Me at ten

Mike McCarty · 09-09-2003, 07:28 PM

A self portrait in oil on canvas (b&w) 16x20. This photo was taken one month before my tenth birthday. It seemed like it would be good experience to try and create some life from this photo. It will be a Christmas gift to my dear old mother. I'm sure she won't offer much criticism.

I think what I got in the end was a photo like reproduction. Not usually what I strived to do.

I really grew to dislike this photo. Steven wrote in another thread:

[QUOTE]And so, when your resource is a studio photograph, you

Mike McCarty · 09-09-2003, 07:30 PM

The oil painting 16x20...

Jeff Fuchs · 09-09-2003, 09:45 PM

Wow, Mike. Looks good.

Maybe you should drop color altogether. This works. Definitely improving. Keep it up.

Mike McCarty · 09-09-2003, 11:35 PM

Thanks Jeff.

Here is a better look at the face. Life was good then, all I cared about was making a good throw to first base and what was for supper? But those ears ...

Kimberly Dow · 09-10-2003, 09:50 AM

Mike,

I really like this - I wonder how many balls you hit through windows?

One thing that bothers me is the value on our left on his/your neck. The shadow of the jaw going up seems harsh, but I think it's just that the neck seems bright?

Mike McCarty · 09-10-2003, 05:32 PM

Thanks Kimberly,

My Mom and Dad did buy a few windows and more!

That harsh light is because someone was parked just behind me with their high beams on as I was taking the picture. And my film was old. And the pixification was concentrated into that area of the image because I had the film stored on it's side. I can assure you that if you could see it in pers.....

Actually, I think I agree that it could be knocked down a bit.

Mike Dodson · 09-10-2003, 05:48 PM

Nice job Mike!

The likeness is certainly there. I would like to commend you on how you worked the hair into the flesh so that it actually looks like hair growing out of the head rather than hair sitting on top of the head. I find this is not as easy a task as some might think.

If I were to critique one area it might be the lower eye lashes. I think in your painting they are just as pronounced as the upper lashes. Maybe they could be toned down a bit or even eliminated, just a thought.

Mike McCarty · 09-10-2003, 06:58 PM

Mike,

Thanks for that hair raising compliment.

About the eye lashes, if you will notice in this photo, the lashes are clearly very dark. Ok, that was a cheap trick and I'm sorry. I've been trying to work this photo in for the past $% years.

When you do it in b&w there's only a couple of ways you can mess up. It's either too light or too dark. I guess I can't use the high beam excuse on those dark lashes.

I really enjoyed the simplicity of just the two colors (non colors).

09-11-2003, 09:10 AM

How adorable! Those ears, that forehead! That is one all-American little man.

The eyes are beautiful on the closeup, but from a farther view, it looks as though they are more resolved than the rest of the features. After comparison with the picture, I think the value of upper lip could be shifted down, the lower edges of the nostrils and the cast shadow on the side of the nose. Those shadow areas are competing with the eyes and the lighted side of the jaw for contrast.

I like how you captured the expression, too, and agree the hair is wonderful!

Steven Sweeney · 09-11-2003, 10:32 AM

Wow, where