Face exploration 10

Here is the painting I mentioned in my last post. If I went too far, well it is a matter of taste and if I stopped earlier I would have missed out on the learning experience. I like it as a finished painting, but I am also glad I took progress photos.

Below you can see the progress. In my opinion the first two stages could easily been a finished painting with a few adjustments.

Face Exploration 8

150 $ (+ 60 $ Shipping and handling)  Click here to purchase

This is the last "portrait" painting that I have to show for now. I am back painting, but I haven't made any attempt on faces yet. I went rougher with this one, compared to the last one. I hope I didn't go too far when it comes to the shadows, they have an almost abstract feel.

Face Exploration 9

200 $ (+ 60 $ Shipping and handling)  Click here to purchase

I got two more paintings of faces to post. Until now I have posted the previous ones in the order they were painted, but I think I will post the latest one first. I really went back to basics with this one, even though the brush strokes are still very expressive. I took a lot more creative license with the one that is left.

Face exploration 7

200 $  (+ 60 $ Shipping and handling)  Click here to purchase

I did take a little different approach with this one. I did continue with expressive brush strokes, but I didn't go as bold with the colors. I tried to keep the contrast with a lighter touch, no bold shadows. I also spent more time on it. I like the result myself, the face is softer than the previous ones.

Face Exploration 6

150 $  (+ 60 $ Shipping and handling)  Click here to purchase

I have been out of town for two days and am looking forward to start painting again. I am also looking forward to post my latest faces, but I promised myself that I should post them in the order that I made them. At first I didn't like this one, it was boring and I just let go and went bold and it improved a lot. I learned that blending bold brush strokes can be a good thing.

Face Exploration 5

Not For Sale

I have done a lot of experimentations with my previous faces. I thought I needed some more structure and control before I could really let go and simplify, therefor I started to get back to basics, but still keeping my style. This one is a combination of me holding back and experiment. I meant to take it further, but someone at home forbid me to take it further. I wanted to make more contrasts. I like this one, but I will never know if I could have improved it.

Face Exploration 4

75 $  (+ 35 $ Shipping and handling)  Click here to purchase

I looking forward to show some of the newer face explorations, but I thought I should post them in the order they are done. I think the square format did throw me on a loop with this one. I like the colors and how I worked with the brush stroke. The head has a doll-like quality, is a little round, but otherwise I like it.

Face Exploration 2

I went very big, detailed and full of brush strokes on the first face study I did. I went the opposite way with this one. It is still kind of big but I only hint the features of a face, keeping it very simple and playful. I only share these studies so you can see my journey.

Face Exploration 1

NOT FOR SALE

I posted a rough face painting earlier, my first step in finding out how I want to express faces. This is my 2nd attempt and totally different than the first. I went big, very big and worked more on details, but still keeping things loose. These series of explorations are for sale if someone want to buy them, but I don't paint them for that purpose.

Face Abstraction 1

 Not For Sale

This is the first attempt that gave me some clues about where I wanted to go. The proportions are a little out there, but it gave me something to think about.

Old faces.....

I haven't done many attempts adapt painting faces to my new looser style. I did one two years ago, but then my style wasn't as loose as now. I have started the journey to finding out how I want to express myself. I know I don't want to do it like I did it before. Here is a few examples of old paintings...

Partially Abstract Water Lilies 24

After the last waterlily painting, I wanted to do another close-up waterlily painting. I wanted to go with a cleaner ellipse shaped green leaves.I tried to keep it loose, still keeping the spontaneity, rough brush-strokes etc.

Layne 4

I know it will come a day when I have to really just keep on painting faces, at least if I want to keep on with looser and bolder brush strokes. Takes so little before it goes out of hand. Well, not the prettiest face I painted, but it was fun.

Old paintings ..... Layne 2 (2003)

Think I will post some old paintings from time to time. Think it might reflect where I come from and where I am going. We all travel on a path called learning =) (Damn I sound..... )

Here is an old favorite of mine.I love the simplicity. Sometimes I get lost in the thrill of lines, colors, structure etc.
"Layne 2"

old meet new style

One thing that I enjoy painting is faces. It is a while since I painted one and am a little rusty. This isn't my best one, but I had lot of fun painting it.
The picture that I got inspiration from show how old beard and mustache fashions are back in style. Seen it in a lot of pictures lately.