Well it’s been a long time updating this blog ( you can find the latest goings on via my Instagram: @maxtoyco or http://www.maxtoyco.com ! ).
I completed this portrait of Max recently .. so here’s some step by step pics of the process ;-)
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While on vacation I took this picture of Max. From time to time I paint a portrait of Max … and I wish i had done more of him thru the years. He’s almost 18 and I thought it fitting to capture this image in a painting for him. I gessoed a board leaving some strokes and sketched his image using a number 6H pencil.
Using various pencils and stumps the drawing was finished. I sealed it with spray fixative, so the pencil would not mix with the paint layers to come.
Using watered down acrylics mixed with matte medium, I brushed yellow ochre first ( not shown). I painted in left to right stokes and left some areas not fully covered. I used a hair dryer to speed up the drying.
Each additional layer of various blue acrylics darkened the piece.. which is what i wanted. I’ll pull out the lighter areas later on.
Close up.
Using colored pencils and acrylics brushed now pull out highlights and lightening up areas. I wanted the ear bud to be a focal point. While i don’t use them, obviously kids in his generation are growing up with them.
Close up
Washed some red over the face .. than back to pulling out the highlights again.
Almost done, some minor adjustments left .. but over all I’m happy with it. Added some subtle red around his head as well.
You can see the texture at this angle.
The final piece, varnished and ready for a frame. About 9×12 inches. September / October 2015. Artist: Mark Nagata
