Thursday, November 6, 2025

Friday Face Off 11/7/25

 

 Welcome To Friday Face OFF (FFO)
This is the place to show off your face art.
You know, ANY type of face, nature, the face of a flower, Photography, drawings, paintings. There just needs to be a face in your blog post.
 
Last week I mentioned that I found two sketches while I was going through some art paper. I showed the first one last week on FFO. Here is the second one.
I kind of remember sketching these but it must have been a very long time ago. I don't have the image of them. So, here is what this one looked like when I found him.

Then this. 

Close up 
 
Then this, as I was working, I hated it and didn't think it was very good. His eyebrows are too high, his eyes are flat and his mouth is dull. 


Close up. I don't know what I was doing. All of these dark lines around the eyes and mouth art not right.
 
When creating portraits some lines should be indicated. Shading should do the work. With that said, lines do need to be in place for the deep parts of a face, then shaded out. Anyway, that's how I do it. 
 This is what I love about art, you can change anything you want. Art allows us to be in control, to be free to make changes, improve and love what we create. Here is what he looks like now.
Eyebrows brought down, no hard lines around the eyes, and mouth.  

 I'm not sure I'm finished with him but I like him better now. 
 
It's time for some AI art.
Life for so many is pretty grim right now so I thought some happy AI is called for.
 

 

Let's see some features. 
The best part of FFO
She creates portraits with her own flare.
Even though Halloween is over, Dixie has a fine display. 
Kimberly Ann Decker 
Visit this bright and wonderful blog. It's filled with beautiful Art images.
Before I go, just a reminder of the Self Portrait Challenge. 
I ask that it is really you from any age. Please include the photo you worked from. If you are creating from life, like looking in a mirror, just show any photo of you now. 
Any medium can be used except a photograph. Ya know, you can't just put a photo of yourself. However, it can be realism, character, surreal, abstract as long as we can see you in the art. 
 Any kind of expression. Create you as you see yourself.  November 28, 2025 to show your face on FFO. That gives you 3 weeks to work on it. All Self Portraits will be featured the following week on FFO. I hope you join in.
Now it's time to show me face art.
Nicole
 

30 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

I liked him well all along, but I wasn’t looking carefully or critically. Since I can’t art, I am easily impressed.

Carola Bartz said...

You are way too critical with yourself, Nicole - can you hit that critic in the butt? I love how you work on your portraits and the process here was so interesting. Shading is difficult for me - I never really know when to stop and then I'm afraid to ruin everything. This morning I had started to work on my self portrait for the challenge - what was I thinking to do this? It definitely is a challenge for me.

Christine said...

Lovely portrait and AI work! -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Lovely portrait. Interesting to see how you work on a portrait and make changes. They are a challenge and that makes them fun. I find profiles very difficult.
Wonderful AI art.
Thank for hosting and for the link.

Margaret D said...

He looks ok to me, from the beginning to the end...looks different and softer today the end.
Your AI's are good.

Iris Flavia said...

Interesting how you go! I start with the eyes, mostly (not that I compare myself with you!!! You are top notch and I´m in kindy shoes)
LOL - he came out great but I kinda wait for him to shout "off the grass, you kids!"
Sweet AI - my arm is better btw! Have a great day.

kwarkito said...

Je suis stupéfait par tes réalisations de la semaine. Le jour du monstre t'a particulièrement inspiré. Et tes productions pour ffo sont toujours aussi étonnantes

Anonymous said...

Hello, I'm back from our trip and hereby end my blog break - although it will probably still take a while until I'm "fully back" 😊😉
Therefore, for now, just short but very warm greetings from Austria,
Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2025/11/calle-libre-2025-streetart-in-wien.html
PS: I really like the improved portrait of the man and also your "metal birds" and other AI works, dear Nicole!

Maria Medeiros said...

Happy Friday Nicole! I love your portrait. So much detail and shading is truly wonderful. You are so amazing at portraits!!! Have a wonderful Friday and a great weekend! Hugs!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Looks great to me. I am really looking forward to the self portraits.

Jeanie said...

This is very interesting about the lines and shading. That's one of my week points in any art. I really liked hearing your process. The only faces in my offering are on book covers, but if one is Diane Keaton's with her smile, I can work with that!

Gene Black said...

Some art you can change easily. Other types, not so much. I always liked painting with acrylic, because you can paint over your mistakes. Watercolor is quite a different matter.

Violetta said...

Real nice drawings dear Nicole, you are an artist....and you´ve done it personally...with no AI.
Have a good time and all the best
Violetta

My name is Erika. said...

Very nice face Nicole. I agree with you completely about art. And it is the perfect stess reliever, even when you have to clean your art space it's fun to fund those things you forgot you had or forgot where you put them. :) Sorry no self-portrait yet. Hopefully next week. Have a wonderful weekend ahead. hugs-Erika

Mae Travels said...

sharing your process of creation is a wonderful way to show us your art.

CAAC said...

Nicole,

Your portraits are always amazing to me. The only thing in the first one I think I would've done was fix the hard line under his eyes. In the first one, he looks like he's in good spirits and the second he appears upset. It's interesting how the small changes altered the vibe on his face. Nicely done!

Thanks for hosting, mi' dear. Have a good weekend! xo

an artist reflects said...

Lovely portrait work and AI too ~ hugs,
an artist reflects

Ash said...

I'm always so impressed by your drawings, absolutely beautiful. I love the ai of the child in bed with the woman's face next to it. Gorgeous.

My FFO: https://essentiallyash.blogspot.com/2025/11/friday-face-off-beautiful-sobriety.html

Alsooo, if you feel like helping a chaotic reader out — I’ve got a November Readathin poll up where y’all pick my book by its first line.
Come vote and join the madness 😅 https://essentiallyash.blogspot.com/2025/11/november-readthin-first-sentences.html

Wishing you cozy chaos and untamed joy — Ash 🦌🐻🦊🐇🌻🍄

Ash @ Essentially Ash
Click here if you want to follow me on Bookstagram, booktok, add my snapchat or check out my photography

Rita said...

I like to see the changes you made along the way. I like him better at the end, too, but you can always draw so well he never looked bad at all. :)

https://linsartyblobs.blogspot.com said...

Good changes to your portrait. The AI candles made me smile.

roentare said...

I am fascinated and drawn to the metallic birds AI. So good.

Lowcarb team member said...

Yes, a very nice collection of happy AI :)

Enjoy the remainder of Friday and have a good weekend.

All the best Jan

Mia said...

I love him at the end, Nicole. Thank you for the inspiration.

The Rev. Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

You never cease to amaze me with your portraiture skills. Blessings!

Sintra blogue said...

thanks

MELODY JACOB said...

I love how honest you are about your process; it makes the art feel alive and approachable. Your reminder that art gives us freedom and control is such an encouraging note for anyone creating.

www.melodyjacob.com

MELODY JACOB said...

I can almost feel the cool mountain mist and see the jade-green river winding through the valley. I love how you weave history, personal memory, and environmental restoration together.

Mary Kirkland said...

You did a great job with the sketch. I love the pictures.

Michelle said...

I appreciate that you show us the steps in the development of your art. I am not an artist, so I appreciate your work in the best way.

baili said...

I think you are wonderful artist dear Nichole 👍♥️
Though I see how hard you are on yourself
This is delightful portrait and you have made some striking and great changes in this which makes him look more interesting 🤗👌