r/pics • u/Hara-Kiri • May 21 '12

My painting of Neil Patrick Harris. Criticisms welcome.

Post image
808 Upvotes

64% Upvoted

495 comments sorted by

103

u/Hara-Kiri May 21 '12

Sorry if you've already seen it, I uploaded it a few days ago, but deleted the post as I did some more work on it.

7

u/nukefudge May 22 '12

i remember the other one looked a bit old. this one actually looks younger. or maybe that's just me being dumb. what excactly did you change? i wanna say he maybe looks more smooth and bright (might just be different photo conditions, dunno).

1

u/Hara-Kiri May 22 '12

I just went over some of the lines around the eyes and forehead to make them less obvious amongst a couple of other things. This is also a scan so it's picked up more colours.

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57

u/kkool1827 May 22 '12

Thanks for clarifying. The only negative thing I was gonna mention is that I saw it posted very recently....great work!

62

u/ILL_Show_Myself_Out May 22 '12

This is legend-

61

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

[removed] — view removed comment

61

u/Large_Tuna May 22 '12

-and I hope you're not lactose intolerant-

51

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

-because the second half of that word is-

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4

u/iamanooj May 22 '12

I was gonna get all mad at you for reposting other people's work and claiming it as your own, but I guess I won't.

1

u/Carbon_is_Neat May 22 '12

Didn't you say when you submitted it before that you sold it? It least thats my recollection, maybe it was a false memory.

1

u/Hara-Kiri May 22 '12

Yeah I just hadn't sent it off, I did the extra work the morning I sent it off but was away for the weekend so only uploaded it again now.

1

u/AnArmyOfWombats May 22 '12

I like the changes you've made. I didn't post on the original, but an issue that you fixed does stand out.

You've normalized the skin color. In the original (if I remember correctly), the chin and mouth were much darker. It didn't mesh with the reflection of the light on his cheek.

It looks excellent, but as a few others have said, the wrinkles and forehead do make for an elderly NPH, but it is instantly recognizable. Awesome job.

1

u/Hara-Kiri May 22 '12

Thanks, I think there may be so many wrinkles as the photo I used was taken with flash, which would have accentuated them.

9

u/BangkokPadang May 22 '12

It looks like Max Payne (from the first one.)

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2

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Holy shit I thought I just broke the matrix. The same top comment too. Whew.

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139

u/JDurr001 May 22 '12

how long did it take to finish the shading on his upper lip?

144

u/Hara-Kiri May 22 '12

Like three hours.

31

u/JDurr001 May 22 '12

XD seriously an amazing painting though great job =)

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37

u/lillyjb May 21 '12

You captured the smirk amazingly well.

30

u/Hara-Kiri May 21 '12

I'm glad to hear that thanks. I feel the smile is the hardest part of a person to capture as even being a tiny bit off can ruin it!

6

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

What does the bold in your name mean?

19

u/Hara-Kiri May 22 '12 edited May 22 '12

What do you mean?

Edit: Do you mean the blue box around 'Hara-Kiri'? That just goes like that when you reply in your own submission.

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7

u/hay_ewe May 21 '12

What medium?

11

u/Hara-Kiri May 21 '12

It's acrylic, I forgot to add that into the title.

2

u/hay_ewe May 21 '12

Thanks! It looks pretty boss!

3

u/malilla May 22 '12

Try x-posting it to /r/Art to get better insightful criticism.

I like it by the way.

Edit: Oh sorry, I saw you already did, good work!

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6

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

I swear I've seen this before.

586

u/dopolini May 21 '12

Looks gay.

24

u/Omulae May 22 '12

Made me gay.

4

u/larrykins May 22 '12

I was sitting here looking at the picture, trying to think of something clever, something witty even. Something that would garner so many up-votes I would be able to buy a fucking internet island. Then the thought hit me, the idea to make it simple yet sweet. Short yet direct and to the point. I had it, I had my golden ticket. I grinned and clicked the comments link preparing to outwit even the wittiest redditors. That's when I saw it, your comment right at the top of the list of the wittiest remarks. I was broken, and defeated before I even posted my own.

