Gillian - The Painting
 

I realize this painting is actually a new topic from the Gillian Study, which was posted earlier and contains the reference photo and small value study. Here is the 48" x 30" oil on linen underpainting.

I primed with rabbit skin glue, then two coats of Gamblin oil ground before applying a raw umber wash.

I think her eyes are set too low here. Any other observations before I add paint will be most appreciated.

Thanks so much Jeanine for allowing us to see this from the beginning. Marvin talked about value arrangement in a post I did and looks like I'll be able to get a sample of that in your work here. I think this looks like it will be something that will be cherished by her heirs for a long time, and I admire your ambition for such a large work.

Please post often as you progress.

Jeanine,

I viewed the photo reference after viewing your underpainting and here are my observations:

Check the anatomy of her arms. The right arm seems to need to be more foreshortened than it is. Also, seems a bit too large at the top in proportion to her upper torso. Her torso seems a bit too wide as well. Easy to fix, right?

Her left arm also seems not quite right as far as measurement from the top of her shoulder to her elbow. Too short.

I think the reference photo is a wonderful pose.

Please realize that I am just trying to help with this observation. I would hate for you to get totally finished and realize the anatomy is slightly off! I can work for a week on a painting and not see something as simple as this for myself either! It takes some distance and time to see small mistakes.

Good luck on a beautiful painting!

Face detail
 

My progress report.

Phase 3
 

I must finish this by next week. Any comments are most appreciated.

Hi Jeanine,

I noticed the area below the blinds on the wall is off. It starts being rather thick, by the lady's left arm, and gets very narrow as it comes towards the viewer. Take another look at her left arm as well. It needs a slight adjustment, where the arm meets the railing on the wall.

I have to run, but if you need me to be more specific let me know.

Surface quality
 

Hi, Jeanine,

With a little more paint, this one is going to have that elusive

Jeanine,

I'm glad that you posted an update, as I was getting curious about how this was coming along.

I really like her skin tones and the detail of her face. You have her looking vibrant. After viewing your reference photo I agree with Enzie about her hand on the rail and with Mari about some of the surface still looking thin, but since you're still working on this, I'm sure you're aware of this. And you seem to be working out the comments made by Denise.

One thing that I might add is to be careful with the brightness of the blinds on the wall. To me they seem to be competing with the subject. The area behind her head and torso is looking very good, especially on her right side, which really accents the flow of her head and body against the background.

Triple Treat!
 

Enzie: The tapered area you refer to is actually a shelf formed by the wall with the window receding with respect to the rail. I'll check to see if there is a better way to express this. I will check her left arm as I go back into the flesh tones.

Mari: OK. I will not stop! This is a case where what I like to call "Alla Prima Dopo" will come into play! Thank you for the wonderful reference photo with similar colors.

Dale: I think Enzie was referring to the subject's left arm, but you are correct, the right still needs some work when I go back into the flesh tones.

The plan: In addition to addressing your comments, I plan to add some brown to railing and stairs, a glaze of gold to her top (if the test on small study works!) and darker gold with a tad more detail to skirt and shoes beneath.

Thank you all for the encouragement I needed to proceed!

Gillian Phase 4
 

Here is my progress report. Any comments before I finish this one?

The plan:

Add soft golden color and some detail to satin blouse. Widen shoulder straps.

Soften some of her features on face and neck.

Finish hair.

Darken shadow on arm where it meets railing.

Finish hands.

Questions for the Forum:

Would you add an amethyst bracelet to her left wrist?

Gillian 4 Detail
 

Detail of Phase 4.

Edges
 

Jeanine, she is coming to life! You

Jeanine,

Nice job on this painting. I agree with Mari about the hair, it seems well done to me at this point. I might try and create some slight seperation (thin shadowed area) between the blouse strap and the skin as it comes from the top of the shoulder on our right (on both sides of this strap). You might also create a slight elevation of the blouse strap from the surface of the shoulder. It appears the the strap is paper thin, which seems inconsistent with the rich texture that you have created elsewhere. Best of luck.

Jeanine, her satin blouse is so beautiful, absolutely the best I've seen. I'm not very well trained in portraits, but this is something in my opinion, a knockout!

Signed!
 

Today I signed "Gillian Pierce."

Thank you all so much for helping me through this one, the longest I've ever spent on one painting!

Detail
 

I tried to maintain the looseness in hair, soften edges on neck, and maintain what I believe everyone liked about the blouse, while adding real paint. (Previously, the underpainting wash was all that was there.)

Jeanine,

I just logged on after quite a long absence from the Forum and wanted just to comment that I think you did a wonderful job on your Gillian portrait and loved how you showed your progress.

I have a question to you and anyone else who wishes to post. I assume that most of these images are with digital camera? I posted my sample of my oil some time ago and have wished to post more. I take photos of mine and I hate to admit it, but I forget to go take photos of it in progress -- plus, I have to fill a roll of film before I have it developed, then scan it in the PC, resize it, on and on.

I am not complaining but I just wanted to know how all of you are so quick at the draw?

I will be posting soon, as the painting is nearly finished of my 9/11 firefighter.

Thanks and again your portrait is lovely.

Patt

Jeanine,

Congratulations, the painting has turned out very well. I also appreciate that you have shown the step by step process. It is always wonderful to see how others approach their work.

I am not an underpainter, but it appears to me that your underpainting was too dark, and confused the progress of this painting rather than aided it. You arrived near the finish with the light airy atmosphere, but started out in a dark and gloomy one. Along the way, it appears that the values of the skin tones became disconnected from the surrounding, a plan that is risky. There still seems to be a bit of distance between the skin tone values and the values of the environment. But it is really coming along now.

Complete!
 

I believe this is finished. Thank you all for following me along.

Corrections have been made to hands, and several other more minor areas. The highlight on her right arm is from glare. My apology for being so "quick-draw" with my digital. I could not wait for her to dry before sharing with you!

Jeanine,

My congratulations on a very ambitious and accomplished work.