Johnny Cash Portrait


Finished this about a week ago. I'd like to do more portraits, I found this a very enjoyable, but at the same time frustrating, experience. Frustrating because I think my mind is so emersed in caricature, that I felt like I was fighting those urges all the way. The fun thing about painting this was searching for the colours, and using as many as possible to get the values I wanted. Also there were lots of interesting turning points that got me to how it looks now. The background was originally a darkish orange, but I felt the face was getting lost in it, so I wanted something that would compliment the colours of the face. I started with a lighter (but neutral) blue, then to give the composition depth, and to highlight the cigarette-holding hand (for me that's where the story is, and where his eyes are now looking, in the reference they look beyond the cigarette) I added the darker blue-grey. It's had some interesting responses so far (mainly positive thankfully), let me know what you think. It's acrylic on canvas 100cm x 70cm.


Oh, and I'm working on a couple of caricatures now, so to all the caricature fans, those will be following soon!

Comments

I think it's great Paul, well worth the effort, and thanks for the sneak preview last week.
Nelson Santos said…
Very good Paul and the orange become usefull it gives a nice outline to the composition.
Man.... that is pretty fucking good!!!!
Tooninator said…
stunning. Well done.
Mark Baker said…
Brilliant Paul...Love this...I wish I'd have done it first!
SEILER said…
Your best yet . . . seriously AWESOME!!!!!! That hair is amazing!
Marion said…
Great colours, and especially the hand is so well done!
Tim Bye said…
Yep - really great work Paul! I love the red outline where the light hits- don't think I've seen it done like that before - very nice!
Chubasco said…
es muy bueno !!

felicitaciones gracias por tu trabajo
Vincenzo said…
Nothing wrong with adding some portrait work to your catalogue, especially when it's this beautiful...and it certainly works for Mister Kruger doesn't it :)

Kudos Paul!
kencoogan said…
Paul, I agree with Jason that this is your best painting by far. Every inch of this painting is a joy to look at.
Truly inspirational!!
Will Appledorn said…
Really great painting. i think it's refreshing to do a portrait every once in a while. and i think those caricature inclinations can really boost a portrait.
you did a fantastic job on the rendering, a bit reminiscent of Kruger in the level of detail.
Neil Davies said…
Yep, beautiful work for sure. The detail just draws you in, I love that. Inspiring!
flats said…
Fantastic Paul, as you say, his eyes are focussed beyond the fag ,brilliantly done.
REally nicely done, Paul! I like the color choices (the blue background is the perfect compliment for the colors in the face- well chosen), the way you handled the hand, and the thoughtfulness in the expression of Johnny. I understand what you mean as far as doing a straight portrait; I've had to do it a couple of times, and found that I was exaggerating even when I wasn't trying to. After a concerted effort, it wasn't a problem...It was just a matter of changing the mindset.
Javier B.V said…
I love, has a lot of personality.
Glad to see this!!!!
Love the colour scheme.
Lar said…
Paul,
Your attention to value has really paid off here in the re-creation of textures and tone. His hair really has that oily feel to it, which contrasts so well against the skin of his face. Then there's the cotton of his shirt and the emotional clenching of his hand, I'm just drinking it all in. Applause!
Maritze said…
Wow! That hand in just brilliant. Love it.
Steve Hearn said…
Paul, this is wonderful!

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