Marvin (art)

[tripperfunster]

*sigh*

I've almost finished the portrait of my friend's child, but I'm not happy with it. :(

I mean, all and all, it's not half bad, as far as portraits go, but since this child is DEAD, I feel like it's got to be better. Much better.

I've aged him here (unintentionally, of course) and I think I'll try again, but focus more on the rounded features of a seven year old. I aged my own son when I drew him too. My eyes are obviously more drawn to angles than curves, and little kids are more curvy.

I also went too heavy with the black in the shadows. I should have used rich dark browns instead, so the look more like shadows and less like dirt.

Any other crit would be much appreciated.

Comments

[gestaltrose.livejournal.com]

this would be so hard for me to do (if I could draw and not just appreciate art) You are a wonderful wonderful person.

I think the proportion is off a little and that is making him look older too. I looked up poropotion and childrens faces and while I couldn't find anything that I could say... look here it just seems off.

Please please please feel free to ignore me. As I said I'm not an artist. *loves you to bits*

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

yes, his head is too long and not wide enough. Generally, after a day or two, my mistakes seem very obvious to me, but while I'm drawing I have a lot of trouble figuring out exactly WHAT isn't working.

Thanks for the lovely words.

And yes, you're right. This has been very hard to do, and I guess I'm going to be doing it all over again right away. *sigh*

[gestaltrose.livejournal.com]

I know it has been horribly hard on you. I realize it is nothing compared to what your friend is going through but you too are mourning this child and you have to look at his smiling face and try to become detached a little and just draw him. Fuck honey I don't think I could do it.

*loves you more* I am so impressed by you... I don't know if my admiration comes across but you move me to tears love.

*snuggles you close*

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Thank you! You're so sweet.

I'm actually a bit surprise just HOW MUCH his death affected me. I didn't know him, just his mother, but I heard about him, of course, and my friend was always so great when my kids were around, that you could tell she was an awesome mom.

I guess, since I have a son exactly the same age, I could just SOOO empathize with her grief. Plus, she is such a sweet woman, that it broke my heart just to think of this unthinkable pain that she was going through.

Thanks for the kind words. I'll try drawing him again, and I know it will be much better.

[drachenmina]

I don't know how you can do this without sobbing. I'm finding it hard enough to write a comment.

but... as well as making the face rounder and softer, should the eyes be a little larger? I think that may be part of what's making him look older.

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

I cried at the drop of a hat for the first three weeks after he died. My kids thought I was insane. ;)

It's a bit easier now, but yeah, still hard. You can't help but think, 'what a cute smile, but he'll never smile again' or you can see where he'd lost a tooth, but that tooth will never grow in. Okay, I'm getting myself upset again.

Yes, rounder and softer. I'm so used to drawing Snape and House that I focus on the tiny craigs and details!

Thanks for helping. I"ll post the 'improved' one when he's done.

[euclase.livejournal.com]

Fixing this is easy. There's not much wrong at all.

1. Soften the lines around his mouth. Even if they're there, soften them.
2. Brighten your highlights, smooth out the contrast in his face. It's a silly mental image, but youthful faces are like water balloons. Try to keep that in mind.

This is one time when you have to ignore the details of the reference photo and concentrate instead on what "youth" looks like. Look at your reference and focus on what's youthful about it--highlight what's glossy and soft and plump. Your drawing is a bit too hard and dark (the black looks gorgeous--I wouldn't change any of the black), but it's not because something's off. It's because you "oversaw" the details. Try to undersee them now. I know that's hard, because it's what you're used to striving for, but that's how you do "youth." Try a little bit of intuition. Try a little unfocusing. Kids are shiny, yeah?

You can do it. The foundation is there, and it's brilliant. :)

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Thanks hon! That is FANTASTIC advice! And you're right, they really ARE like water balloons!

I've made his face too long as well, so I'll be starting from scratch. I made the mistake of drawing from an actual photograph (something I rarely do) as opposed to drawing from a picture on my laptop monitor. I've now scanned in the pic, so it will be easier to draw in the way I'm accustomed.

*thinks plump and shiny*

[drcjsnider.livejournal.com]

I think it's really good... an amazing job given everything...

*hugs to you* for being such a great friend

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Thank you! You know, I really wished that there was something I could do to help her, and when she asked, I jumped at the chance. My god, even if it helps 1% it will be worth any problems I have with it.

[outofthisplace.livejournal.com]

You're so great.

Yeah, you definitely need to soften up the lines everywhere, I like what euclase said about young faces looking like water balloons. And I don't know if Marvin really had that serious of a clefted chin, but that's standing out to me as something very aging. perhaps a bit less emphasis there?

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Nah, his chin is clefted, but I over did it. (along with all the other details.)

Yeah, Euclase is an AMAZING artist, and gives great concrit (and tutorials).

I'll re-do this and focus on the shiny.

[juniperus.livejournal.com]

*hugs you*

This is so hard to do, you are stronger than I.

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Seriously, this is nothing.

I have never seen such pure and profound grief as this poor woman has had. I honestly don't think I could survive something like that.

[glockgal.livejournal.com]

You've already got some great advice, bebe and I hope you succeed! What you're doing is such an amazing thing for the family. <3 <3

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Thanks hon! <3

I'll post the re-do. Man, EVERYTHING is always such a learning experience!

[xenafox.livejournal.com]

Ahh so this is what you were talking about :/ Yea that must be really hard. It must be really hard to detach yourself and do this, which I think would be necassary to focu and make a great picture.

I think the picture itself really is amazing, but you're right about the eyes when I think about it. I don't really have critique... ^^; His head is a bit long? Heh.

*Hugs you tight* :(

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

yeah, you're right, his head is too long. (along with the things that other people have said)

*hugs you back* *slips you the tongue*

[joanwilder.livejournal.com]

No advice, tripp, I'll leave that to the artses. I'd be so nervous about doing this too. You want to get it just right for her, and that's a lot of pressure. *hugs*

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Thanks hon.

Yeah. I'll re-do it and it will be BETTER! muuuuch better.

*hugs you back and grabs your ass*

[deemichelle.livejournal.com]

as a fan of yours and someone who can draw (just not as well), I think he's gorgeous. She'll love it no matter what. He does seem older than seven; however, she'll have this forever and be happy that she does.

You're a great friend for drawing that for her.

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Thank you! What a lovely thing to say!

Yes, I know she'll appreciate it, regardless, but I think i'm going to try it again, from the start. I've gotten some great artistic advice here (and lots of great compliment and hugs from everyone) so I'm ready to go again!

I'll post when it's done.

thanks for the encouragement! <3

[kerosinkanister.livejournal.com]

I don't really have any crit but I'm really impressed. And you're an amazing friend! I know that's got to be so tough.

[verdenia.livejournal.com]

Wow, Tripp. Good on you for doing this, sounds tough. ♥

It seems to me like his right cheekbone is too low -- like the right side of his face is even longer than the left.

GL!!! *HUGS*