Young Buck

Showing you now a sample of my reference material and then the finished painting.  The freedom to change certain elements of the original photograph is not just your right but in fact becomes necessary in order to make a simpler statement, which of course is stronger than reality.  The photo shows the face at an odd, rather oblique angle.  I prefer a profile, three quarters, or frontal.  That would be more familiar in terms of how the painting might be appreciated by the viewer.  No need to paint every blade of dried grass to get the message across either.  There should be an obvious focal point if I have done my job and it should be in a pleasing spot on the canvas.  All of this is just my opinion, mine and hundreds of other artists that is.  But I also believe we should not back ourselves into too many rules or corners so to speak.  I have tried so hard to learn the traditional methods of painting but I also envy some of the more contemporary painters of our day and only wish I knew where to begin without seeming foolish or lazy in my methods.