dan's self portraits

[danlucas]

Trying out my hand at self portraits.
It is very enlightening and very enjoyable.
I have learned quite a bit in the time doing these.

SP #1
http://i48.tinypic.com/e639mx.jpg

SP #2
http://i45.tinypic.com/213j892.jpg

[Windsrock]

Good start danlucas and thanks for visiting my thread :)

[danlucas]

Good start danlucas and thanks for visiting my thread :)

Absolutely, I shall do another today. Thanks for the comment. More structure and less shading from now on.

[danlucas]

Today's 30 min

SP #3
http://i47.tinypic.com/11qjpds.jpg

[*ViRuS*]

these show a lot of promise. You're seeing a lot of things most people don't see, such as a decent range of values and the understanding of weight/mass.

however, it's really obvious you don't know the skull very well. the best advice anybody can give you for drawing portraits is to learn the skull structure. draw skulls, understand the anatomy, and then look at yourself and figure out the surface points of your own skull. finding the bridge of the nose is my first step in a portrait. once you understand the structure underneath, the proportions are easier to grasp and it makes a lot more sense.

[danlucas]

@*ViRuS* hey bro, thank you for the critique. I agree with you on understanding the skull. I have drawn the skull a few many time but haven't really understood it fully. I need to work on drawing skulls like you say and really try to grasp the meaning and structure. I have wanted to get a plastic human size skull, might order one online soon so i can get to drawing the skull from life - the best way I learn.

Here's a new portrait. What do you think of it? I think I grasped a better understanding of my head.

SP #4
http://i46.tinypic.com/24d3b6c.jpg

[*ViRuS*]

once again your value is great =)
but, everything is out of proportion. look for angles and verticals to help guide you while you map out the proportions of your head and features. structure first. =)
keep it up, looks like you've already learned quite a bit, and these look to be somewhat longer studies than most do, which is fantastic. You'll learn a lot more from a longer study than you will a short one. good job man.

[danlucas]

New Idea ::: try something different.

SP #5
http://i47.tinypic.com/13zan8y.jpg

[danlucas]

Watercolors ::: watercolors baffle me!

SP #5
http://i50.tinypic.com/111nzlz.jpghttp://i47.tinypic.com/2qx1b2u.jpg

[danlucas]

SP #6
http://i47.tinypic.com/veq1qw.jpg

[danlucas]

SP #7
http://i49.tinypic.com/v3dbbl.jpghttp://i49.tinypic.com/24bu9z6.jpg

[danlucas]

Soap Stone Pencil on Charcoal Gray Paper

SP #8
http://i48.tinypic.com/245iyc3.jpg

[danlucas]

SP #9
http://i49.tinypic.com/bdut1g.jpg

[no87]

your doing great man. keep it up! :D

[Herr_Oin]

nice works, and thanks for the comment! I like the smooth shadows and the uncoloured head constructions. The picture with the soap stone also looks interesting.
But i think you should improve your Proportions-skills.

[danlucas]

SP #10

http://i45.tinypic.com/25umbs4.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/2i1jkwn.jpg

[DI888]

Great stuff in here, danlucas! I like the way you've added a bit of variety to these especially with the latest ones. Can't wait to see more!

[danlucas]

@ DI888 Thank you much, I like variety, I like something different. Can't have the same old thing repeated. I learn more each time I draw my self portrait. I really appreciate the encouragement, I will keep doing these.

http://i48.tinypic.com/ddjew7.jpg

[danlucas]

http://i49.tinypic.com/scqemc.jpg

[Mr.Thorne]

really nice studies man

[krel]

I think your doing great, man. Overall they are somewhat flat, but its getting better all the time from what I can tell. Keep on rockin :)

[danlucas]

I think your doing great, man. Overall they are somewhat flat, but its getting better all the time from what I can tell. Keep on rockin :)

Hey, thanks krel for the input. The reason they look flat is the
cameras fault. If I had a scanner then I would scan these in.
But I don't. So I have to use my camera to take photos of my work.
When I have the funds to purchase a scanner then I will definitely
use a scanner to scan my stuff in so it is more clear.
There's more contrast in these. But everyday I try to do better.

http://i48.tinypic.com/vmzxqu.jpg

[no87]

nice job on the shading in post 18 man. :)
wana see more!!! :D

[danlucas]

@ Thanks no87

http://i46.tinypic.com/6zrpyp.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/izuhr8.jpg

[danlucas]

On 90lb watercolor paper = texture!

http://i45.tinypic.com/8zfhgi.jpg

[jeremygordon89]

You're inspiring me to start my self portraits soon; I like the sunglasses one a lot. I think your features are looking a lot like you now, though I'd just be careful with measurements because in some of them it looks like you make a feature a bit too small/large and that throws off the portrait a bit. Awesome improvement though, keep going!

[iven]

Damit DAN watch the Road #13, just kitting good stuff here thanks for
your comment very inspiring I will check your sb now :blah:

[JParrilla]

good work. I think you need to be more careful with your initial construction. The proportions are skewed in many of these. Especially around the eyes. Try studying some masters or some anatomy books. Also spend more time getting the measuring and proportions right before you render. Your on the right track though

[Twan]

wow nice rendering. Is your chin so big? I'm sure you exagerate it a little

[danlucas]

You're inspiring me to start my self portraits soon; I like the sunglasses one a lot. I think your features are looking a lot like you now, though I'd just be careful with measurements because in some of them it looks like you make a feature a bit too small/large and that throws off the portrait a bit. Awesome improvement though, keep going!

Great that is what I want to do - inspire other people.