Hello everyone!

I would like to show you a project I did somewhat fast in oils as a gift. It is a bust of Mahatma Gandhi from 2Dreamers. The project was a good stretch of muscles after Priscilla, as this was good practice in mixing darker skin. But, I think that I've failed in this. Mixing a skin tone, which is not caucasian and should represent a living man is pretty hard for me. As I did the figure in oils my biggest issues were in the highlights - how to show contrast and not just do the figure in white. So I redid the highlights multiple times and got to a point where I was satisfied. The white robe was fairly straightforward but it showed me that I should go even deeper with my shadow colours and then don't worry, as the oils can create good blends.

The biggest issue I had was with varnishing. I think I did not let it set for long so I varnished it and when I wanted to add more edge highlight and texture the paint was crumbling. So I tried to save it by removing a little bit of paint and adding white and calling it good.

The photos were quickly captured and I think it looks better irl, which is what matters to me.

Thank you for reading my ramblings.

Take care!

  • Lando FabrezianPLUS

    Hey man. I think this came out phenomenal. The blends are nice and the highlights came out very well. It will be a wonderful gift that will be much appreciated.

    • Štěpán Tichý

      Thank you! The gift was received well, so I am glad for that!

  • eric wolfs

    gold

  • Steven ZuleskiPLUS

    As an oiler myself I think you pulled this off nicely.  However, you know how touchy oils can be, but they do blend very well.  IMHO, placing a varnish on top of the oils should always been done after a few days, once the oils have dried sufficiently.  I still use Testors Dull Coat out of a rattle can, have done so for decades with great results.  You were able to recover the damage, and that is always a good thing.

    Flesh tones look spot on, Stepan, don’t beat yourself up too much, live and learn, and on to the next one!

    Great job.

    • Štěpán Tichý

      Haha, I like the term ‘oiler’ I will use that from now on :-)
      Yes, you are correct. I definitely should have waited more. My friends showed me a model master flat lacquer, but for some reason, I cannot find it anywhere to buy in the EU (it is probably banned).
      Thank you so much for your encouraging words, I am not beating myself up, just trying to be realistic about these things. And you are completely right about learning! Thank you!

  • Holger SchwarzPLUS

    Das ist eine sehr realistische und auch anmutige Dastellung und Wiedergabe eines großartigen Menschen ! Dieses Werk ist eine echte Bereicherung und machtv große Freude es anzusehen . Vielen Dank dafür Stepan

    • Štěpán Tichý

      Thank you so much Holger! I am glad you like my piece, it makes me glad you like! :-)

  • Vitaly Lapshin

    Золото

  • MartinSporka

    I think you achieved the goal, the skin looks realistics to me. Do not worry about the wet oils issue, next time you will create not the same but similar one:) Trust me, I know what I am talking about :) “Gandhi, get on the floor and give me fifty, now!” (Red Dwarf :)

    • Štěpán Tichý

      Thank you so much, Martin! Hahaha, yes, the Red Dwarf reference made me laugh :D

  • vincenzo gambinoPLUS

    great work ... gold