OK. I’ve completed my Acrylic Portraiture class…and turned right around and enrolled again. I thought about taking a different painting class (there was one called “Art Forgery” were you pick a famous painting to copy) but I wanted to finish my second (human*) portrait. I also wanted to solidify in my mind the process that my instructor is teaching us. It’s yield good results for me so I want to see if I can replicate a good painting by myself, without a “the eyes are too high up”, “the hair is darker on the right side”, etc. from another person. Full truth: I started one at home and did not bring it in to show my teacher. Needless to say, it has been covered in white gesso and ready to try again. Unless I wanted to call the picture Jeff Goldblum Stung In the Face By Bees.
Side Note: I’ve never been a fan fictioner or a fan artist but for some reason I really digging painting famous folks. Mainly because I’m still learning. I can’t imagine painting a friend or family member and then having to face them if they are highly offended by my rendering. With celebs, I can focus on the technique. No pressure.
So that brings us to the ultimate icon that no amount of paint can do complete justice but I sure as hell tried and I’m happy with the results: David fuckin’ Bowie.
Please enjoy these Painting In Progress: Bowie Edition pics:
outline and beginning the base layer 
HANDS. Sigh. They were tough. 
After working on base layer the flesh tone looks really weird. 
Coming along… 
Finished! (Maybe?)
*Technically my first portrait was of Nova the cat. She deserves being firsty.
Edited to add: Don’t know why that one pic in the gallery is on its side. It’s right-side up in the media library. Maybe it’s a metaphor for the challenge of painting hands…or something.
