SkarValidus on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/skarvalidus/art/Seeker-203633244SkarValidus

Deviation Actions

SkarValidus's avatar

Seeker

By
Published:
921 Views

Description

Acrylic on canvas, 22 x 28 inches in 14 hours.
This is a portrait of my father, for his birthday... but it's not my regular type. More on that later...

This is the first traditionally painted portrait I've done. Of course I've drawn a ton of them, and digitally painted a few for fun, but never something like this. I took two photos of him in my room; one was in strong, direct light, and one with the lamp turned off. I used the dark one as a base, adding the light in by masking the lighter photo overtop. Didn't want to take chances by guessing at colours. Speaking of which, I didn't realize I had Sienna till like halfway through... fail. NOTICE: I gridded the sketch for this one using sixteen 7x5.5 inch rectangles. Not those teeny tiny little cheater ones.
Most satisfying and smooth painting I've done yet, and I'm happy with the results.
Please feel free to suggest and critique away, I'm open to advice on portrait painting.
EDIT: Just noticed that the eyes look sort of "sleepy" in the photo. I may try to adjust that. In real life, the eyes look much more intense and alert.

As usual, the camera messed things up, cutting detail in the dark areas and generally just being a jerk.

The following may offend you. I make no apology.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is the story behind the image...

I had contemplated several options, ranging from silly to classical to modern/interpretive, but none of them really stuck for me. I liked the idea of a classical portrait (you know, of the guy standing beside his desk with his pen)... but I decided I'd go the hard route and try to paint a truly unique portrait instead.
As you may or may not know, I make a habit of chatting with God, though I typically shut him out of my art and do my own thing. This time, I asked him what the crap I was supposed to paint. He told me the following:
Show him in a dark place, for the world is dark.
Accent his eyes, for he sees keenly.
Allow light to fall generously across his eyes, for I will always guide him with my light.
Dress him in armour without weapon, for he is meant to be battle-willing though not battle-hungry.

Following this advice lead me to a much stronger and more personally impacting painting, and this painting was also the clearest in my mind from conception than ever before. I knew exactly what it was to look like and exactly how it needed to feel. Art is easier when I listen.
Image size
2139x2704px 1.92 MB
Make
Canon
Model
Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS
Shutter Speed
1/41 second
Aperture
F/4.5
Focal Length
30 mm
ISO Speed
1600
Date Taken
Apr 3, 2011, 12:39:28 PM
Sensor Size
12mm
© 2011 - 2024 SkarValidus
Comments23
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
Phobia-Phobia's avatar
I love this! So so good. Piercing eyes and I love the armour. You're very gifted... and you should definitely let God in on your art some more!! He loves to do it with you, and he has the best ideas! I mean, look at the universe! And there is so much more hehehe