Who am I?

[LucBoivin]

Here is something I started today. Working on a 20'' x 24'' canvas with Holbein paint.

Who am I???

Josie, you are not allowed to say!!!!

Luc

[LucBoivin]

...American actor...

Good move with the lines Denise!!!

Luc

[Steelhorse]

Leonardo Dicaprio

[LucBoivin]

Gotta love that photoshop. I still don't know but I'm not familiar with a lot of new actors that are around today.
So far I can't guess who it is.

Well Denise, with the lines you have added, its not going to be long now before someone gets it!

I'll wait a bit longer then I'll post the other pics.

Luc

[LucBoivin]

Leonardo Dicaprio

And we have a winner ladies and gentlemen!!!!...sorry Len, no prises...:-(

Here are the other pics...

Will start with the black for the detailing and working skin textures.

Luc

[Whit]

Ya got me Steel,,,
I was gonna say paris hilton !!!

[Steelhorse]

And we have a winner ladies and gentlemen!!!!...sorry Len, no prises...:-(


No Prize!!!!:cutheadoff: LOL Well, I guess I'll settle for the step by step!!! Wow Luc....can't wait to see it finished!

[LucBoivin]

HIHIHI...now who's head is that rolling!!!...:unsure:

OK OK, you are invited for dinner at my place tomorrow night with your wife!!!

...we dare you!...

Luc and Brigitte

[Steelhorse]

LOL Luc!!!! Got to work tomorrow night and the ol' Lear jet is out for an oil change!!! lol

[LucBoivin]

LOL...Thats OK Len!! I wonder how much those oil changes go for???

Like I said before, its just a question of time, just a question of time!!!

Sad to hear you have to work....I'm on holiday till the 8th!!! Lots of airbrushing in my plans!

Luc

[Steelhorse]

After 8:00 pm est Wednesday. I will be off work until the 2nd...for some reason I have this strange urge to get my house all cleaned up and my airbrush area straightened up etc....:wink2: Luc? Do you ever get those strange compulsive feelings too? hehehehe

[Clinton]

Looking good Luc, can't wait to see it finished. By the way you guys suck, I have to work tomorrow until the weekend and then back at it on Moday. :( :)

[blinddog 99]

Nice work Luc!

[LucBoivin]

After 8:00 pm est Wednesday. I will be off work until the 2nd...for some reason I have this strange urge to get my house all cleaned up and my airbrush area straightened up etc....:wink2: Luc? Do you ever get those strange compulsive feelings too? hehehehe

Hey Len, to answer your question...NO. But my wife sure hopes that I would get those urges sometimes!!! LOL

The room and the area that I paint in has to be straightened up...that is a must for me. Direct impact on my work!!

Luc

[Skids]

I'm looking forward to going back to work...its almost the crack of noon here and time to get ready to go!!

muhwhuuhhaaaheheheee!!!

[LucBoivin]

Here is tonight's update. Am having all sorts of difficulty on this one. I've over Gessoed my canvas...again.:-( Its too smooth and I'm having difficulty creating textures. Well, its not going to win over me. Might take me longer but I'll get it.

Still have lots of detailing to do in the eye area.

...maybe I'm too rested!!! LOL

Luc

[Steelhorse]

Here is tonight's update. Am having all sorts of difficulty on this one. I've over Gessoed my canvas...again.:-( Its too smooth and I'm having difficulty creating textures. Well, its not going to win over me. Might take me longer but I'll get it.

Still have lots of detailing to do in the eye area.

...maybe I'm too rested!!! LOL

Luc

Luc! ? here...you stated that you over Gessoed, and that your canvas is too smooth...so the paint is removed to easy when erasing and scratching? Can you explain the troubles? Would the AA paints that Clinton uses give more of a bite, when properly reduced, it this situ. I am practising on "Bristol" paper and it is very smooth! Just thinking out loud here my friend! Len

[LucBoivin]

Thanks Len...maybe I should explain!

When I mean too smooth, I mean that I've lost almost all the texture of the canvas. When I used my xacto, erasers to create the the main highlights because the canvas is barely there, I have to work much harder to get the desired effect. Its a bit hard to explain unless you have experienced it. One important thing which I know that it palys against me is that my last canvas painting was Denise's Pirate a month ago. I've since done 2 t-shirts which one of them was Clinton's. The techniques are so different that I think part of my problem is getting used to the canvas surface.

