Jean,

The third one is the charm. Although the second is cute snapshot, it will not give you any visual variety to use - the top one's lighitng is very nice, but the expression won't work.

So go no farther, and let us know how the demo goes!

Jean:

What is really appealing to me about the original snapshot of Noah from a year ago is the soft and diffused lighting that works so well with a young child's face. The hues of the skin tones are where they should be; fresh clean unadulterated colors. I would choose this photo of all you presented.

The potential problems I see with the new batch are partly lighting issues. They are all back-lit, compromising his cute face in an obscure dull shadow. A couple of them have strong raking sunlight in a direction that does not particularly flatter his face. To paint this, you will be a slave to the photographic color, and not the clean natural skin tones of a year ago. I would strongly recommend reshooting him on an overcast day, or when the daylight is diffused like your first shot.

Of the poses in your three new shots, I like the last one best by the water, because it is the most stable pose. If he were to sit for you this is the kind of pose he could hold the best. Even though you are working from a photograph, I think this priority still holds true. He will look better hanging on a wall in a pose he could truly hold for a sitting.

See if you can get more pictures. It will be good practice, and he seems a willing model. You will have an easier time with the demo portrait too.

Good luck!

I will go along with Chris, that the third one is the best.

Have a good demo!

Chris and Garth, thank you both for your comments. We have brilliant sunshine here today, and 55 degrees. A beautiful day to be out. I'll check my other photos (like I said, there are many good ones). And if necessary I'll take more, he didn't mind! I think on what you said Garth, but I do love the one that Chris likes too, and it would be a hit in this area, highlighting our beautiful lakes (casual chic). I'll be back in later, hubby wants the computer!

Jean

Hi Jean,

Follow ups are always hard to do. It looks as if boy is "acting". This can be very hard to deal with.

I had reservations to the elder shot of him for the reasons that I told. But at a second thought I would now stick to that same photo, because it seem to be the easy one, compared to the others. And it has a paintable lighting.

If you consider, and if possible, change the background to an easier one, it will save you some trouble, when sitting at the show.

Plus two other things, make the hands smaller and turn the hat a bit.
No problem when you know how to do it on a computer.

I don

Hi Allan, I don't know how to manipulate photos on the computer and don't want to take the time to learn. I prefer to borrow " body parts" from family members and friends! I love that first photo of Noah for all the reasons that have been noted, but am going ahead with the one in front of the water. I won't have to guess on anything, and it will appeal to a wide range of people here in Madison.

Garth, I also love the skin tones in the first photo, and I could borrow one of my grandsons for the distorted areas and new hat placement. So it could work, but I'm not very good at the subtle variances yet. Your portrait of Tom Livesey is wonderful, technique and subject in perfect harmony. I'm just not that good yet. And I don't want to try to paint in front of people and learn a new technique too!

I think I need to add a little more head room and an inch or two to the left side of the canvas, I'm also going to tone the bright red shirt down a little. I converted it to greyscale and it doesn't look bad!

Allan, I'm going back to your thread about pitfalls in photo references, and will print it out and tape it to my easel. I will do my best to give Noah some life and energy.

Jean

Hi Jean,

Why not ask for help from somebody on this site, I am sure that someone will help to replace your background, if you have another, maybe even water.

And about the over sized hands, they should be easy to reduce, I mean for a proooooo.

I really think that there are so many good qualities in that first attempt that you should stick to it.

Allan

Allan, you made me laugh! Maybe I should just start a poll, basketball or cowboy? I'm not worried about the background in the first photo, that can easily be replaced or modified. I can also go back there and photograph the same area without all the distractions. As Chris says, it is a typical Wisconsin neighborhood.

Chris, I respect your opinion, what do you think? That hat is fixable, the hands and basketball are fixable and the lighting is the best (a happy accident).

Jean

Jean,

I can only tell you what I would do - and that's the cowboy hat. When you learn how to use Photoshop, you can always go back in and experiment with the basketball picture.

I have always found that people respond well to the kind of lighting drama with the cowboy hat image, and as I said, this kid has beautiful hair, and I would take the opportunity to showcase it. And I don't know how you would "fix" the baseball cap.

Thank you Chris. :sunnysmil

Basketball Noah...
Well I figured out that I would have to decrease his hands and the basketball by 32% for it to be right. I would also want to fix his jacket (the left side is turned back) and add the rest of the jacket to the bottom of the painting. His hands are too close to the bottom edge. Then, turn the hat and guess what his hair would do. Now to the background, I can't put him by water cause people just look different when they are close to water. So either a plain background, or soft neighborhood behind.

Cowboy Noah...
Paint it like it is. No changes, No additions, or guessing. The show is in a old historic building right on Lake Monona, 20 feet from the entrance is water. Madison is built on an isthmus, and surrounded by a total of five lakes. Water just seems right. I will soften the deep shadows.

I love the light and his expression in the basketball photo, but for a demo, I think I'm safer with the cowboy. Since I love that version also and will have fun painting it, I think that's the one I'll go with.

Thank you everyone, your input was really helpful.

Jean