More Fussing Over The Details

Spent today working on more details.  Softening edges and adjusting colors.  Worked on the eyes, little changes that make a huge difference to the overall painting.  Sat for a half hour with a pencil and tablet writing down what needs changing for the next session.  I still want to do something to the right side of the sofa, tone down the brightness of that yellow so that it does not scream for attention.  It was a very good day in the studio overall, so I am headed to the kitchen for a glass of wine to celebrate the fact that I did not screw it up today.

Deepening Some Shadows

OK, forgot to point out that the right side of the face, which is in shadow, was way too light in some spots.  In the corner of the eye and beneath the nose and where the neck meets the shirt collar, I darkened some shadows today.  Now that I see this image on the computer, I am thinking the entire shadow side of the face may need to go down another value on the value scale.  I will check this out tomorrow, but for now, I am liking this overall.

More Fussing Around

Fussing around today with the moustache, needed to lower the left side a bit so that the hairs are visible in front of the lip.  Added lots of detail (tiny bits of color) to the beard as well as the skin that is just below the beard.  I actually put skin color on and then drag it back into the edge of the beard.
Next, I somehow lost the top of the left ear a while back.  So I repainted it and added more light to the lobe and edges.  Decided the edges were too harsh, so took a small brush and blended them into the background.....creating a soft edge.

In The Final Stretch

I am now at the phase of my technique which I fondly call, Screwing it Up.  This is the stage at which I fuss and fuss with tiny details and bits of color.  This is the stage where it will be hard for you to see the changes I make.   This is the stage that can often lead me to ruin.  I am also very bad about knowing when to quit.  Just looking at this image now, I see how hard most of my edges are.  I will go back to work tomorrow and soften some more of the edges.

Coat Lapel Changes

On the left you see the coat lapel as originally painted.   Walked into the studio today and said NO WAY.  So I fixed it.  I think the entire coat is way too busy and may just rework more of it and take away the fussy folds.

Studio Fatigue Matts

Here are my new fatigue matts in the studio.  They worked well for me yesterday.  Worked for 6 hours and had very little back and leg pain last night. 

Background, Two Views

Here are the two backgrounds side by side.  Which do you prefer?