AA paint would not help here Len, My problem is difficulty removing my paint which is Holbein diluted with water, The fact that the surface is smoother, makes removing paint for highlight much more difficult...but not impossible.

In a way its good...keep me well grounded!!! LOL...a real reality check!!

Hope this clarifies my comment.

Luc

[LucBoivin]

I forgot to mention that just to complicate things for myself, I'm also starting painting on hard surfaces like metal. Now I'm really going to be confused when going from one technique to another!!! LOL

Luc

[Steelhorse]

So Luc, what you are saying is that the texture of the canvas itself helps you create the effect's....you can use the high point's and the valleys in the canvas to your benefit, whereas with a totally "smooth" medium...it just takes everything away quickly? Henceforth, the problems that you are dealing with? Am I right in my thinking? Len

[Clinton]

You got it Len. ;)

[LucBoivin]

So Luc, what you are saying is that the texture of the canvas itself helps you create the effect's....you can use the high point's and the valleys in the canvas to your benefit, whereas with a totally "smooth" medium...it just takes everything away quickly? Henceforth, the problems that you are dealing with? Am I right in my thinking? Len

Yes Len you are correct!!!... the texture in the canvas helps with the textures. The paint in the valleys as you call them cannot be removed. The fact the the canvas is flexible does not help. I would be OK to work say onj a Crescent board and do the same kinds of paintings but it would be easier because the Crescent board is ridgid.

My first Pirate painting was done on a smooth canvas and Denise's was on a canvas also but with lots more texture. I found her painting in my opinion was much better.

Luc

[Steelhorse]

Luc, thanks for dealing with my ?'s Didn't mean to side track your thread but wanted to learn from your experiences!

Clinton....thanks for responding to my questions to Luc....I guess I am high-jacking again, but thanks for your input and the Willis step by step.

Have patience with me guys!!!! hehehe I do get inquisitive at times!!!

Thanks',
Len

[Skids]

I'm very curious about the eraser/exacto technique too, Len. So i'm definately paying attention!

we appreciate you guys showing us these things, Luc and Clinton!

[LucBoivin]

I'm very curious about the eraser/exacto technique too, Len. So i'm definately paying attention!

we appreciate you guys showing us these things, Luc and Clinton!

Any hard or sharp object can be used to scrape the paint off the canvas. You use various types of erasers depending on the desired effect. This technique can also be applyed to Bristol baord but you have to go easy with the sharp tools. Crescent board works well also. The idea here is to use the white of the canvas for the highlights. You try not to put paint in areas where the highlights goes. You could do the painting without the tools...it just wouldn't be as realistic looking.

Luc

[LucBoivin]

Here is just a few tools that I use.

Luc

[Steelhorse]

Thanks Luc!

[Skids]

Wow! and electric eraser! I used to use one of those in drafting class in high school and forgot all about em. Do you use that alot, Luc?

[blinddog 99]

Luc, thanks so much for sharing. Hopefully we can reciprocate when you start painting on metal, maybe or maybe not, but thanks anyway. I've now got to give this a try, dang, off to Hobby Lobby after work.........

[LucBoivin]

Wow! and electric eraser! I used to use one of those in drafting class in high school and forgot all about em. Do you use that alot, Luc?

Actually I'm using a battery operated one. I have an electrical one but find it too bulky to work with.

I guess you could say that I use it often, with sometimes a eraser in it and sometimes with a Dremmel bit to get really white highlights by digging into the gesso and canvas.

Luc

[LucBoivin]

OK, here is where I'm at... Leonardo is giving me a hard time!! :banghead:

I'm trying to get the skin texture with some highlights. Could have left it smooth looking but it kind of looked weird!!!...almost plastic looking. I'm fighting with my tools to do the textures and I dont know anymore.

You guys give me your honest opinion. Do you prefer the smooth look (right of canvas) or the textured look on the left side? Too late to do anything now anyway.

Thanks

Luc

[Clem]

Left side looks more natural to me. Right side looks like he is ready for the camera after makeup. Too much shine on the right.

