Scottlynn the ballerina
 

I would love to see what you all think of this photo. I will start the painting this week.

Molly

Oops
 

I messed up. Here is the full color photo.

Golly Molly, you do breathtaking photography, in addition to your paintings! She's perfect! Is this the final crop? I would only say, consider that a frame may crop a quarter an inch on all sides, and allow for that. Perhaps digitally place a virtual frame around her to see if you want to tweak the crop. I do like the cropping by the way.

I'm jealous, wishing I could paint her too. I can't wait to see what you do with this.

You've mastered a perfect tonality with your photographic references so that they are quite paintable. The color is perfect too. I hope to learn from you more about this processing of yours. In the mean time I'll just study these.

What a great beginning. You're inspired, I can tell.

Garth

I loved it, she is so Cute!

Garth. I definitly will allow for more space around the figure. I cut it down here in the photo just so that I could get more of her in it for the critique.

I am going to be painting on a 30" x 20 " canvas. I took these photos three months ago, but haven't yet got a chance to start the painting. I am doing this painting for myself for a promo piece if it ends up good. I am so excited to start! Maybe I will start right this second.

It seems to me that Garth and I are posting together.
I can make the words mine too.

I'd recommend you to soften the glow on the lace, the lighting there is stronger than on her face. Well, that's just my opinion and of course I might be mistaken.

Thanks, that is a good point. If the satin ribbon is too strong than it will detract. Right now the ribbon and the arms gracefully lead you up to her face. I don't want to create two focal points.

Go for it Molly. She'll make you famous! It's a compelling image and pose. (Hint: enter this at the PSOA competition this year).

Garth

Hi Molly, this is a lovely, lovely photo and I know you will do a sensitive painting with it (and Garth is right, it's a competition winner for sure). At some point somebody will compare her stance to the famous Degas ballerina bronzes, but if I were you I wouldn't let this bother me in the least.

Please tell us how you lit this photo. Did you use a strobe light?

Dear Molly, I'm with Linda. Tell us more about your photo studio techniques and equiptment!

Which digital camera?

What color space and settings?

Any insights on these fine digital black-and-white conversions?

What sort of strobes and softboxes?

If shooting in RAW mode, then what is your favorite processing software?

We all have so much to learn.

Thanks for any insights,

Garth