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Originally Posted by Sharon Knettell
One of the most important aspects of portrait design is incorporating and deciding on the attire. . . . Look at your model, visualize how she would be best painted, colors etc.. Have her bring over other dresses. If nothing works go to a second hand or designer consignment shop and get her something more elegant and suitable.
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Sharon,
Thank you for your thoughtful response. I liked the combination of the black and white dress with the red rose, but there is a problem as I see now, it distracts from the subjects face. I guess I forgot this is a portrait of a girl, not a dress and a rose.
So if the dress, etc. is distracting, that would mean to me to have her in a simpler dress. Probably the white is not the best color since it's the only white thing on the canvas. One big white mass.
There is a great resale shop around the corner from us but, here's the problem, I wouldn't know what to get her. I'm at a loss here. Maybe a simple black dress. She may have one, I'll ask her to bring one.
I suppose I could keep her dress simple, and no rose, and using a chair could be an additional element. I'm not trying to add things, maybe just her standing there will be best. But she needs something to do with her hands. I thought she did anyway.
Oh, Sharon, do you think her dress looks like a prom dress? I agree, I want to stay away from that look. She's only 19 so I was going to stay away from too 'elegant', but maybe that would work. She usually runs around in RL polo shirts, she's very preppy. I suppose that doesn't matter though since it's for my portfolio and I'm not really trying to capture her.
I will continue to look for good examples on websites for portraits of a young woman.
Thank you,
Joan