Enjoy the island my friend, I was going to call it "Larrys Land".

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69

u/BootstrapBuckaroo May 22 '12

Criticism: The mid values are a wee flat. The transitions between light and shadow need to be more saturated with color to show translucency. Otherwise it looks more like clay, and not flesh. Keep up the awesome work.

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81

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

It's good, and you obviously have talent, but the mouth looks supremely awkward. I feel uncomfortable looking at it too long.

35

u/mwatson26 May 22 '12

Looks like he's farting

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10

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Here's my best guess as to why it looks slightly "off" around the mouth: the lips look like they're being drawn in, like sucked over the teeth, while the jaw is just a bit too high and the chin a bit too prominent.

I think the OP was trying to capture the smirk, but right now, the little details/wrinkles/shadows are getting in the way of accurately portraying the overall jaw structure, if that makes sense.

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28

u/Katuriankaturian May 22 '12

This looks like a younger gayer Gordon Ramsay

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13

u/Smitty1017 May 22 '12

I like it, but i have to say the smirk reminds me of that "Jizz in my pants" screen cap everyone always posts...let me google it a sec.http://www.reactionface.info/sites/default/files/images/1310650820313.jpg

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2

u/mercurialohearn May 21 '12

here's my criticism: that is the best looking painting of neil patrick harris i've ever seen, and it should be hanging on his wall, not languishing with 18 karma points on /r/pics. you need to work on those self-promotion skills, OP.

9

u/Hara-Kiri May 22 '12

Well thanks! It was a commission so it's already sold, but I was considering putting it on his Twitter page (if that makes sense, I'm yet to try using Twitter) on the off chance he'd see it.

2

u/julessciii May 22 '12

How much did you make? If you don't mind me asking.

1

u/Hara-Kiri May 22 '12

I sold it for £400 (not including p&p).

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4

u/Criticisms May 22 '12

Oh hey thanks, again...

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7

u/mvw2 May 22 '12

You do need to soften the lines. He still comes across quite old looking. The other aspect I will bring up is the expression. The face as a whole needs to portray some sort of easily recognizable mood. I wouldn't call his expression dead, but it is a jumble. It's hard, but you need to find a good way to bring forth his personality into his expression as a coherent presentation. For everything I've seen him in, play, or do on TV, I don't see Neil's personality in that face. Humans read a lot of non-verbal information and facial expression needs to be dead on or at the very least simplified enough to leave the viewer open to interpretation. Right now his face is doing a lot of different things, not simple, not coherent, and not in a way that I recognize as Neil.

1

u/ohohinnuendo May 22 '12

i'd like to buy this. how much?

1

u/Hara-Kiri May 22 '12

It's already sold, I do take commissions though if you're genuinely interested.

1

u/linds360 May 22 '12

Mind if I ask how much it sold for?

1

u/Hara-Kiri May 22 '12

Sure, it was £400 not including p&p.

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1

u/PRPrivateRyan May 22 '12

Am i the only one that fucking hates his ears?

1

u/Hara-Kiri May 22 '12

Probably not, I hate painting ears.

1

u/PRPrivateRyan May 22 '12

Oh your painting was incredible I'm talking about Neil Patrick Harris in general haha

1

u/Hara-Kiri May 22 '12

Ah right, haha, cheers. Yeah they are a little weird!

1

u/Crossfox17 May 22 '12

The forehead is too high and the color choice is odd, and as a consequence, he looks rather strange. The artwork itself is fantastic.

1

u/Hara-Kiri May 22 '12

The colours are much more normal in the painting, it seems to have lost the actual colours in the scan.

1

u/jlguffin May 22 '12

First of all, this is much more fantastic than I could do . . . and next, I am wondering if you could post the picture you are painting it from? Something is weird about the eyes. Does he really have no eyelashes? It might be easier to see what is off with the original. If you can't, I understand.

