I've done a number of tribute paintings over the last few years, and Bowie was an unexpected and unfortunate one. The painting, however, ended up being one of my favorite portraits. When I heard about his death I immediately started researching images and got to work.
I found this black-and-white image because it isn't the most well known, and I flipped it just to make it a bit different. With the tributes, I became interested in painting a black-and-white picture and adding saturated color highlights, so I followed suit with this one. I started in the evening, worked through the night, and finished by noon the next day. Sometimes I'll binge paint when it's worth it. Yes, I know I'm a little crazy.
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This is the only process photo I found (I was too busy painting) but this shows the pink, acrylic underpainting I used to give the black and white more interest. You can also see my struggle with the eyes here. I think part of my problem was the fact that I flipped the photo so it made his likeness off a little bit as is, but also because that's just part of the process. I make mistakes and I tweak them until I get them right, or as close as I can. You wouldn't believe how long I can spend on an eyeball. Patience is key.
Wondeful your art ..Really outstanding your painting .Carry on dear.
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Thank you!
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Wow!! awesome!!
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Thank you!
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Great tribute piece, I like the blue and pink hues, the classical frame brings it out nicely as well.
I was similarly inspired to do a portrait of him, I hope you don't mind me sharing it here...
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Thanks! No, of course! What did you use to make this? I like it!
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Thank you, I mixed the photo and acrylic paint (picture of) through photoshop🤓
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This is wonderful. Been thinking about him a bit of late after watching the HBO Documentary on his last 5 years. That was a man with so much incredible talent! Thanks for sharing this painting of him. Excellence!!
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He was for sure. I'll have to check that out! Thanks, Mike!
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Ok, that's humbling. So very good Christie. ~Cheers
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Thank you!
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Nice work, also on the short and suit. When you do a under painting how much of the detail do you already put in there? Is it just the basic shapes or is it already a painting in itself?
I usually just get going and never really occurred to me to do an under painting first.
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Thanks! I change it up about every time depending on the project and what I feel like. For something elaborate I would use a more detailed underpainting to make sure everything is in place before I'd start with oils. For this one, I just used the solid color. It changes the game for the second layer for sure. Fun stuff.
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Ahh nice, thanks I'll give it a try when I have the chance paint again :)
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Your portraits rock!
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Thanks, Mom! Integrating them into my new series soon :D
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wowwwww.... are your paintings usually exhibited in museums etc?i want to really visit your artwork someday when i'm in the states <3 they're amazing !
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Thank you! I appreciate that. Hopefully that opportunity happens :) I'm in a couple of galleries but expanding more.
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I love that you didn’t just do the black and white but included the pink, blue and green hues!
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