334 by Michael Osborne on 01/18/03 at 11:04 AM
How can i paint wood realistically???

I have been recently told to study an artist at school, we have been asked to look at the artists technique and then paint a portrait in that particular style. I chose to study Ingres and have researched his technique (with the help of this website). I am now some way through my portrait (for which i chose Jenifer Lopez) and it has been going well through the different stages. The face and body is complete and i have moved onto painting in the wooden door frame, (which is surrounding her) and the door its self which is open. I have been worring about how to maintain the level of realism which i have captured in the face and the body. The wood in the photo appears very light with a dark grain, how should i go about painting this without it letting the rest of painting down?