Upside Down Painting

This is after I painted upside down to get proportions right. It helps the brain see what is rather than see what it thinks it sees. 

I think I can finish the painting upside down. I hope to let it dry enough to be able to show contrast. If the paint is wet, the colors blend together.

I need a translucent fleshtone. Mine is solid and is a dud to work with. 

To get skin color, use dark red and green first. Let it dry. Then, add layers of white, brown, peach, and orange.  Let those dry. Use more and more oil with each layer. 

Tackling Very Difficult

My mind likes to measure up and down, but not left to right. This makes my faces look long. 

So far, here is how I’m problem solving: 

1. Look at the two pictures upside down.

2. Take two pictures, make them tiny, and compare side to side ...while squinting.  

 “while squinting” is my new learning today.

3. Do #2 upside down.  

*breakthrough!! 

It was a surprise to realize and remember that I started the painting thinking his left earlobe was too low, so I shortened it.  

Now that I’m near the end of this painting, I’m paying for it.

I thought this painting was way off. After I did #3, there are just two main things that need fixing.

1. His lower lip is a hair too thick on the bottom, so just put a small line of light under it.

2. The right smile line vertical with his nose is too dark.

Here’s to fixing this up tomorrow and getting this puppy good!