Had a fun time with this piece. Took a lot less time than most of the other realisms.




http://famine-star.deviantart.com/

Wow, another amazing portrait!
Do you think it took less time because of the coloring (almost like black and white)? Or maybe this subject is slightly smaller (than some of your other portraits), so that there's more background?

brynn wrote:Wow, another amazing portrait!
Do you think it took less time because of the coloring (almost like black and white)? Or maybe this subject is slightly smaller (than some of your other portraits), so that there's more background?

Well the background is a stock image, so that didn't take any time. I'm not very great at backgrounds, so usually I'll pick a nice stock photo and just blur it so it isn't the focus of the painting. Mostly it took less time because the subject is smaller as you say. On the more detailed realisms, I probably have 3-5 times as many paths as in this one.

is this at least in part a trace?..because otherwise how do you go about doing the drawing in inkscape, specifically the gradual tone change areas like the face?

WOW, breath-taking, I love it. Love the details of the face, esp the nose. If you don't mind sharing, how long did this take you to do?
Keep up the good work. I take it you do this for a living? or at least a side job.
dee

chriswww wrote:is this at least in part a trace?..because otherwise how do you go about doing the drawing in inkscape, specifically the gradual tone change areas like the face?

Yes I work very closely with the photo reference.

flamingolady wrote:WOW, breath-taking, I love it. Love the details of the face, esp the nose. If you don't mind sharing, how long did this take you to do?
Keep up the good work. I take it you do this for a living? or at least a side job.
dee

Thank you so much, Dee! I think it took about 3 weeks working on and off. And it's just a hobby, but it's flattering that you assumed I did it for a job(:

Snel,
May I just say that if you aren't already doing so, and ever need or want some extra money, start this up via a web site (or go on Etsy) - and start selling these puppies! Just think of what someone might pay to have a digital wedding portrait, or really, any portrait....
Looking forward to seeing more work from you, or maybe even a tutorial (hint hint, lol).
dee

Yes, snel really has a gift for drawing realistic hair with Inkscape. I've honestly never seen better. I'm dying to know how it's done! (Yes I've seen tutorials, but they're not nearly as good as snel's.) A tutorial would be an awesome gift for the community

flamingolady wrote:Snel,
May I just say that if you aren't already doing so, and ever need or want some extra money, start this up via a web site (or go on Etsy) - and start selling these puppies! Just think of what someone might pay to have a digital wedding portrait, or really, any portrait....
Looking forward to seeing more work from you, or maybe even a tutorial (hint hint, lol).
dee

You are really too kind! My concern is that if I started doing art as work it would lose its enjoyment.

brynn wrote:Yes, snel really has a gift for drawing realistic hair with Inkscape. I've honestly never seen better. I'm dying to know how it's done! (Yes I've seen tutorials, but they're not nearly as good as snel's.) A tutorial would be an awesome gift for the community

I'll write up a tutorial