Sunday, August 29, 2010

Challenge 8 - Puppy



Although I called the last challenge simple, it did not turn out to be that way. The figs texture looked too easy until you actually start painting.

I am still amazed how many talented artists work in a complete isolation and never show their work to the world. Sometimes only garbage can knows how good the work was. Hence, I would like to congratulate all of you not only on your dedication and persistence in painting this challenge, but also for the courage to show your work and share it with the rest of us at PADT. Each attempts counts and should be rewarded.

Congratulate yourself on a great achievement, make small coffee break (you don't want a big one to forget what you have learned from the previous painting) and get yourself ready for the next, this time very serious challenge.

About the photo reference

One of the initial Old Masters painting stages was "value study", often called dead layer or underpainting, executed in different values of a single color (black, green or umber). This painting challenge was chosen to practice a very interesting value study. The background should be simple and gradual. Please eliminate all background from the photo and make your own background if you like.

The dog puppy color reads as black. Not much of color is visible anywhere. This small puppy was purposely chosen so that no matter which painting or drawing medium you choose, color will be the last thing to wary about. The values will definitely be the biggest headache.

There are 2 main goals to accomplish in this challenge: 1) very sophisticated value study which will eventually produce distinguishable parts of the puppy's head 2) drawing realistic fur/hair

None of them is easy or simple. But I thought let's practice with puppy, not a human head. None will be upset if it does not turn as planned.

The last note is a reminder about "flattening" camera properties. All deepest darks look flat, in the photo, although in the real life they are not. Even the deepest darks have texture and different values in them. So, please keep that in mind while you are painting this subject.

Please send a photo of your painting the latest by September 18. The next painting reference will be posted on Sunday September 19.