Max Green, Escape The Fate

Exploring the dark and light of Max in the mirror.

Since I get so many requests for Max Green, I didn't know whether to choose a early version of Max or a recent version of Max to paint, so the only solution was to paint both. I evolved this into a story which got bigger as I went along. It started with the interview about him being possessed by demons, so I (literally) threw lots of blood at this and smeared the "666" in blood colored paint with my fingers. Yes, finger-painting these days, LOL...come to think of it, I've always used my fingers a lot when I paint. And I added string gel over the blood so the blood is actually 3D, like in Oli's "Blessed with a Curse" painting, it actually drips off the board. This is really fun.

I like starting with a base concept but having plenty of room to add to the story and have some random things happen with it, some elements I just decided to throw in along the way, like the skeleton hands, so the whole painting evolves in its own way. Lately I never plan all of a painting out...I want to be out of control a bit, so the intuitive parts can emerge. A good portrait has a story to tell, something juicy you can sink your teeth into.

I started with acrylic but also added some pastel and finally painted his faces in oils. I think I spent 6 hours on the whole painting but 10 hours alone on that annoying small face in the top right (inside the photo edge). At one point I had Max looking like he had demented Marilyn Manson eyes, when he was supposed to be looking friendly! It was then that I started laughing hysterically – I laugh at myself all the time anyway - threw my brush down and walked away for while. I suppose maybe Max wouldn't mind looking a bit like Marilyn Manson, but that wasn't meant to be part of the story concept. I did finally get the small photo to look pretty much ok, but not without a lot of aggravation and the smallest brush I could find. In traditional art there is no 'undo' button, sadly.

If I could share one BIG tip with you: DON'T try to draw or paint portraits too small, you will lose your mind! I painted his one over about 5 times. WHY? You ask? It's because my smallest brushes aren't small enough – not even my #2 cat’s tongue!

Artists! Do yourself a favor, when you're learning to draw or paint faces, get a big enough piece of paper! Trust me when I tell you it takes 3 x longer to paint it small.

Well, Max, wherever you are, I hope you like it.