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facebook people Faces Oil Painting People Portrait

“What, Me Worry?” (People Facebook Says I Should Know #7)

"What, Me Worry?” (People Who Facebook Says I Should Know #7). Oil on Arches Oil Paper first covered with acrylic matte medium to reduce absorbency, 10.5 x 10.5 inches
“What, Me Worry?” (People Who Facebook Says I Should Know #7)

It was fun to get back to this series of portraits of people who Facebook thinks I should know. I have no idea why Facebook suggested this nice, young British chap since we don’t seem to have any “friends” or interests in common. Below are some steps in the process from the initial sketch through completing the painting, including the set up with the reference photo and palette.

"What, Me Worry?” (People Who Facebook Says I Should Know #7). Oil on Arches Oil Paper first covered with acrylic matte medium to reduce absorbency, 10.5 x 10.5 inches
“What, Me Worry?” (People Who Facebook Says I Should Know #7). Oil on Arches Oil Paper first covered with acrylic matte medium to reduce absorbency, 10.5 x 10.5 inches

It was fun to get back to this series of portraits of people who Facebook thinks I should know. I have no idea why Facebook suggested this nice, young British chap since we don’t seem to have any “friends” or interests in common. 

What Me Worry? Image of Mad Magazine's Alfred E. Neuman
What Me Worry? Image of Mad Magazine’s Alfred E. Neuman

The whole time I was painting I kept thinking of Alfred E. Neuman (“What, Me Worry?)” from Mad Magazine, which made me laugh. And now, comparing the photos (you can see reference photo on easel below), I can see this young man’s face should actually be rounder, more like Alfred’s. 

Sketch and value structure underpainting in burnt umber and beginning of adding paint
Sketch and value structure underpainting in burnt umber and beginning of adding paint

Above are some steps in the process from the initial sketch through the beginning of adding color. Below is the set up with the reference photo on my iPad on the easel and my paint mixed up and ready on the palette.

iPad with photo reference and palette and WIP including taming his ears
Photo reference, palette and work in progress including taming his ears

2 replies on ““What, Me Worry?” (People Facebook Says I Should Know #7)”

From the first sketch to the third you made significant improvements. Besides widening his face you brought his eyebrows closer to his eyes and really improved his nose and nostrils. You really captured the essence of this Alfred E. Neuman look alike. Actually your Facebook young man is very handsome.
The only thing I might double check is whether the smile in your portrait should be a little wider. That seems like it would be a lot of work to change because then his teeth might have to change also. I could be wrong. It’s hard to judge from the small IPad photo.
I think you have done a beautiful job. I’m in awe of your focus and dedication to getting it right.

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Yes, you’re right about everything you noticed. Thanks for the close observation. I’m done with this one and ready to move on to something else so I won’t be fixing it. It was actually the second attempt, I threw the first one away when I saw so many flaws in the original drawing it wasn’t worth going any further. So by the time I got to the finish line on this one I was getting really bored of it, hence the totally sloppy rendering of his hoody. With each attempt at a face I learn a little more and grow a little. I’m never sure whether more starts and fewer finishes vs carrying something to a fully refined finish is a better way to learn. I guess I let my interest be the guide…as long as I’m still interested I’ll keep working on it. If I’ve lost the interest I’ll move on to a new challenge.

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