My wife
 

In an attempt to build up my portfolio, I have been using easily accesible models: my family. My next subject, although not completely willing, is my wife. I plan to use a 30" wide x 40" high canvas for this one. I took a number of photographs but this one seems to work for me as far as expression and position. I know the background doesn't really fit, but I think I can get her to pose in the same fashion in other areas or make up a different background. What are your general thoughts?

Thanks,
David.

David,

This is, in my opinion, a very nice photo. The darks seem to sculpt her facial features quite well. I think if you could add an object to her right to sort of balance things out compositionally that it would help things. I kinda' like the mantle where it is.

Good Luck!

I am having a hard time finding something to place to the left (her right), besides drapery, that doesn't throw off the composition in the previous photo, while keeping the 'personality' of the portrait intact. I decided to take more pictures. This is one reference photo that I like. I also have closeups of the same pose and position to help with details when natural lighting or my wife is not available. I really wanted to have her standing next to a small table with a floral arrangement, but I am playing with limited time and resources. Which composition is the better of the two?

David

David,

I really like the second one - the colors of the green sweater, green chair and the flowers on the dress are great - and her hands are particularly graceful.

Your lighting is creating what my teacher calls "hatchet face" - it cuts her face completely in half - one side lighted, the other in shadow. One suggestion I would make is to turn the chair almost a quarter turn towards the window, which would put you, behind the camera, with your back against the wall next to the window.

Try for 3/4 lighting on her face, and get the actual window out of the shot. The window frame is fine (add drapery if you wish) - it will give the viewer an explanation for the lighting.

You will, of course, need to crop vertically. I've lightened the right side of her face a bit to show you what you might aim for. Hope you don't mind.

Good luck!

I agree with Cindy's thoughts and suggestions. The second one has a nice and relaxed pose. Just watch out that her elbow doesn't stop too close to the edge of the painting.

Hi David,

Your wife reminds me so much of Alphonse Mucha's Art Nouveau models that I just had to post one of his works.

I would encourage you to really paint something wonderful with her - lots of fabric and an imaginative setting and pose. (Personally, I'm dying to put somebody in a 'Mucha' pose.) Take lots of time setting it up and working out photography problems. It will make you more experienced (and opinionated) when you have clients lining up at your door. You'll have more fun with the painting if you take it a little bit out of the ordinary, and you certainly have the technical skill to carry off anything you can dream up.

I'll admit the crown is a little much. I guess that's all part of being Mucha.

David, she is there, she is still willing to cooperate (unlike my kids and husband...), just do two paintings!
Start both paintings at the same time and see that each of them will help you with the other one! If you don't believe in one of them just throw it away and keep working on one only. You have nothing to loose.
Personally I also think that in the first photo you can loose the background, just put some neutral colour in the same tone as the midtone of the face!
Ilaria

just a thought
 

Hi David,

If the choice is between these photos shown, I prefer the second.

I, however, have a suggestion -

I have been presenting my work through art fairs for three years now. Although I have always had an attractive example of a painting of an adult woman in the booth, it has been disappointing that women are very reticent to have themselves painted. Well, this year I had a new painting of a woman in the booth, but the pose was in profile and looking away (vs. looking at the viewer, which the previous example is doing). I was happily surprised to see more women interested in having themselves done this time, and I am sure that it's because of this not-looking-at-the-viewer example - the women seemed much more attracted to this "less confrontational " pose. I even got 2 adult women commissions this time!

So... since you're primary goal is to build your portfolio, which is of course used to get commissions, your portfolio may be better off by starting over with the photo-taking on this project, and do a pose with the face at three quarter or at profile, with her not looking at the viewer.

And I would agree with Linda B to make it a bit dramatic.
Anyway, just food for thought.

Thanks everyone. On thinking about Illaria's comments about painting two portraits, I may try it if I have the time. Keeping all of your thoughts in mind, here is a pose that I liked, but my wife didn't for some reason. Although I would like to please her, I think I will end up using this 3/4 turn, because I agree with Linda N. that it has more appeal as a portfolio piece. Here is the shot. (I didn't get a chance to remove the floor lamp in Photoshop).

David