Just my opinion and doubt that I would have made a statement without your asking.

Still very good work. I do believe that you will manage to save it and bring it out the way you want.

Clem

[blinddog 99]

Luc, the textured look seems to be what releases the "reality" of the skin. Baby ass smooth just doesn't look the same. That said, it still looks very nice, just a little more artificial, statue like. Is this what you were referring to when you talked about too much gesso? Interesting, you have my humble thanks, I am fascinated with this whole technique. If I have it correctly, its kinda like primer for canvas. Too heavy and you lose the texture?

[LucBoivin]

Thank you Clem...I dont plan on letting Leonardo win over me!!!

Luc

[josie]

Textured is the way to go Luc

[Clinton]

IMO you already answered yourself, if it doesn't look right it most likely isn't. The plastic look wasn't doing it for you so finish the texture.:)

[LucBoivin]

Luc, the textured look seems to be what releases the "reality" of the skin. Baby ass smooth just doesn't look the same. That said, it still looks very nice, just a little more artificial, statue like. Is this what you were referring to when you talked about too much gesso? Interesting, you have my humble thanks, I am fascinated with this whole technique. If I have it correctly, its kinda like primer for canvas. Too heavy and you lose the texture?

Yes Blinddog, Gesso will allow you to change the texture of the canvas. Its white, and you can even tint it with color if you want. By adding too many layers you will eventually loose the texture of the canvas, making it more difficult IMO to create textures.

Luc

[Steelhorse]

Hi Luc! You have to go with the textured look. The right side looks washed out....I am saying this from seeing your previous work. The only thing that bothers me is the lack of gradient with the "5 O clock shadow line" on the textured side. To my eye, it takes away from the curve of the cheek, and my eye is drawn right to it instead of the eyes. Len

[blinddog 99]

Sorry for all the questions guys, but I am curious and want to try this technique. I have airbrushed on many surfaces, including watercolor papers, but never on canvas. Luc, how many coats of Gesso do you usually apply, and do you sand between coats?

[LucBoivin]

Sorry for all the questions guys, but I am curious and want to try this technique. I have airbrushed on many surfaces, including watercolor papers, but never on canvas. Luc, how many coats of Gesso do you usually apply, and do you sand between coats?

First thing to do is to mix some Gesso with water. You want to dilute it to a creamy texture. Does your canvas come with a coat of Gesso? If yes, you want to start by a good sanding to bring down the high spots. Work with a grit 320 paper. remove dust with a damp cloth.

Start applying the Gesso with a wide brush while keeping strokes in same direction. Don't try to drown the Canvas!!! Give it an even coat. You can dry with hair dryer to accelerate things. Once fully dry start sanding with same paper. How many coats you do is a matter of preference here. I have seen some videos of a guy applying up to 8 coats to get a very smooth surface...no more canvas feel. I did this with my first Pirate and found the scratching exercise more difficult. By keeping some canvas texture, when you erase, the high points of the canvas surface are quickly exposed. Go for 2 to 3 coats on your first one but remember to keep your mixture thin!!! The feel of the brush strokes in the Gesso should disapear be themself before drying. If they dont, your too thick!

Good luck blinddog!!

Fun to see people get on the portrait band wagon!!!!

Luc

[LucBoivin]

Hi Luc! You have to go with the textured look. The right side looks washed out....I am saying this from seeing your previous work. The only thing that bothers me is the lack of gradient with the "5 O clock shadow line" on the textured side. To my eye, it takes away from the curve of the cheek, and my eye is drawn right to it instead of the eyes. Len

Hey big Len!!

HIHIHI...I'm not sure I understand what you mean LOL!!!

I find that I have too much darkness on the lef side. Do you mean it goes from light to dark too quickly?

Luc

[Steelhorse]

Hey big Len!!

HIHIHI...I'm not sure I understand what you mean LOL!!!

I find that I have too much darkness on the lef side. Do you mean it goes from light to dark too quickly?

Luc

Hey Luc! Ya, that is what I see. It's the first thing that grabs my eyes.

Len

[LucBoivin]

Hey Luc! Ya, that is what I see. It's the first thing that grabs my eyes.

Len

Yep, good observation Len. Gona need to work on that!!!

Thanks

Luc