Is this too much?
 

I've wanted to photograph this young man for a while, so finally got him to sit still for a while today. Are these too much for portraiture. He's a bodybuilder and very proud of his body.

Jean

Something screwed up, here's the second image.

Here's another one I like.

Jean,

I think we should defer this one to Jimmie with those tattoo's!

I personally think that the third pose is the only one that would be considered a "body builder" since he isn't "pumped up" in the other ones.

This just might be the posted image, but it looks like you might be losing some detail in those highlight and shadow areas, you can adjust that though. How about the background?

No Way, I want those tatoos for myself. We decided not to have him all pumped up for this one. Maybe if I photograph him again.

Disregard the background, I will put a background in like the other young man I just painted, high energy but in the background. I wasn't prepared for this shoot, because he just stopped in for a few minutes. I had to nail him down for this, he only gave me 12 shots as it is before he got bored.

Maybe it would be more fun to paint him with bulging veins and cuts; I like the third one too. I'll talk to him about it. Is this over the edge though?

Jean

Wow, Jean.

The third is the painting! You have a compelling composition and a great light/shadow pattern. Regarding the background, I think it's perfect. I mean perfect. The shapes will add interest and context. I know you will paint a really wonderful painting. Just watch for tangents along the way.

PS You want to talk tattoos- I got mine in New Berlin Wisconsin in 1968:)

PS I'd like to paint this guy myself!

OK, that's a tease... let's hear the details!

Jean, sorry I didn't mean Jimmie should paint this, but help you pick your reference - don't you dare give it away!

With much affection ...I refer to these works as "the pool boy"! ;)

I was planning on getting a tat on my 50th birthday but chickened out. That's my big tattoo story, now lets hear yours, Chris!

The third one it is, but are you sure about the background? I mean that plant is dying and that awful portrait of my husband that I did a million years ago. I'll think on it and see how I feel in the morning. If everything were really toned down it might be okay and I could perform CPR on the plant.


Beth, this did remind me of your "Painter". Is he part of a "pool boy" series?? :sunnysmil

Well, this will be fun. I love the arm tattoo.

Jean

I agree with Chris - paint that third one!

If she meant the background as it is is perfect, then I disagree on that. Just a simple plain background...maybe a real dark color and that's it.

Chris - you got your tattoo the year I was born! I got mine 18 years later..... mine is a paint palette with brushes through the thumb-hole (and its tiny and hidden) - so fess up about yours...?

Hey Jean, I heard Beth mention my name. This is my input regarding the tattoos. First, hats off to the artists who worked on his right arm.

His tattoos are several sittings, hours upon hours of work. He looks way too young to have a faded tattoo on his chest. It'll fight with the newer one, and give it the appearance of a jailhouse or kitchen job. I think it'll help with the proud feeling by bringing it back to life. It may also signify an important part of his life, so I guess you should ask him if you could take the liberty of 'fixing' it for him.

There's just something about the expression not fitting in for me. It's just a personal thing, the smirk does'nt feel right with the pose. Then again, I don't like smiles. A more serious expression would give it a different feel. A more serious theme should bring a change of the background tho. Maybe that's what you're looking for, a more playful appearance. If so, I'll be quiet.

If you're looking for a young (ok, I'm slightly older), cute (ok, I'm not that either) tattooed (that I am!) model,...............................just kidding. I do plan on getting more work done within the next two weeks, chest and ribs, only if I can take the pain.

Chris, let's see yours!

Jimmie - I wish I had known you when I got my tattoo. The bottom of the brushes poking through the thumb-hole do not match up to the top of the brushes. The guy drew them crooked.

Yeah Jimmie, we all know you could be the original "pool boy"! :thumbsup:

I am not sure of the background either, but Chris knows her stuff Jean. I am afraid the plant would mess with the tattoo, too much going on. But then I like the smirk too, adds a bit of that body building arrogance.