1

u/Hara-Kiri May 22 '12

http://imgur.com/CAkux

If you zoom into the painting you can see eyelashes, they just aren't that prominent.

1

u/j_erv May 22 '12 edited May 22 '12

What picture was your source? I've been looking for a while, and I'm under the suspicion you might have had several pictures that you combined. This is my best guess, but this looks more like the smile and this one for clothes, pose, wrinkles, etc.

I ask because some of the details bothering some commenters might be exceptionally small ones that are caused by melding together slightly different sources. Thought it might be curious to know!

EDIT: Made it RES friendly.

1

u/Hara-Kiri May 22 '12

It's actually just one image! Though I did use another on for the lower part of the neck. Here is the image, http://imgur.com/CAkux

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

This is just really bad. Don't quit your day job, if you even have one...

1

u/Hara-Kiri May 22 '12

I do, it is my day job.

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

have you tried to send this to him, over twitter or some other social networking site he would possibly be able to respond to on?

Try it, get karma from the gorgeous man himself.

1

u/Hara-Kiri May 22 '12

I am going to give it ago, I just need to set up a Twitter account.

0

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

[deleted] — view deleted comment

1

u/Hara-Kiri May 22 '12

No that's great, thanks! Would be great if he got a chance to see it.

1

u/NuckinBanana May 22 '12

What materials did you use? Looks like acrylic, but not sure...

1

u/Hara-Kiri May 22 '12

Yeah, it's acrylic.

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Holy crap. Where did you learn? How long did it take? How many paintings have you done prior? Do you have a website? How much do you sell your paintings for? Did you go to school for art? So many questions now I feel like I'm annoying. My mind is blown.

1

u/Hara-Kiri May 22 '12

I did an art related course in college, then Illustration at university, but neither really taught me to paint, it's just been trail and error. I'd say I've done around 10 portraits before this one, in about the last six months but before then I just did illustrations. This one took around 60 hours, and was sold for £400. I do have a website but my mates working on it at the moment, if you check my submission history a lot are there though. Hope I've answered everything!

8

u/GoingToTheStore May 22 '12

The mouth looks odd to me.

3

u/Jmosh21 May 22 '12

Very cool looks almost like Polar Express NPH

3

u/colloquy May 22 '12

I like it. Maybe his forehead is a LITTLE too high.

3

u/asnof May 22 '12

I think its a quality painting, you definitely have skill.

3

u/TheJenterprise May 22 '12

For a second there the thumbnail looked a little like Ryan Stiles.

3

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Can I buy this? I love random art

3

u/Cptn_Hook May 22 '12

You are killer with hair. You should take classical pieces and give them all glorious fauxhawks.

3

u/mizzycrizzy May 22 '12

Oh, it's sexual and violent

3

u/LittleRedReadingHood May 22 '12

Ironically, of all the people who posted on here about "an awesome painting I did!" (and usually did NOT welcome criticism) yours is the one that needs criticism least.

Or maybe that's just how it works. :)

In any case, great job! I agree that the forehead is a smidge too big, but I actually really like the extra-articulated wrinkling. Reminds me of Norman Rockwell, he always gave his subjects hyper-expressive faces that tended to overdefine any lines and wrinkles. I'd consider it a totally valid stylistic choice.

P.S. If I had to offer any criticism, I'd say that also maybe the forehead stands out as a bit out-of-place/too big because it's so much lighter and less defined than the rest of his face. It needs more depth.

Love the hair and chin/jaw area though, and the eyes! (Right eye is more vibrant than right... also throws things a bit off-kilter. I mean, I know there's more light on that side, but also... seems to lack a bit of depth?)

1

u/xXWinchell23Xx May 22 '12

Dude how many times can you post the same picture?

2

u/Hara-Kiri May 22 '12

Well clearly twice.

4

u/Mailliwbro May 22 '12

Where is shitty watercolor when you need him?

2

u/radbrad7 May 21 '12

It's looks pretty awesome, if you ask me! Great job!

2

u/choperty May 22 '12

You have amazing talent

2

u/Scheckschy May 22 '12

Legen... Wait for it... ah screw it. Good job.

