆

I love the portrait. It has a slightly abstract feel to it for me, almost like it is based on a dream.

Well done! I instantly saw frida Kahlo.🌼🌼🌼

I’m going to try fun’s suggestion with Chatty. May try this same portrait again using its recs.

Partymusic that’s a wonderful portrait— and an ambitious one for your first! You are very brave, I would have taken the artistic license to redecorate the chair in a solid color😎 I’m mainly playing with watercolor now but am using acrylics for my SIL’s birthday dog painting…. less pressure, itkwim.

Dee, the first people I painted were two kids from behind! I was thrilled they were recognizable even though I was basically just painting clothes. Faces, expressions, eyes and demeanor are the scary parts, and what make the portrait.

I appreciate these very lovely, supportive comments ❤️ I’ll never be a truly skilled portrait artist but my goal is more modest, like a C+ level of competency.

Jojo, it was actually this woman

with added jewelry, lol.

I’ve painted Kahlo before and it only worked bc stern is her default expression!

I am so envious of those who can draw and paint.

And, kswl, your portrait is interesting. You make it look easy — keep at it.

(Have you been receiving photos of forum members or their kids, requesting that you paint them?)

Lollol—Our lot here is smarter than that Petal!

In about my 3rd watercolor class the teacher asked us to do self portraits. I kinda thought I got my ’worst’ details most accurately. Will hunt up and attach shortly.

eta- it appears I have deleted the self portrait from the permanent collection. Happy/ sad. It was an uncomfortable but revealing project.

@Kswl, you’ve inspired me. I’m signing DD up for the watercolor classes for our cruise on the QM2. She’s better than she thinks.

That painting is impressive. I cant draw to save my life, so your painting seems pretty good to me. Very good, actually.

We had art classes in school and I remember our teacher saying that if we ever came across a person who looks like the ones we drew, we would be scared to death. Said in good humor, pf course.

Always in awe of your talent. I do not have any talent in that area. Stick figures are the best I can do. Seriously.

What can I say that I haven't already - your talent is amazing and there's still more to uncover. Your work is incredible!

Everything I've seen you post looked very professionally done! Bravo!!! Hope to see you posting more....

I took a basic drawing class over the summer and am now taking a portraits class. Yes, hard! We only spent one class on portraits in basic drawing, but did a bunch of practice working from celebritiy photos. I don't think any of them were recognizable as who they were supposed to be. As generic people, they were fine. As representations of particular people they left a lot to be desired.

I don't think any of them were recognizable as who they were supposed to be. As generic people, they were fine. As representations of particular people they left a lot to be desired.

Exactly, that is the hardest part. If you are "off" a tiny bit, you have totally different person. This is why I like landscapes; who's to say what is off or not!

In any event, it's pretty and you are having such fun with it too!

I‘m so impressed!

I only paint walls 😀

Two things about eyes are that they sit in shadow because of the nose and brow, and that the whites of the eyes are rarely white, but there is always a spot of highlight adjacent to the pupil.

Yes, Pal! And that white highlight is very difficult for me. Some watercolorists leave a tiny bit of white on the paper for it, which is hard (for me) to do without masking fluid. But even with it it’s hard to know where you will want it before the eyes are really there. Many people put it in as an ”aftermarket” cheat using gouache. For small areas I use a white gel pen. Easy to cover and redo. One of this portrait’s pupils is okay and one is not 🙁

So true also that the infinite variety of human appearance and expression is measured in the smallest increments— just getting the basic proportions of the anatomy right takes a lot of practice, The eyes are much lower from the top of the head than most people realize! (Well lower than I realized until I started doing some online tutorials on the subject.)

Thank you all for this positive reinforcement, it is really encouraging and the comments are often helpful. I’d really like to see someone start a regular creative expression thread…… someone who does not already host a monthly thread….hint, hint!

Are you painting shadows much in your other work? IIRC, those works have been one dimensional and don't require them. Instead of trying to paint facial features, try doing a few tutorials just in painting shadows.

When I was first learning watercolor, our teacher told us you throw out the first 500 - I'm no watercolor expert either 😄

And I think the underlying drawing is very important for good results. Are you practicing drawing faces?

Kswl - I definitely disagree about abstracts being more difficult - it's much easier to paint an idea/feeling - especially compared to real people!

I do sketch most days but mostly buildings and inanimate objects. I always do a cartoon of the subject with a pencil on the paper or canvas, then use my kneaded eraser to make the lines very faint.

I am almost finished with SIL’s childhood dog, all that’s left is a bit more brushwork, a collar that says Timber and a frame.

What Pal said re eyes.( doesnt show well here ) Tho this is a dog, quickly sketched by my friend, she gets the light in the eyes . KSWL!! I’m a huge admirer of all you take on….and learn so quickly !

.!!

That is such a lovely sketch Marti! Your friend is very talented ❤️

I used to be hesitant to try something brand new for which I have no affinity or skills….. in my third act I have clearly lost that inhibition 😎

FWIW, a trick I learned many years ago is to turn your work upside down to check for symmetry, distortions, etc....