Figurative

[Mary Cupp]

I've been pretty quiet lately. The reason is that I have been working on mostly landscapes. I took a wonderful landscape workshop last summer with Alexandra, and it has inspired me greatly. But it has taken me away from the portrait subjects. None the less, I have done a couple of figures this fall. Here is one of them.

[Terri Ficenec]

Hi Mary

First let me say that there is a lot to like about this painting! The way you've handled the sunshine on her skin and the bouquet - the sense of movement and purpose and the warmth of the day-- kudos!

A couple of quick thoughts:
- I'd like to see her eyes a little more - that area seems a little too low in contrast... but maybe that's just me - I like eyes!
- Not sure about the lighting on her lower cheek (our left)... since her lips are shading her chin, I'm reading the sun as fairly overhead & to our right and it seems like that plane would be more in shadow? Is it reflected light from the flowers maybe? maybe brighter than it should be?
- On the ground below her arm at our right, not sure what the green flower-like circle is there or if you need it. . .?

Love how you've handled the sun on her hair!

[Mary Cupp]

HI Terry,

Thanks for your comments. I have been mulling over your suggestions and am not sure yet what I am going to do about them. You definitely have pointed out some areas where I have had difficulty. Hmmm? Should I try to get this one perfect or go on to the next painting?

One problem I have is that if I am having trouble with an area (such as the eyes) I will compulsively redo it until the surface is destroyed and I can't go any further. When I repeatedly scrape paint the surface becomes so slick and without tooth that I can no longer work. I was getting to that point when I decided to just put the eyes in shadow (which also helps keep from revealing the identity of the woman as this is more a genre painting than a portrait) Maybe I should make the shadow deeper so this intent is more obvious.

The warm glow on the (our) left cheek is just a warm reflection from the flowers and surroundings, but it does tend to pop out too much (the jump is less pronounced in the original painting than the photo).

As for the flower like shape in the lower corner, that is a remnant of an object in the reference photo. I can just as soon take it out and I probably will.

I am wondering if other people are having as much trouble as I am getting paint to dry in this cold winter weather. I am trying to conserve heating bills so I only heat the studio when I am in it. But if I want paintings to get surface dry before continuing them, I have to wait weeks. It is getting frustrating.

[Natalie Hunsaker]

Mary--don't touch the eyes (in my humble opinion)! It reminds me a little of this painting by David Leffel. I actually love the mood created by non-detailed shadows. I say, move on to the next painting! I love your brushwork.