Well, this is a bit of a failure!

[bif]

Suggestions welcome. Sometimes you just can't correct a painting and need to move on.

https://markdomincreative.blogspot.com

[FalloutShelter]

1. You know, Mark,

I saw this on Instagram and I really like it because it is out of the box for your subject matter. My suggestion would be to deepen some of the shadow to add depth of field and elevate the figure off of the background a little. I can’t find fault with the execution of the face, it is perfectly rendered in your style.

[mopinko]

2. you could widen the shoulders, and

add more shading to the arms. reduce their bulk. give it more depth and less width.

but re learning the figure- my process for the figure was to do an automatic drawing type thing, visualizing not so much my physical body as my emotional state. close your eyes, and try not to lift the pen from the paper.
those sketches then became large figures.

i did a few classes w live models in art school, but i did a lot of figures all along.
there is no substitute for working from a live model. before the plague, it was easy to find workshops in one artist's studio or another. everyone chipped in to pay the model.

it's very hard to get a real 3d effect painting from photographs if you arent used to working from life, or at least a 3d model. those 'adam and eve' artists figures are a great practice tool.

[spooky3]

3. I agree that taking a figure drawing or figure painting class

Is a great experience if you have a good instructor.

[mopinko]

4. these were just workshops.

no instruction, not even a critique. pretty much no one said anything unless you asked.

i went to one run by a dear, dear friend, and for months i made sure no one looked at what i was doing.
but it depends on the people. after a while, i got more comfortable. but i hated crits in art school mostly.
it can be a whole different thing to open yourself up to other's opinions, and to talk about your work. esp when you can see their faces. lol.

[lunatica]

5. Frankly I like it a lot

It was immediately clear to me that this was some kind of Medieval like tomb rendition of the buried person within. Your warm colors are perfectly combined with the soft blue inclusions. And I also like the way you included some intricate details of the armor and the chain link. The figure looks like it was made with clay, though it probably wasn’t but you capture the colors effectively

If I ever get back to NY I want to visit the cloisters because of this painting. Funny though, that when I see these kind of burials I always immediately think of how I would sculpt one. I think you captured the sculptured look well. It looks weathered, as if the air itself has worn away the sharp edges.

If you want advice I say to keep on trying because you’re doing very well. Just remember that there are no failures in art.

[bif]

6. Thanks all for the tips.

I think I'll put it aside and come back to it in a bit. There's always the factor of overworking it.

And down the road, I'm going to look into a life drawing class. I took a couple in my youth when I was a photo major, but it was largely wasted on me.

Happy Spring everyone!

[LiberalLoner]

7. I like all the paintings I see there that you have done! ❤️☮️🌹