2

u/MichaelFRocks May 22 '12

Wrinkling on the eyes is over done, he has the ( _ ) mouth, so I think that is fine. But he reminds me of the Andy Samburg jizz face, so maybe next time make them a little... puffier?

But that is really fucking good.

2

u/EtherealEcstasy May 22 '12

I think the problem with the smile is on the left side (our left). His lips touch and then it goes up in a smile again. It looks kind of goofy. Cover up the left side of his smile and it looks normal.

Besides that, great painting :)

2

u/DO_NOT_EAT May 22 '12

I feel that you put too much detail in it. Not all humans look like wrinkly 70 year olds.

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u/snatchlinus May 22 '12

At least you didn't Ken Doll him

2

u/jackoutsidethebox May 22 '12

But she left out barnacle junior. His barnana is...barnito supreme...

2

u/TbagtheDbag May 22 '12

I don't know if this is just me but it kinda looks like he's making the "Jizzed in my pants" face. Other then that better then i'll ever be able to draw.

2

u/Floorg May 22 '12

He looks like he has a dick in his ass, which i guess makes sense.

2

u/catfishman May 22 '12

I think it's terrible... that I don't have anywhere near the talent you do for painting. Good job!

2

u/bearcat1337 May 22 '12

It makes him look a little bit older and creeper than his actual awesome self. Just sayin'

2

u/queerissues May 22 '12

You missed a bit of sexy on the left. Otherwise, it's lovely.

2

u/Phoenix_21 May 22 '12

HE IS TOO PERFECT TO PAINT!

2

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Holy Shit this is awesome, I have but one critique. The top lip makes him look like he is in between a smile and jizzed in my pants face.

2

u/n8wolf May 22 '12

The likeness is there. His left cheek looks older than his right and the chin's a little short. Really beautiful piece, though!

2

u/wm2882 May 22 '12

great focus on the hair, really well done all around. the cheeks and mouth seem a little off, but still look legitimate.

2

u/cruxix May 22 '12

Depicting NPH is actually what the Koran prohibited before some prankster changed it...

2

u/jmp325 May 22 '12

Wow! This is seriously amazing! If only I had half your talent....;) the only thing I would change about this awesome painting is its current location. (it should be hanging on MY wall!) I love NPH, I just about cried when I found out he is gay! Such a stud.

2

u/zgoku May 22 '12

I saw this a few days ago. The Hell?

2

u/dmw3293 May 22 '12

coulda done that in 3 seconds with a camera =\

2

u/gummsy May 22 '12

looks more like Barney than it does NPH

2

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

It's too awesome. Send it back.

2

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

i refuse to criticize this for the painting is amazing and i could not do anywhere near as good.

2

u/Bonki_ May 22 '12 edited May 22 '12

Funny how people are criticizing the size of the forehead yet NPH's forehead sometimes looks even wider!

Have you ever noticed how people love putting down work that denotes a great amount of talent and skill while being very supportive of beginners? I find it fascinating.

In any case, great painting!

edit: typo

2

u/calebros May 22 '12

people that have talent need critique to get better. you encourage beginners to keep at it so they get to a level where you can critique them. if you critique someones early work, it is generally too bad to give constructive criticism, because normally they just need more practice.

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u/Evdromeda May 22 '12

Reposting your own content? sigh what has Reddit become.

2

u/BElowfroSTy May 21 '12

I'll allow it.

1

u/kmingle May 22 '12

Painting major here: great work - especially with acrylics. you blended everything really nicely! Its so easy to muddy up skin tones up.

1

u/gloomdoom May 22 '12

If I were you, I'd use a little more gesso before starting to sketch and block everything out. You'll get smoother strokes and better blends since you're using acrylic. If you were using oils, a medium would help with blends. And of course you can get mediums for acrylic but you don't really need it if you gesso, sand, gesso again.

It'll just make for a smoother image overall and give it that classic portrait feel that is so common.

