Self portrait

**alanstancliff** · 19 February 2007, 09:41 AM

I'm pretty much of a beginner at Xara, although I have been using it for some web graphics. Here's a learning project from a photo I took of myself. It's a bit of a draft, and I'm not happy with some of it, but it's a start.

**handrawn** · 19 February 2007, 09:55 AM

fine start Alan
I shall resist the temptation to add a more 'meaningful' moustache!
Look forward to seeing more of you

**sallybode** · 19 February 2007, 02:46 PM

Great start on portraiture. Do you have a tablet, mousing all that hair and beard would have been something! Your beard is longer than in your avatar, or was it before you trimmed it, for the picture you were using?

**parahandy** · 19 February 2007, 03:45 PM

And a very good start it is too Alan

**Intbel** · 19 February 2007, 04:48 PM

I didn't recognise you without the cap.
A most excellent start.

**GeoBen** · 19 February 2007, 05:25 PM

Can't see what there would be to be unhappy with. Looks all good to me as a sketch. The lips need a lil refinement, but I imagine you know that.

This is hard stuff to do, look forward to seeing the progress.

geo.

**alanstancliff** · 19 February 2007, 06:14 PM

Hi Handrawn,

The moustache and eyebrow were two items that dissatisfied me. I really don't know how to do hair very well. The hair on the head was somewhat more successful.

And Sally, you're a real hard act to follow. I do have a tablet, an Intuos, which I got to use with Painter and Paintshop Pro before I got Xara. I'm going to trim my beard again. I had let it grow out for Christmas as I was a Santa at a party on that day. I'm also going to get a haircut. My beard really is white and my hair is quite gray with some black streakiness in it

GeoBend, Parahandy, and Raymond, thanks for the encouragement. I definitely feel like I've learned something and have always admired what the masters do here.

In general, in looking at this, I think I will try to make it simpler, fewer lines, more suggestion and less outright statement and see what I come up with.

**handrawn** · 19 February 2007, 07:37 PM

Hi Alan

Its good stick with it - and if you need any tips on the 'dick dastardly' look, moustache and all, you only have to ask, you know that

Cheers

**alanstancliff** · 19 February 2007, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by handrawn

Hi Alan

Its good stick with it - and if you need any tips on the 'dick dastardly' look, moustache and all, you only have to ask, you know that

Cheers

Any hints about hair, moustaches, or anything else sketch-wise would be welcome.

Regards,

Alan

**jamesmc** · 19 February 2007, 11:29 PM

For mustaches I would recommend a comb and frequent washing as food particles and nose goblins get caught in there.

Seriously, I find that using the various strokes (shown below head) is all you need, along with varying the color as hair is usually not one color. Put darker strokes to the back, lighter strokes to the front just offset of the darker strokes. You can salt and pepper the the hair with various colors including transparencies.