Book cover "Master & Disciple"
 

This is for a cover of a book that my hubby is writing.

It is almost finished. Just a few critical looks to be had over the next week or so.

If there is anything amiss - please say so.

I am thinking of toning down the white of the sadra the Master is wearing, so the eye goes more to his face. What do you think.?

Also, should I glaze back the darker side of his face, so the highlights pop more.?

Thanks for looking. :)

OIL ON CANVAS
52cm x 70cm

Tricia,

I know this is a very personal and important subject to you, and I think you've done a fine job.

I think that highlight on his darker cheek is too bright. The shadow underneath seems like it has such a strong line as well. I would also soften both the hairlines.

I want to see the bookcover when you both are done. :)

Thank you, my friend.

I will look harder.

xx

Tricia, this is looking great!

The thing that pops out at me is the master's shirt where those three folds are so evenly spaced and all the same size.

Are you planning on doing more to the background?

I love the expressions on the faces and the color of the disciple's eyes is riveting. The skin tones are really good!

I don't know about the value of the master's shirt, but it does draw a lot of focus. I'm not sure if it's because it's lighter than his face, or because it's so much lighter than the background. I can't really judge that.

Beautiful, so far. I'm looking forward to seeing the book cover too!

Hi Tricia,

I worked as an art director of a book publishing company for five years back in the early 1980's so this subject really caught my attention. I think you are doing a great job and I agree that care should be taken to make sure that our eye goes to the face. I agree with Kim about the cheek and the hairline. I also think you might want to consider a darker shadow on the neck and more shadow on the face of the man behind. I think it will help to set him back to create more depth.

I was a graphic designer before computers so I am a real novice at Photoshop although I have been practicing. I hope you don't mind but I experimented a bit on this. I just added some shadow on the side of the masters' face and along the hairline and also on his neck. I then added a darker value along the left side of the other mans' face where there might be a shadow from the master.

One of the best things to do before you finalize everything is to print out a copy approximately the size it will be on the bookcover. That way you can see how it will hold up when reduced.

Best of luck to you and your husband!!

Cynthia

Hi Trisha,

There are a couple of things I notice: the master's cheekbone on our left, I think needs an entire value shift where the front of the face turns to become the side of the face. That plane change is not really vertical, it moves forward as it moves down the face.

I also think that you might integrate both figures' hairlines with the skin on the forehead/side of the face.The part in the disciple's hair might use some value shifts in order to make it appear more dimensional.

Trisha, check the drawing on the disciple's head. My impression is that there's not enough skull above the eyes.

Where will the title go?

That's much better now, I think Chris has mentioned everything I would.
Fine job.

Thank you very much. This is wonderful feedback to work from.

Chris, the title will go above & beyond the painting's edge.

Master of....?
 

Tricia, this is such an interesting painting that I must confess some curious ignorance here. I am fascinated to learn what the "Master" is a master of. Is this a Christian "master" as in Christ? You used the word "sadra". Is this a yoga or Hindu master or guru? A master of the guitar? Please quench my curiosity.

I may not sleep tonight should I not soon learn the answer. :?

Sleepless in Sun Lakes,
Carol Norton

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