Concept
The concept for this project is to take a regular portrait picture and make it interesting by adding different element. By making portraits more interesting the picture may start to tell a story or just grab the audiences attention. Going beyond the basics of traditional portraiture and doing something different & creative is the overall concept for this project.
Research
The research for this project was in procreate. In procreate I had to learn a whole new technique. I learned how to watercolor paint digitally. I did research to download the best brushes and the best technique. I used multiple video to help me through the process.
This is a watercolor tutorial that I incorporated: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gryrZ7CXcG8
I used this link for free downloadable brushes speciafacilly to give the water color look to my painting (I also used some of the brushes that are default and came with the app): https://procreate.brushes.work/9-amazing-free-watercolor-brushes/
I also used this video the most because it sepciafclly is a face which is what I did. The video helped me with shadows and eyes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRBoIZQhs0M
Process
Idea
For the idea, I originally looked through Pinterest to get inspiration. I liked the idea of painting my subject. The reason I wanted to do this was because I love painting digitally and non digitally but I have not have the time nor the motivation to do it. I settled on the idea of doing it digitally so I could do it anywhere and take more time on it. Also because I have never water color painted digitally. Although I have done it on paper it in completely different on an iPad.
Pinterest board: https://pin.it/5AyCC9u
Inspiration
For the main inspiration it is the one on the left because that was made digitally while the other two were made on paper. The reason I like each one was for different reasons. I liked the first one because the subjects contrast and facial expressions are interesting and eye catching. The second one its cropped it a way that it also adds to the effect of the portrait. The final one was interesting because it had no color but has colored highlights and it has no pupils adding to a more mythical look. For my piece I did incorporate interesting cropping and high contrast but I did not add a mystical look because it took away from the painting aspect of my portrait.
Set up
I took the picture in front of a white background because the background will not matter for the final photo. I tried different poses but loved this one the most because it framed the face and in this picture the eyes really stand out. I experimented with lighting as well to make the contrast more visible for me for when I paint.
Editing
In the editing process I increase the contrast, removed imperfections, and tried different color schemes to see how I would like the finally color scheme. I tried one in color and one in black and white. I went with the colored one because even tho the black and white one was nice the colored one looked as though it showed more details and was more interesting, but I did start with the black and white one then switched it later.
Painting
I used the techniques from my research, and I used my past knowledge to create this photo. When painting I have to go section by section and layer by layer to get the most details. I started with the base face because if I didn't like the face I would have to change my idea. I then moved on to the details in the face like shadow and highlight. The came the facial features. I slowly moved onto the hand, then other hand and hair. The hair was the hardest. At first I tried to give it a more realistic look and was going to try to show every strand but then it didn't match the over water color look of the picture so I went a different route. After finishing the hair I went back into the picture and experimented a little bit more and then started finalizing it. Once I added the finished touches I cropped the picture and it was completed.
Somethings I tried but did not like: Keeping the background picture, having certain sections show, trying a different color scheme, and adding a mythical look (elf ears and no pupils).
Results
Reflection
Overall I really liked this project because it combined two ways of art that I typically enjoy. It also let me try a new type of digital art which I haven't tried before. I love taking portraits but I do agree that sometimes they get boring so making it interesting was a challenge but was fun. I love the results of this project because I feel like it does look realistic and does look like my model. I believe that I did a good job with shadowing and accentuating the eyes.