A Pastel Friend
 

I really could use some help. This is pastel on canson pearl. I used, you might say, 3 sources. An old photo, life and memory.

My problem is always under the chin. I can never find an attractive pastel color. Well, actually, I just don't know how to do under a chin. Could someone give me a suggestion as to how to render and perhaps a color to use.

She is such a pretty little thing in person. She absolutely loves it the way it is. But, she is not me and I am not satisfied. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks, Geri

P. S. I should have stated the photo is old and in black and white.

Hi,

I think i would work on the outer edges of the hair Geri and maybe put in some background to soften it. I think the blouse could use a more solid look. I hope this helps. Just my suggestions so dont take it to seriously. I like the skin tones and hatching.

Dear Geri;

It is a beautiful portrait. I know how you can make it look a little nicer.

1.) I know some pastelists do not believe in blending or stumbling colors. My philosophy is what really counts is the end result. So I find the hair too distracting with the sharp individual lines, use your finger and blend the outer edges of the hair so it is out of focus. You may want to do the same with the dress. You can always add color over it if you want sharp highlights or whatever.

2.) Since the light seems to becoming from her right side lighten the right side of her neck up to about the middle of her chin so there is little to no shadow on her right side of the neck. Also, you may want to slightly indicate the suprasternal notch.

3.) The white of the eyes on both eyes are the same value, since her right side is closer to the light, lighten the white of the eye on her right eye and on the right side of her pupil. Also make a sharp highlight to the right of the pupil on that same eye to get more convincing light. Do not use white for this, use an off white the color of the light source which seems to be yellow. So use an almost yellowish white for this highlight.

With the above few changes I know you will like the results.

Daniel

Hmmm
 

When I draw, everything turns into an abstract form. It looks real when I get done, because I see the shapes instead using my assumptions about what people look like. That's why you should treat the color underneath the chin as you treat any other part of the portrait. Don't single it out. This maybe have nothing to do with what you were asking, but oh well...

I thoroughly like it, and see your point about the chin. You run the risk of overworking what looks to be a fresh and spontaneous drawing if you mess around with it too much. I would only suggest that if you want to change the chin, you could consider the following: look at her right ear and follow the colors you used from it to the chin. Do you see that the colors halfway to the chin work well. I would suggest continuing the lighter colors used from her right ear halfway to the chin on past the tip of the chin, over the dark reddish color.

What a lovely style, and I can see why the lady loves it!

Thanks everyone for looking and commenting.

I am sorry if I appear to be inattentive, but I was needed elsewhere. My daughter and son just presented me with a granddaughter Sabrinna Elayne on 4-4. It took all week, but we finally met her.

Thank you for being understanding. I will now catch up with my reading and hopefully my concentration will come back to me shortly. I think I am still numb.

Geri