Secrets Mixed media portrait woman

Secrets
Well this turned out to be a very interesting experiment.  When I got interested in doing the mixed media portraits I found that in the journaling community many folks had been incorporating figure collages into their work.  One of the reasons why is they used this method is that didn't actually draw/paint portraits, but wanted figures or faces in their work.  Also by painting over the magazine image you get another image and I guess the rule is that if more than 40% of the picture or image was changed, then you are not plagiarizing their photo, work or ideas.

For someone beginning to paint portraits it is a good way to learn about shading the face, painting over a photo.  Especially in black/white, you really see the light and darks on the facial planes.  So this started out as a black/white photo in an ad from one of my junk magazines, on a bit thicker paper.

I put on the abstract background with acrylic using stencils (adding paint onto paper through the stencil to make design (this is the traditional way), and making negative stencils, paint section of paper and then wipe paint off using the stencil with baby wipes), pieces of napkins were also used.  I then collaged the figure from the magazine and painted her using acrylics.  Then I added the branches as the finishing touches.   From the look on her face I thought she looked like she was going shhhhh - like she had a secret.

Thanks much for stoping by and taking a look.

Comments

Joan Tavolott said…
Intriguing piece! I like the face with the unusual stenciled background. It is an interesting combination of elements and really works well.
carol edan said…
If you cut a face out of an ad it's not plagiarizing , in my humble opinion. You are not taking the "work" just a piece. Great idea ! Love the spidery background! If the spider was a stencil you could go over the face as wall, what an interesting affect that would make!
Nelvia said…
I guess I am on the dark side these days, reflection of what is going on and concern for my hubby. So eve though I didn't want it to come out dark, I think it is a bit, but maybe that adds a bit of mystery. Found I really like the look of negative stencil
Nelvia said…
I don't want to get into any issues, but I think you are correct. I think too when you convert it to color you end up changing the image just because you might select different hair color, etc. But I am not going to try to sell it so hoping there shouldn't be any issues. The background branches were freehand, I did draw across her face with a pastel pencil, but then I didn't like it, you can see a bit on the forehead. I really am enjoying these.
I really like this Nelvia. The combination of techniques and the colour choices work so well together. As for the plagiarism, it is a question many of us struggle with and never seem to find a definite answer - lol. I hope you hubby is ok ( mine has been having problems too) - have a great weekend.
hmuxo said…
Wow!!! Very unique... I love the busy background...not sure if I can do the mixed media... I wouldn't even know where to begin!! Lol
Sheila said…
Wow this looks so different from Instagram. I really like them both, but here the blue tones are more prevalent, and I am partial to blue. I love her pose and the textures, and the branches. It's wonderful through and through. It is moody yes, and there are shadows, but I don't think it is dark at all. The lights and darks are well balanced. Sending prayers and well wishes, Hoping all is well again soon.
Joan Tavolott said…
Hope things are improving with your hubby! You definitely don't need another thing to worry about with all that is going on in this world lately. ((Hugs!))

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