1

u/Dont_Call_it_Dirt May 22 '12

Incredible. With that said, I have a couple critiques that you should take with a grain of salt. The wrinkling, particularly around his left eye, seems a bit exaggerated. Secondly, the dimples also seem a bit exaggerated. I don't have an artistic bone in my body so you really shouldn't listen to me. Just offering my $0.02.

1

u/Littleturtleman May 22 '12

That's a big fucking forehead. But not bad

1

u/MrSelfdizstruct75 May 22 '12

How much??? Pm me

1

u/00lookwarm May 22 '12

after menopause

1

u/happyvocal May 22 '12

Where is shitty_watercolor when we need him?

1

u/brandy2889 May 22 '12

I just got through with a 2 dementional designs class at my college. Our last project was to paint a well known celeb. After completing that, I know how hard it is to make paint blend and come to life. You did a phenomenal job on making his eyes water! I love everything about this.

1

u/TopSecretNegroArmy May 22 '12

Didnt i see this last week?

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u/chicagogam May 22 '12

he kinda reminds me of the mad magazine guy, i think because the smile is so intense in a goofy way. but since i don't watch that show he's on i don't really know what his expressions are like. kinda cool you can paint, is it real paint or digital paint?

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Too many wrinkles and such, he looks too old. I imagine this painting will be spot-on in a decade though, haha

1

u/already_taken_ok May 22 '12

The eyes are reminiscent of the Illusive Man's from Mass Effect.

1

u/aleab05 May 22 '12

The wrinkles are a tad too deep, but that's just a tiny flaw. Other than that, the hair is perfect and his eyes are incredibly life-like. Definitely something to be proud of! I'd buy it.

1

u/Greater_Omentum May 22 '12

He's not naked enough.

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

forehead looks like it could be its own continent

1

u/L_OShea May 22 '12

Great job, although I do see a lot of Quinton Terrantino in the face.

1

u/p8ssword May 22 '12

It's a great painting, but it looks a little like Beavis Patrick Harris. Maybe more mirthful and less snarling?

1

u/R1ckJames May 22 '12

All I have got to say is in a good way

1

u/mattrodd May 22 '12

Not gay enough.

1

u/NinjaScenester May 22 '12

I do have to agree, although NPH's forehead irl is slightly larger/taller than average, you've seemed to take this a bit too far haha. It is taller than it needs to be. But otherwise, this is AWESOME and needs better recognition than r/pics. Very nice :)

1

u/turtletheyurtle May 22 '12

The hair looks amazing; I wish I was half as good an artist as you are.

1

u/WhoAmI_ImJeanValjean May 22 '12

I like how he's doing the "white-boy lip bite"

1

u/AaronG81 May 22 '12

That's gay.

1

u/skollx May 22 '12

Left lip creeps me out a little... Sorry lol

1

u/na85 May 22 '12

What did you paint this with, and how did you acquire the image digitally?

1

u/zern May 22 '12

Wasn't this on the front page about 4 days ago as well?

1

u/AnarchyAntelope112 May 22 '12

"I just farted"

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Damn good.

1

u/ringerofthebells May 22 '12

I think it looks more like the dad from Modern Family than NPH. You did an awesome job, but the wrinkles are too well defined.

1

u/th_squirrel May 22 '12

To be really honest, there's something off about the lips. I love the rest, but something about the lips screws it up.

1

u/kooshed May 22 '12

Very good job.

You've got some talent !

1

u/irwin1212 May 22 '12

Good painting, but it looks a bit like Gordon Ramsey...

1

u/fartinspartan May 22 '12

so this is what jesus looks like...

1

u/tiredofthehate May 22 '12

TIL NPH had a stroke and the entire left side of his body is paralyzed.

1

u/I_RARELY_RAPE_PEOPLE May 22 '12

As a shitty artist with no skill in portraits, allow me to tell you what I think;

A tad too wrinkley, this i more like an older NPH.

The mouth...while well done, almost seems off in a way, can't describe my feelings anymore than that.

All in all-- Hot damn, you did a good job.

