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Amanda Grosjean · 08-18-2008, 11:40 AM

I had no idea sailing was such a violent sport. Glad to hear all of your digits are still intact.

I can't help but think back to the second grade when the teachers began to drill me with the question," Why is your head floating, where is the background?"
I think that that piece of advice has stuck with me. Of course, as you grow as an artist, you learn that it can work with the right technique.
I wouldn't say that the items were randomly placed but the quick move to soothe her child (I had touched her barney that was sitting next to me, apparently, a big no-no) initiated such a lovely pose that the elements in the background changed as I scrambled to move my camera. But the principles of keeping that diagonal composition with the counterbalance of the lamp was intentional, if perhaps it wasn't the best items to use. I suppose they are a little strange considering the height of the table but artists often use things that frankly, make no sense. Why would there be big swooping drapes behind a figure, ever? Anyway, how often would you really see two 3/4 length figures seated with nothing behind them? I tried taking it out through Photoshop and it just looked unnatural to me. And if that second grade teacher had a problem with floating heads, floating bodies was an even bigger crime. I do appreciate the idea of keeping it simple.

Well, I think I am going to stop talking about it and just paint it. I have an extra large pre-made canvas that I am going to work on so I can crop it to whatever way I please in the end. Perhaps the problems will work themselves out once I am working with it.

Thanks for all the comments everyone, they were much appreciated.

08-18-2008, 11:40 AM	#19
Amanda Grosjean Juried Member Joined: Mar 2008 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 59	I had no idea sailing was such a violent sport. Glad to hear all of your digits are still intact. I can't help but think back to the second grade when the teachers began to drill me with the question," Why is your head floating, where is the background?" I think that that piece of advice has stuck with me. Of course, as you grow as an artist, you learn that it can work with the right technique. I wouldn't say that the items were randomly placed but the quick move to soothe her child (I had touched her barney that was sitting next to me, apparently, a big no-no) initiated such a lovely pose that the elements in the background changed as I scrambled to move my camera. But the principles of keeping that diagonal composition with the counterbalance of the lamp was intentional, if perhaps it wasn't the best items to use. I suppose they are a little strange considering the height of the table but artists often use things that frankly, make no sense. Why would there be big swooping drapes behind a figure, ever? Anyway, how often would you really see two 3/4 length figures seated with nothing behind them? I tried taking it out through Photoshop and it just looked unnatural to me. And if that second grade teacher had a problem with floating heads, floating bodies was an even bigger crime. I do appreciate the idea of keeping it simple. Well, I think I am going to stop talking about it and just paint it. I have an extra large pre-made canvas that I am going to work on so I can crop it to whatever way I please in the end. Perhaps the problems will work themselves out once I am working with it. Thanks for all the comments everyone, they were much appreciated.