19 votes

MUGSHOT 17, oil on canvas, 35x50cm

10 comments

  1. [3]
    OilyDog
    Link
    I've posted some of my work here before and written a little bit about it here. This time I was able to spend more time on the painting, putting more layers and detail on it without it seeming...

    I've posted some of my work here before and written a little bit about it here.

    This time I was able to spend more time on the painting, putting more layers and detail on it without it seeming overworked. I'm happy with that development.

    Any thoughts, critiques or observations are welcome.

    5 votes
    1. [2]
      teaearlgraycold
      Link Parent
      The eyes give me a modern day Clint Eastwood vibe.

      The eyes give me a modern day Clint Eastwood vibe.

      4 votes
      1. OilyDog
        Link Parent
        Yeah, you're right. I get that.

        Yeah, you're right. I get that.

        4 votes
  2. [7]
    Algernon_Asimov
    Link
    Why does she look so angry? She looks like she's about to start yelling at me!

    Why does she look so angry? She looks like she's about to start yelling at me!

    1 vote
    1. [6]
      OilyDog
      Link Parent
      Hmm, one can only imagine. I hope the painting gives a window to her headspace, or atleast a version of it that you imagine. Why do you think she's angry? And why at you? :)

      Hmm, one can only imagine. I hope the painting gives a window to her headspace, or atleast a version of it that you imagine. Why do you think she's angry? And why at you? :)

      1 vote
      1. [5]
        Algernon_Asimov
        Link Parent
        She has an angry look: the creases between her eyebrows as she lowers them and pushes them together, the raised upper lip baring her teeth, the clenching of the muscles in the neck, the pushing...

        Why do you think she's angry?

        She has an angry look: the creases between her eyebrows as she lowers them and pushes them together, the raised upper lip baring her teeth, the clenching of the muscles in the neck, the pushing forward of her face to invade someone's space. She's angry and she's about to tell someone off.

        I'm not totally sure she's a "she". Some people become androgynous in old age. This might be a man. I'm just getting a female vibe from "her".

        And why at you? :)

        She's looking straight out of the picture at the viewer - which, in this case, happens to be me.

        2 votes
        1. [4]
          OilyDog
          Link Parent
          Haha, a straightforward description. But it's good to read that, because some people might come to a very different conclusion.

          Haha, a straightforward description. But it's good to read that, because some people might come to a very different conclusion.

          2 votes
          1. [3]
            Algernon_Asimov
            Link Parent
            Sorry, but I'm no good at art. I just see what's on the canvas. What else was I supposed to have said?

            Haha, a straightforward description.

            Sorry, but I'm no good at art. I just see what's on the canvas.

            What else was I supposed to have said?

            2 votes
            1. [2]
              OilyDog
              Link Parent
              There is no "not being good at it". You see what you see, and as an artist that feedback is valuable. So thank you! I just thought it was interesting how you have a straight description about the...

              There is no "not being good at it". You see what you see, and as an artist that feedback is valuable. So thank you!

              I just thought it was interesting how you have a straight description about the facial muscles, brow position and where her eyes point.

              Someone else might have gone down a completely different route to come to the same conclusion. Like talking about how she seems a little disheveled, not being voluntary photographed maybe, and kind of facing to the ground. They might describe her gaze as more inwards, or maybe looking trough you. They could also say that she is angry with herself, instead of with you, the viewer.

              Please understand there are no wrong answers, I'm just giving an example.

              4 votes
              1. Algernon_Asimov
                Link Parent
                I'm a former actor. I study faces and facial expressions. And she's wearing an "angry" face.

                I just thought it was interesting how you have a straight description about the facial muscles, brow position and where her eyes point.

                I'm a former actor. I study faces and facial expressions. And she's wearing an "angry" face.

                1 vote