I continue to work on the face until I’m happy with it. Now to get some idea of where she is in space I need to add her hair. I’m deciding on dark hair with Payne’s gray, just for some contrast, but if you are using a selfie of yourself feel free to do your hair accordingly!
I go on to painting the background as well, keeping the left side darker as I wanted the hard to stand out more. I also scribbled some charcoal pencil into the background just for fun! ;P
To emphasize the eyes, I use a smaller liner brush and add some depth with the bone black. I also darken the nostrils and outer edges of the mouth, and right under the bottom lip, which are normally the darkest areas of the face. Don’t forget to add some highlights to the eyes as well.
I also decided to write my thoughts on her body, and the feelings I wanted to express. It doesn’t have to be readable, this is only for you, and just to get out those feelings onto paper. And of course, It also adds little extra interest. I also wanted to add the words “Break free” as that what I was trying to express with this painting, how she is breaking free of that darkness that holding her back. It can be breaking free of whatever situation you want to leave behind. Bad habits, a trauma, guilt, an unhealthy situation, whatever. Only you will know this.
I used Payne’s gray for this, and dripped down some of the letters to make it more dramatic. You can also sketch out your letters first with charcoal pencil so you make sure to fit your words evenly onto the paper.