Guitarist with background re-done

I decided to put a setting around him, but you

can see from the first 'real' background, that this

one is invented, using elements from the actual

background in which he was performing. It's

called artistic license! And I am much happier

with this. It still isn't done, but is much closer

to a final product than it was. How do you like

the flames showing? I put them there to express

the sense of warmth and affinity he has in his

playing. The guitar still needs work as you see!

No strings!

Background change for guitarist painting

I decided to get rid of the previous background

which is where he was actually playing. I didn't

think it contributed anything to what I was trying

to convey. Here he is fully IN his music and out

of the physical world he was playing in.

Let me know what you think.

Soon he will come to see it and bring his gorgeous

guitar so I can see the elements of it fully. One

cannot paint without understanding.

Next stage of the guitarist

So now I've got some background in place, though

I'm not sure it really helps the painting all that

much. I may paint it out and just let the man

and his music 'stand' alone! This painting is on

an 18" x 24" panel. I've used Mars Violet in the

background. It is an interesting rosy brown that

seems to harmonize with the colors he is wearing.

I really like the blue of his shirt in contrast to

the other colors.

Let me know what you think of it. I always

appreciate people posting their comments here.

Getting started

This is how I generally work from a photograph

I've taken. I take the print to Kinko's and blow it

up and crop it if necessary. Then I have two prints

made. I make a grid on one, and have the other for

reference without any lines from gridding on it. It

is the top photo that I folded and made grid lines on.

You can see the folds in it if you click on this image

and see it larger.

When I am doing a portrait, I never worry about

likeness in the sketch stage. Just general proportions

of the face. I then work it out on the painting surface.

This sketch is on newsprint. I will transfer it by putting

charcoal on the back of the drawing and then going over

the drawing while it is taped to the panel I'm going to

paint on (or canvas).

This painting is going to be 18 x 24 and in oil on a panel.