Rafa van Rijn

Portrait of Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez based on one of Rembrandt van Rijn's famous self-portraits and using a similar Flemish 7 layer painting technique used by most of the famous Dutch and Italian masters stage-by stage.

Music: Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata

Comparison image for those who don't understand the aim of the final image and thought it doesn't look like Rafa: (middle image reference photo masked off):

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/8392/71235345uc6.jpg

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Rafa
• benitez
• torres
• speed
• painting
• beethoven
• moonligt
• sonata
• LFC
• Liverpool
• rembrandt
• classical
• photoshop
• spain
• gerrard

[seandeena]

I would like to see you use a brush...thats the hard part. layering liquid oils with smooth strokes, steady hand and patience. I just don't see the artistic value in computer art. I do know you have good skills with the pc program. I wouldn't even try it. I find myself attracted to this beautiful 7 layer style of painting. Thats what brought me to your vid.

[macphisto80]

@seandeena Understand what you are saying. The properties of oils such and their opacity is different. Still, this video was just a digital demonstation of the technique involved. I use the same technique when painting with real oil paints on a canvas. The outcome is no different. In fact, it's better.

[8tala7]

Really very good! I guess it took lots of time. Thanks for sharing, I never heard of this technique before but I will try it myself with my Wacom! =)

[macphisto80]

The technique itself isn't really required for any sort of digital art. It's a technique that is often used for the oil-based medium on canvas. It's a layering process that was used by many of the Italian and Dutch masters, especially pre-raphaelite era. If you look at paintings like the Mona Lisa and some of Rembrandts earlier work, you'll notice a bluish hue throughout the flesh tones that give a natural look. That is one of the layers you see in the video.

[vegas9879]

very beautiful!!

is ther anywhere on the web that explains this tecnique of painting more?

[macphisto80]

There is plenty of educational sites. All you really need to do is Google. Write in Flemish 7 layer oil painting technique or something to do with Vermeer or Rembrandt and you should get a few good results. Unfortunately the technique isn't really taught anymore in art schools, so you really need to do a bit of research if you want to practice it. The most challenging aspect is getting the color of the "dead layer" or Penumbra exactly right according to tone.

[macphisto80]

@MARMARR1 If you're talking about me, go get your eyes tested.

[nikki112459]

Excellent simply excellent. You did with a photo software what painters do with oils and acrylics.

[8tala7]

@macphisto80 Yes I was looking up Videos to the flemish technique, so I found your Video. I´m doing oil paintings as well, but it´s true, they don´t teach it at art academies...

A and I forgot to say that I love how you set the lights in the end! =)

[lovley7000]

BRILLIANT!!!!

[lunkan65]

you are a sick man! nice work