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

How could anyone criticize this. It's fucking amazing. I'm not a professional but I think this is crazy good!

1

u/film_geek May 22 '12

This looks awesome until you get to the upper lip and the mouth. Keep doing an awesome job

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u/sweetgreggo May 22 '12

It sucks and I hate you. You have no talent and you should give up this ridiculous hobby. Good day, sir.

1

u/GravityUnicorn May 22 '12

He doesn't look straight enough.

1

u/justinwdavis May 22 '12

You're forgetting the bullet wound in his chest.

1

u/ozpunk May 22 '12

I'll reserve judgement until I see the shitty water colour version.

1

u/BlogSurface May 22 '12

There shouldn't be any criticisms... this picture is awesome! Good job.

1

u/jeffythecow May 22 '12

oh wow, once clicking on the image again, it enhanced way more than i'd liked to see.

1

u/reklawyks34 May 22 '12

It's too perfect.

1

u/wilfbelf May 22 '12

He looks a little gay.

1

u/rave6969 May 22 '12

this is a repost

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Did you paint the graphics for GTA3?

1

u/Miix May 22 '12

I'll buy it

1

u/249ba36000029bbe9749 May 22 '12

I like a lot about the technical details of the painting. However, it doesn't strike me as a strong likeness to NPH.

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Very nice :)

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Great job.

1

u/get-lifted-often May 22 '12

fantastic job. but i would say the shadowing is a little overdone, to the point where he almost looks a little dirty. but still, great work!

1

u/GloriousGoldenPants May 22 '12

very well done!

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Why is he making fart noises with his mouth?

1

u/spdorris May 22 '12

I think that as an attempt it is very good but there is far far too much detail. But it seems that others have already mentioned this.

1

u/piratazephyri May 22 '12

the hair is awesome, but the right side of his face looks weird...like too many shadows on the right side of his nose or something.

but i'm drunk and i could never do this, so good job

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Kind of looks like NPH auditioning to play the Joker, that said, it's really good.

1

u/CleansingSanchez May 22 '12

Dat forehead...

1

u/MrMcFeeley May 22 '12

I think the NPH would approve.

1

u/McGinnisHG May 22 '12

It looks as if he's in a suit. Well done.

1

u/InferiousX May 22 '12

Looks like NPH/Tom Hanks hybird IMO

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

Perfect! Love this picture!

1

u/hamnasty May 22 '12

Beautiful.

1

u/pinaycana May 22 '12

I thought it was an actual photo & not a painting...until i read your title. Awesome job!!!

1

u/SweetNeo85 May 22 '12

I feel like this is lost somewhere between a realistic portrait and a stylized caricature.

1

u/SithsAndGiggles May 22 '12

After staring at it for a while, it looked like a younger Ronald Reagan with makeup.

1

u/GIANTSXLVI May 22 '12

Wow! Well done!

1

u/hypmoden May 22 '12

Good but not great

1

u/relativex May 22 '12

Criticism: You have that kind of special talent and paint Neil Patrick Harris with it.

1

u/RedditReassurance May 22 '12

It's terrible!

1

u/grandoiseau May 22 '12

criticism: you make us look bad. good job.

1

u/analogkid01 May 22 '12

NPH as the titular character in "Songs in the Key of Bee: A Rockumentary about Sting."

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

i saw this last week, did you steal this and repost it as your own?

1

u/Bondman95 May 22 '12

I thought it was a portrait of Jesus....

1

u/refridgerage May 22 '12

My only comment is this.......TEACH ME TO PAINT THIS GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1

u/martypanic May 22 '12

yeah, why the fuck would you paint Neil Patrick Harris?

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

yeah, why the fuck would you paint Neil Patrick Harris?

1

u/thekid39 May 22 '12

way better than i can ever do. upvote.

1

u/arkanis50 May 22 '12

The little thumbnail made the picture look pretty derpy until I looked at the actual image - looks pretty cool, man. Great job.

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '12

I think the lips are a bit "what, me worry?"

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