Step 29: Finishing Touches |
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Particularize
(Steps 22 through 29)
Now the time has come to turn a painting into a portrait. Up
until now you have been striving to state the broad generalities
of the subject — the "big truths." Now you will
concentrate on small specifics — the details of the eyes
nose and mouth. We call this final step "particularizing." |
Hover to zoom final painting |
| The halftones on the right side of the model's
face (our viewing left) are lightened. Some additional cool
colors are thrown onto the background. The darkest accents in
the facial shadows are lightened, and the transitions between
planes are softened here and there. The term 'finishing touches'
should never be construed to mean final, extra details. To the
contrary, finishing touches are 'final refinements' — final
improvements. Very often the highlights can be strengthened.
Often some of the most outstanding features — extreme darks
or extreme lights — need to be reduced in intensity and 'feathered-in'
to increase the sense of reality. |
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