Wednesday

[clevermanka]

Handsome and soft with noodles.

Handsome and dangerous with glasses. (kid version)

I put in almost three more hours on the portrait yesterday but it was all such tiny fiddly stuff it doesn't look like I did much of anything. I have basically the same thing to do today, just a different side and color. Ugh. So I could use some cheerleading if people don't mind.

This is where I was at the time of posting, which is probably a little more than halfway done (it looks like I'm further along because most of what's left is the fiddly shit). Click the images for ginormous sizes.

NGL, I'm pretty darn proud of that highlighting on the lower right section of the shirt. My first time getting so fancy with acrylic paint! I am, uh, not a trained artist--I dropped out of fine art school after three semesters and never took a single painting class. 🙄

So, that hat? Here's what I did to prep it for the colors:

I knew once I covered the hat with the tissue (for texture) the fabric weave would disappear so yes, I painted every one of those white lines so they would show with the final color. That was previous prep work, btw, not what I did yesterday.

This is a detail of what I did yesterday:

Two hours of painting the dark fabric and shading of the hat and also his eyebrow and lashes. Basically everything in the upper left section (except for the prep work, shown above, and the base paint color). I also did the shirt highlights on the lower left and painted his facial hair on both lower sections.

I know it's ridiculous to go to this level of detail when the vast majority of it isn't going to show in the version that gets sent with the birthday greeting. My art doesn't photograph well at all, I know this, and yet. And yet. It is going to eventually hang in my house (I guess, unless someone else wants it, feel free to ask although you'll have to pay shipping) so I might as well do it right. Right?

So, uh, can someone tell me it's worth it? 😂

Comments

[laireshi]

DEFINITELY worth it! And those close-up of the details are amazing, wow. The patience it must take!

[clevermanka]

Thank you! Mindless tedium is usually my jam, but my brain's not in the right place for it these days. Also good lord my eyes sure are aging. 😅

[undeadrobins]

Wow. Just wow. That is awesome.

[clevermanka]

Thank you! *chinhands sigh* I really love his face.

[kimboo_york]

It's FANTASTIC! I am really impressed, to be honest.

[clevermanka]

Thank you! Encouraging words are encouraging!

[solo]

It's AMAZING!

[clevermanka]

Thank you!

[minoanmiss]

Oh wow!

It's totally worth it.

[clevermanka]

Support helps so much! 🧡

[lferion]

That's really cool! I love all the tiny details.

[clevermanka]

Tiny details are my FAVE.

[goss]

It is looking fabulous! :D :D :D

highlighting on the lower right section of the shirt

Nice! Very 3D, and a great contrast to the style on the left.

[clevermanka]

Thank you! Making the four sections different while still having unifying elements is a challenge but so rewarding.

[bonibaru]

WOW that is AMAZING!

[clevermanka]

*rolls around in external-validation serotonin hit*

[msmitti]

I am rather shocked at the amount of work that has gone into this, but the overall piece looks amazing instead of looking like it has a lot of fiddly bits. I'd say the time was well spent.
Brava!

[clevermanka]

Thanks, doll. I wish you could zip over to art with me. Your energy would be so helpful!

[riventhorn]

The detail and texture on the hat are amazing!! I also just really like the blend of colors. And even if the fiddly details aren't obvious in a photo, I do really think that they enhance the quality of the work, which is always apparent, no matter what. And most importantly, it sounds like you're enjoying doing it. :)

[clevermanka]

I definitely like doing art again! Feels good to have the energy for it. Thank you for the reassurance that the effort is paying off.

[redheadfae]

omg yes, it's great!
I'm seeing tiny doses of improvement in your mental state, first arting, and you were able to talk about going dancing. :big hearts:

[clevermanka]

Baby Steps To Recovery! 🍾😚🧡

[naye]

OMG it looks AWESOME!! Truly!! ♥

[clevermanka]

Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

[write_out]

As a recipient of your amazing art, I will always be happy to see you making more! You make beautiful pieces; all the time you invest in your art is more than worth it. <3

[clevermanka]

Oh, bless you, bb! 😚

[raeyn_elf]

Wow! It looks amazing - love all the little details <3<3<3 *round of applause*

[clevermanka]

*bows gratefully*

[mumblemumble]

THAT LOOKS AMAZING! Seriously. *validates you!*

[clevermanka]

I appreciate your encouragement and validation!

[nnozomi]

GORGEOUS.

[clevermanka]

Thank you!

[umadoshi]

Well, that's my mind blown! *^^*

[clevermanka]

*happy clapping!*

[wrote_and_writ]

That looks awesome!

[clevermanka]

Thank you, bb!

[yaaurens]

Holy cow that is crazy cool!

[clevermanka]

eeeee! Thank you! (also omg I love that icon so much)

[brandywine28]

It's worth it! It's SO worth it! All the tiny little details are blowing my mind!

[clevermanka]

Thank you thank you! It's all tiny details from here on out...two more days two more days.

[writedragon]

Holy, fuck, woman! You're a damn fine artist. And I am totally stealing a couple of those techniques for my mixed media work. ART ON, SISTAH!

[clevermanka]

Oh my gosh! *blushes* YES PLEASE STEAL! I love what you do with your textures, so hearing that I inspired you is incredibly encouraging.

I glue down some tape transfers today and I'm very excited about that. I looooooove tape transfers!

[tinny]

omg the soft bai yu pics are unbelievable. <3<3


So, uh, can someone tell me it's worth it?

Totally worth it! But I know the middle part is always a drudge. You can do it!

[clevermanka]

It's done! It's done and sent!