Thanks for the input, Jimmie. I've attached an image of that older tattoo. This guy is almost thirty, and it may have been his first act of rebellion. Since then his bodyart has gotten more sophisticated. He's working on a new one for his back, somewhere in the range of $2,000-$3,000. I wish I could send him out there, I bet you could give him a great one! I'll talk to him about the older tattoo, and again thank you. I never would have thought of this.

His smirk is exactly the way he portrays himself, in this pose I asked him to just be himself, he crossed his arms, looked straight at me and "smirked". I've known this guy since he was twelve years old, he still calls me Mom. I could easily change it though.

Jimmie, I'd paint you in a heartbeat! How about a trade?

Kim, I'm still on the fence with the background and probably will be for a while. But I can see what Chris is talking about, like the background in Garth Herrick's "Jane and Iona". I don't know if I can pull it off though.

Jean

Maybe I can be the tie breaker regarding the background: I'd paint it as simply and plainly as possible. This dude is the star.

Thanks Michele,

I'll keep everything rattling around in my head. I won't be starting it for a while anyway. He is the star, you're absolutely right.

Chris, he's moving to Phoenix, maybe you will get to paint him after all!

Jean

Ah well, I actually do like the background as is - sans the staircase. You can paint the plant as if it were living. A simple dark background would also be an excellent option.

How do you know I didn't get mine the year I was born?

Chris,

This guy is a manly man, and I think the plant is too girly for him. I see what you mean about the shapes in the background though. I think I can find a more masculine background with the same shapes, brick or weathered wood, tone it way down and have it work quite nicely. Instead of the awful painting, a boarded up window, etc. I'll keep my eyes open for his perfect background. Do a sketch and even "color studies"!

Jean

I met with my model last night and we've decided to put an old brick wall behind him, like you might see in an old gym. So I'm on a brick wall search, something scruffy with crumbling grout! Not red, but grey to brown, he's all excited. I'll keep some of the shapes in the background and the plant may turn into a heavy bag. All will just be suggested and muted in color so he can remain the star.

Or I'll take the chair out and let him lean on the wall without adding anything but the brick in the background.

Jean

Dear Chris, you may well have! I have thought of tatooing my children, but my husband nixed the idea. ;) You mentioned 1968, which is the year I was born - just noting that blessed year.

Jean,

No bricks. I did a lot of men's fashion illustration and I found the best stuff I did was with plain and simple backgrounds with dramatic lighting.

Make that tattoo part of the design now that you have an idea of what they look like. Do some thumbnails of what you visualize the ideal result would be.

All it needs is dramatic lighting, the tattoo, those jeans and his attitude. Look at some men's fashion magazines like GQ for ideas.

I agree with Sharon about using a plain background. On this portrait, less is more.

Okay, I hear you. "Jux" will be the star of this portrait. Thumbnails will be comming soon!

Thank you for the advice. I will take it. :sunnysmil I'm apprehensive about my abilities to paint a convincing tattoo. This should be an interesting experience.

Jean

I decided to do a quick value study tonight and got a little carried away. Unfortunately it was too small for me to get much detail in his face and I screwed up his nose. But, at least I know that a dark background is the way to go.

Jean

Oh Jean, this'll be interesting to watch --- are you going to post your work in process? Those tatoos look like fun!

Sure, I'll post it. Then you can all watch me tear my hair out!

Jean

Very cool, am waiting impatiently for the finish.

Don't hold your breath, Jimmie, I've got another project to work on while I'm doing this. I'm painting a 10 year old girl who has panic attacks. The photoshoot was cancelled twice already, we're trying for sometime this week. She's not afraid of being photographed or me, just germs and being sick. How sad to be so young and already afraid of the world.

Jean

Nice value study, Jean. I find the light corners distracting though, so I'd continue the dark background all the way out to the edges if it were me.

Oh Michele, I'm sorry. :oops:

I keep forgetting that no one can read my mind. I was having fun with his body and tattoo. It was obvious to me that the dark background was the way to go once I started adding it. I got bored and quit before I took it all the way to the edges. My bad!

Jean