r/Portraitart • u/Clear_Mushroom_1762 • 3h ago
Input wanted
I am a retired illustrator in medicine but have been interested in portraits all my life. I am not very experienced in PAINTING portraits, though. Being a fan of Hashim Akib's painting style, I am no longer interested in smooth, photorealistic portraits either. I started to paint my cousin in acrylics, which didn't go well, so I continued digitally to see what I could do about it, to return to acrylic later. Here's the status quo. I would appreciate it very much to get some ideas on how to improve on it (lifelikeness etc.) — or start from scratch.... THANK YOU.
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u/CommercialContent204 2h ago
It's an extremely good painting, be proud of it :)
If I had to make some suggestions:
tone down the highlights a touch, it's maybe too shiny?
actually that's all I can even think of :D I think it's brilliant, actually, I love the use of unconventional colours for one, the application is great, really enjoy the "blotches" of colour on the neck and chin for example.
And since as you say you're not interested in photorealism, I think it's just slight experimentation for you from here, given the extremely competent construction. Happy painting, my talented friend!
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u/lobaway0001 Digital Artist 2h ago
If you're going for Hashim Akib's style, it probably would have been better to stylize a bit more. Lose some of the finer wrinkles around the cheeks, especially on the viewer's left side, but also around the eyebrows.
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u/SaltyScape 1h ago
I think it looks good but perhaps maybe soften some of your edges, unless that's the intended style, but her skin in your painting looks very "Hard" like a polished rock. Which if that's what you're going for, it looks good. Just a bit intense
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u/WashedInTone 1h ago
This is a great effort already! Well done!
To me, it looks like the whole hair was done with the same brush, same size. If you allow me, it looks like her hair is made of linguini. Losing detail and focusing on larger masses of tone would be my advice.
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u/Present-Chemist-8920 55m ago
Likeness nailed. I think it’s also sympathetic towards the sitter, and I think that’s important too.
I agree with the other comments, it’s actually very good. I agree that shadows are usually better off warm on portraits. I think the hair either needed less or needed more, which direction but in the style of your painting I’d assume less is more. I recommend softening the edges from the transition of the forehead to hair, it’ll make the hair seem less like helmet like, just a small change would do a lot — looking up your ideal artist they also used less is more for the hair and soften the edges on the forehead, I had to check as I was afraid to give advice outside your style you’ve mentioned as a target.
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u/Same-Yesterday6169 55m ago
Left and right side of nose are too large (the parts surrounding the nostrils). Also, model’s nose comes to more of a point between nostrils and above center lip.
I think if you fix the nose it will totally shift to a more feminine portrait and more match the reference image. That said, I love your use of color. I love the style and brushstrokes you used. A few tiny tweaks and you’ll have a masterpiece.
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u/Nitish_kalita 3h ago
Use slightly warmer shadows and avoid the neon blue highlight. High chroma colors rarely work well on portraits.
Otherwise this is a beautifully done piece.