Sijun Forums :: View topic - An original self-portrait to critique (please?)

L99Relm · Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2000 11:41 am

I thought I'd try my hand at doing a self-portrait after seeing all of the cool ones posted lately. I used a mirror to help me draw the original sketch, I then took a picture of it using a digital camera and what you see here is the colored over sketch. I think I got it to almost look like me (though not all the way, something I've always had a problem with when doing these). The shading gave me some trouble because I made up the light source and tried to guess how it would look. I found shading the face especially challenging. Any critiques you could give me on making this look more realistic/better would be greatly appreciated. Thanks =)

larger version

klaivu · Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2000 11:53 am

1. the face is fairly contrast-free. add darker tones.
2. the shirt is over-saturated and does not fit into the colour theme at all. plus the shading is a bit weird - the face is a lot better than the shirt.
3. the ears are a bit simplified - and the one on my left shouldnt be that light.

i say redraw the whole shirt and draw what you see instead of what you know.

[This message has been edited by klaivu (edited November 26, 2000).]

L99Relm · Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2000 6:31 pm

Thanks, klaivu and Guy. Hmmm...Would anyone else care to reply?

PS Guy I'm a she not a he (my hair is in a ponytail in the pic, but even so I hope it's not that hard to tell :P)

Lukias · Guest Member #

Hey I think its cool you've done well, the shading seems pretty normal to me, though I agree (bigger tonal range on the face) on the contrast.

(I winced when Guy said *he*)

PS let your hair down, it'd look better IMHO

A red head with green eyes.....what a combo.......groovy

[This message has been edited by Lukias (edited November 26, 2000).]

futureskully · Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2000 8:06 pm

You did a fine job maybe a post of the original sketchs would help see why you picked that shirt. It looks like its the begining of a classy picture with a few changes possibly the shirt which throws your eyes to it (eye sore) instead of the wonderfully crafted face. Nice work on light source and I am sure was difficult to work on colouring etc(I do a lot for my graphics). Continue the good work and keep it up no matter what anyone says..hope my Crit was usefull.

FutureSkully
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JohnC · Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2000 9:23 pm

L99Realm,

I think you painted a very good portrait of youreself. I love the colors and the style in my opinion is exceptional.

It looks like an illustration that could be used in books for children or young adults.

Can I ask if you do any professional work?In school?

In any case give youreself a pat on the back for a job well done

[This message has been edited by JohnC (edited November 26, 2000).]

Guy · Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2000 12:29 am

personaly i think its quite good. very nice contrasting colours.

klaivu: how do you know she's going for realism? just a thought

EDIT: shit im sorry .. damn thats embarising

[This message has been edited by Guy (edited November 26, 2000).]

L99Relm · Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2000 9:47 am

Looks like I've got my work cut out for me...It seems like the biggest thing I'm going to have to mess with is the shirt, since most of you don't think the blue fits the color scheme. Should I make it a dark green instead? Klaivu, you said that the ears are over simplified. Do you mean that I need to shade them better or what? I don't see any other details to add..maybe it's my shading that makes them look flat and simple. Lukias, you think I should try drawing my hair down? That would be quite a challenge (oh and my hair really is a darker blonde color, *sigh* another thing to change). JohnC, I don't do any professional work, I'm in 11th grade this year and all of my art is done for practice...just trying to get better. Thank you again for your comments people.

L99Relm · Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2000 10:21 am

I started changing things and this is what happened... Is it better? Is it worse? Or should I ask? (note I spent about four or five hours "fixing" it).

larger version

L99Relm · Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2000 2:32 pm

*Urg* already lost in an avalanche of posts... Would anyone care to reply?

mantis · Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2000 2:51 pm

i like version deux. The colors blend better with the background but I the image loses a lot of realism with the gold glasses. I don't know why but it makes it looks like a fairy tale piece or something, I would change the glass color. . .

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Visigoth · Guest Member #

I like the second one better as well...The hair adds alot more mood to it...As far as the contrast goes that someone mentioned, I think it looks fine the way it is...I like your use of color.

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Your car is a fiberglass penis extension.

jHof · Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2000 3:15 pm

I think that looks a lot better than the first version. Are you glasses that yellow/goldish on your face? They seem pretty pimp'n goldish ya know

I personally would have drawn my hair in masses of shades. You seemed to have almost drawn out every strand of hair. Sitting that close for the picture, you prolly picked up on a lot of detail. I think it still looks good the way you've done it. Maybe give it a try with less strands, take a good look at how your hair looks over all in tone and color. Looks like you did that in a couple parts. But I'm not a pro, so I'm not saying it's gona make it look better