Minimalistic portrait

[aussie]

Lately I've been toying with this minimalistic technique (by minimalistic I mean to achive a facial likeness with as few lines and colors as possible):

To be honest, I'm pleased with the result. Still, I know this pic can do with some constructive criticism. Particularly with respect to the forehead hair (and with the hair in general, because I tend to find it very difficult to draw).





Paintovers super-welcome!

[deadsuperhero]

Wow, that looks great!

[lo_res_man]

It is wonderful, but it doesn't feel like the photo. Its a well don person, but its not THAT person. it also feels almost like you copied and pasted the eyes. I am no artist, but these are my crude obsevations. maybe someone else can put into words, what I can only feel.

[Babar]

You could make the shading more "full" instead of just as outlines? Because right now, the shading under her hair makes her look like she's wearing a wig. Also, the exact straight shading line on the top of the forehead makes her look bald, and messes around with the depth of the picture.

[Candall]

Its a well don person, but its not THAT person.

It's almost as if you tried to perfect the girl in the photo.  By doing this, you have omitted the details that make her beautiful.  You need very little shading to recapture her, in my opinion.  She has a pronounced divot between her nose and her lips (it's called a rhinostrum.  Isn't that interesting?).  Also, her two front teeth are slightly protrusive.  Look at the corners of her mouth... the photo has heavy shadows between the front teeth and the corners of the lips.  Your image does not.

Just my theory... that would seal the deal.  I could be wrong.

[Sam.]

Isnt it called the filtrum?

[aussie]

Thanks all for the crits!

It is wonderful, but it doesn't feel like the photo. Its a well don person, but its not THAT person.

That's interesting, actually. I thought I had managed to achieve a likeness, but I must have obviously spent way too long in front of the picture.

You could make the shading more "full" instead of just as outlines? Because right now, the shading under her hair makes her look like she's wearing a wig. Also, the exact straight shading line on the top of the forehead makes her look bald, and messes around with the depth of the picture.

I don't get your point about making the shading more "full". Do you mean shading large areas?

In any case, I agree with the rest of your comment. That can be fixed fairly easily, so I'll give it a go. It still leaves me with the hair problem, though.

It's almost as if you tried to perfect the girl in the photo. By doing this, you have omitted the details that make her beautiful. You need very little shading to recapture her, in my opinion. She has a pronounced divot between her nose and her lips (it's called a rhinostrum. Isn't that interesting?). Also, her two front teeth are slightly protrusive. Look at the corners of her mouth... the photo has heavy shadows between the front teeth and the corners of the lips. Your image does not.

I quite like those two points you make because they would make her come more alive, so I've tried to implement them.

Unfortunately, the shadows in the corner of ther teeth do not seem to add much to my picture (in the sense that they're barely noticeable). And I just can't get the rinostrum/filtrum/cleptosphyridium right. 

[Babar]

I don't get your point about making the shading more "full". Do you mean shading large areas?

Yes, that is what I mean. Her nose is very well defined with shadows (in the photograph), but yours does not have this, and I don't think your cheekbones shading matches well with the actual photograph. Is basic shading what you meant when you said minimalistic?

About fixing the hair (at the top of the forehead), perhaps you can also making it look less like a wig by having longer hairs that don't look like they take root just at the fringe?

[Nacho]

for me, looks like you' ve changed her race... She is caucasian and in your version looks black due the curly and black hair (Maybe you should attempt some browns on her hair?), and maybe because the lips are too big and the nose 5 or 6 pixels too wide, dunno. Also, the right eye (The left eye, fore her) has too make up shadow, stare at it a moment and you' ll see it, too many black.

[2ma2]

In a portrait, everything lies in the eyes. Step back and really digest the shapes and shades of her eyes, then try to portray them. This is not easy, this is hard as hell. I wish you good luck.

[aussie]

Whoa guys! That's plenty! Thanks!

Yes, that is what I mean. Her nose is very well defined with shadows (in the photograph), but yours does not have this, and I don't think your cheekbones shading matches well with the actual photograph. Is basic shading what you meant when you said minimalistic?

About fixing the hair (at the top of the forehead), perhaps you can also making it look less like a wig by having longer hairs that don't look like they take root just at the fringe?

Yes, by minimalistic I meant keeping detail to a minimum, including shading. I realise your point about the shades defining her nose. In fact, like Nacho points out, I think that's the main difference with the original portrait. making it a bit narrower might help. For the moment I just don't want to experiment too much with shades.

I think you're right about the hair. I'll try to implement your suggestion.

for me, looks like you' ve changed her race... She is caucasian and in your version looks black due the curly and black hair (Maybe you should attempt some browns on her hair?), and maybe because the lips are too big and the nose 5 or 6 pixels too wide, dunno.

Also, the right eye (The left eye, fore her) has too make up shadow, stare at it a moment and you' ll see it, too many black.

I think the nose makes a world of a difference. Hers looks narrower that my pic. I'll have a go at the hair like you say, but I just find it generally hard to draw...

I wasn't too happy with that eye, you're correct.

In a portrait, everything lies in the eyes. Step back and really digest the shapes and shades of her eyes, then try to portray them. This is not easy, this is hard as hell. I wish you good luck.

Agreed. Difficult indeed.

[InCreator]

Maybe this helps:



It's a treshold filter. Wouldn't image be better if you used this for clearer shading reference?
Just apply filter to photo, pick a level you think that would work and try.

Currently, you somehow managed to change this girl's race. I can't explain how, but she should be black or latin by your painting.

[Andail]

You have managed to accentuate exactly those things that make a face look african. Especially the nose has a bit too much flesh. Also, try softening the eye brushes and instead add make-up around the eyes (and add some lashes).
Moreover, the hair is good except for where it's attached to her forehead, which is just plain wrong and make her look like a cheap doll.
Overall the portrait is nice though.

[EagerMind]

You have managed to accentuate exactly those things that make a face look african.

Hmmm, didn't really pick up on this at first, but now that everyone mentions it .... Perhaps change the color of her skin a bit - maybe a bit less olive and more peach-colored? Also, maybe make her lower lip a little less fuller.

Not sure if someone already mentioned it, but her hairline also needs to be more rounded. I think we should still be able to see the top of her hairline. Also, maybe try making it just a smooth line and draw in the larger strands of hair coming down on her forhead. Right now it looks like she has a hair net on.

Still, though, a great-looking picture!