After a week of rain (9.35") I've finally gotten back to this. I managed to srounge up a small piece of deep plum ultrasuede, and I think this will do nicely. The dress has picked up some plum from the floor covering and should also reflect well on her feet. I'll find a nicer rose or two for the floor and just lay them there and forget about pillows.

Is this better Michele? I also photographed it in back and white. I believe when my model is actually in the dress, the composition and balance will work well.

Jean

Very nice. Maybe something plum up higher in the painting would balance things out well too -- maybe a flower in her hair that is the same color as the floor covering? And plum in the halftones and shadows of the figure where appropriate. You wouldn't want a really strong color on the floor that isn't echoed anywhere else in the painting. Let us know how it progresses!

The plum is actually a very dusty soft color. For some reason my camera has always had problems with the violets especially when the color is very subtle. I'll be painting it from life anyway. I'll go looking for flowers tomorrow, and then get the model over here and play with lighting. I've tried to get either of my sons to pose with the dress but no takers.

Jean