Harry Potter - Dumbledore Portrait

[DexJay]

Hi,
Inbetween my y-wing helmet build up which is looking like this...

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..I've been working on a Dumbledore portrait. Although what I do at University is more contemporary I thought I'd have a go at another oil on canvas portrait. This particular portrait is based upon the late Richard Harris from the Philosophers Stone and Chamber of Secrets and is seen in his study.

I tried to replicate the layout and colours as much as possible and transfered a pencil drawing to canvas initially.


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With the marks roughly in the right place I started with the underpainting in reds to start to build up tonal qualities...

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Beginning to get there and after this step it was time for more colour...

It was nice to be painting again really as my last portrait was over 2 years ago and the only painting on a repro prop is usually with a paint gun or airbrush!

Rich

 

[DexJay]

The next step was to continue adding colour and slowly tightening everything up.

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The sleeves, the crystal ball the buttons on what looks like a tent in the background and getting the face to look like Harris (which) it slowly was...

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Like a lot of stuff painting is strangely addictive! Especially when you can see it coming together quite quickly!

Rich

 

[Adam Fails]

Wow! Great progress so far! I like it!

 

[DexJay]

Thankyou! I'll upload some more pics tomorrow....
I've only really finished it this week and the above pics are from about 1/2 the way through.

Rich

 

[p00k1333]

Looking good! Can't wait to see the finished painting!
I never tried oils, but I did a commissioned replica of the Barnabas Collins portrait some years ago in acrylics.

from another Rich

 

[ecl]

Very cool; A wizard portrait would be a great addition to a potter collection. Your painting is looking great. You'll need a nice frame for the finishing touch

 

[DexJay]

Hi, thanks! That's a nice portrait too!
I'd never used oils myself until about 5 years ago and I'd not really touch Acrylics again! Oils are more forgiving, nicer to blend, build transparency and remove if you mess something up!

Yep I'm after a frame as we speak, I know what I'm after (19th Century style) also seen some described as Victorian/French/Italian! It won't be finished until its framed!

More pics later!

Rich

 

[Nobby]

very nice work, Dex :thumbsup
I cannot paint to save my life and admire anyone with this level of skill

 

[DexJay]

Thankyou! It's a good job I can paint (and sculpt) as I'm not much good at anything else!

Here's the image for reference of which one I'm reproducing...

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After another load of reworking it looked like this (about a week ago).
I've reworked it almost everywhere, sleeves, fur, hat, face yet again and of course the addition of his title!

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A close up of his face at this stage...the tweaking seemed never ending!

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Just about 2 more updates and it's done!

Rich

 

[woozelmom]

Dex,
Dumbledore looks wonderful!!! You are very talented!!! Thank you so much for sharing your WIP pictures. It was great to see him come to life

 

[Unidragn]

Thankyou! It's a good job I can paint (and sculpt) as I'm not much good at anything else!

Here's the image for reference of which one I'm reproducing...

View attachment 109404

After another load of reworking it looked like this (about a week ago).
I've reworked it almost everywhere, sleeves, fur, hat, face yet again and of course the addition of his title!

View attachment 109402

A close up of his face at this stage...the tweaking seemed never ending!

View attachment 109403

Just about 2 more updates and it's done!

Rich

Way coo!

 

[DexJay]

Thanks for the nice compliments!
After the above stage I decided to wash some tinted medium over the top of a few surfaces...there were some colours that were bugging me and the colour wasn't quite right.

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The background and drapes (curtains to us) felt a bit better to me now!

Also the other big rework was his hat! I'd only got suggestions of pattern on there before, with this now tightened up you can see texture and highlights.

The chair is still quite loose, but it's like this on the original, so I don't want to over do it!

Yes, and a yet a few more dabs of detail to his face! Its a slow process of creating marks and constantly tightening them up. Hopefully you go in the right direction!

At a glance not too much has changed, but there are a few hours here and there gone in!

One more update and apart from the frame he's done!

Rich

 

[PotionMistress]

Oh, this is coming along marvelously! It's going to look terrific on the wall. You're VERY TALENTED indeed!

I'm into painting wizard portraits myself, and have been collecting a few antique frames to paint portraits for, but just haven't done yet due to other projects. So I know sometimes its hard to decide when you feel the painting is actually 'done'. You'll probably keep having the urge to touch it up for years after you've 'completed' it.

Thanks so much for sharing your progress on this. This is one of the best HP projects I've seen.

 

[DexJay]

Thankyou for saying so! I think everyone from props to painting wishes they were better, definitely me included! Practice does make perfect though!

Yes, knowing when to stop is tough, my mom dropped in early this week and said, "Mess that painting up, and I'll kill you!" :lol
So I'll only do so much more... good luck with your Wizard portraits too, by the way!

Final update pics coming this weekend!

Rich

 

[DexJay]

Harry Potter - Dumbledore Portrait - Finished!

Hi!
After quite of few finishing touches the portrait is done.
The final touches were done mainly on the face - shadows, tightening up of a few lines and highlights on the beard, stray hairs that poked out!

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It probably doesn't appear much, but there you go!
I just need a frame to complete, I'll be hanging it soon to try to keep it safe and free up the easel.

Next project? I want to do a Dumbledore from the Half-Blood Prince (Gambon) sleeping in his chair. I've got canvas and picked up a frame yesterday. While the frame isn't screen accurate it is certainly fitting with the 19th Century/French/Italian framing of the wizard portraits, so it will fit right in!

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Rich

 

[PotionMistress]

:thumbsup

I applaud you! Delightful work and a wonderful accomplishment, not to mention, very inspiring for all of us HP fans!

Thanks so much for sharing your art. Fantatstic frame too!
thumbsup

 

[DexJay]

Thankyou for the kind words!!
As soon as I start on the sleeping Dumbledore I'll post pics and keep you up to date!

Anyone considering starting a painting, worry later, just dive in! Everyone gets better with practice, no matter what your skill level.
Painting (especially when it goes well) is addictive!


Rich

 

[woozelmom]

Holy Cow your portrait is AWESOME!!!! :love
Fantastic work you are very talented. I can't wait to see Gambone's Dumbledore, I am sure it will be equally as wonderful :thumbsup

 

[DexJay]

Thanks for the nice words!
Having just done this one I'm sure it'll turn out OK!

I'm getting wood today for the stretchers (frame), then I'm off!
Inbetween that is the y-wing helmet paint up and my poor 70's Dalek is getting neglected too! The painting though makes no noise (unlike the other 2 projects) and I can do it anytime!
I frequently feel like painting around midnight...don't ask me why!

Rich

 

[Alric]

Great painting and it looks to make a nice change for you from your other projects. Now make him move