Portrait for critique

Brian McDaniel · 08-30-2001, 04:19 PM

I am working toward being a full time portrait artist. Seeing the work of the incredible artists here is always inspiring. While this isn't a 'standard' portrait, it has been responsible for me getting a few commissions.

Any thoughts, suggestions? It is 18x24 oil on canvas. It is also, btw, my daughter, the day after her first birthday.

Chris Saper · 09-01-2001, 08:42 PM

Dear Brian,

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on your painting. Let me begin by noting that I think your composition and division of space is strong, and, to my eye very pleasing. You have also made a strong commitment to shadow, which supports your composition well.

My main comments have to do with color and edges, both of which are quite likely connected to using a photographic resource that contains strong lights and darks, and almost no middle values.

Source photos like the ones I suspect you used, are very difficult since it is the nature of film chemistry to compress values at both the very light and very dark ends of the range. Film generally does a poor job of reporting color anywhere but in the middle ranges.

With regard to color:

On my monitor, it looks like the color in the shadows is a darker version of the color in light. I am unable to tell from my monitor whether the light source is cool or warm, but with the strong shadows, you could assume warm, and let your shadows reflect cooler and more grayed down versions of the colors in light.

The background drapery and walls appear to be a cold gray... if you use a complementary gray mixed from other color notes in the piece, the background can be better integrated, color-wise, with the rest of the work.

With regard to edges:

All photos, but especially those similar to your source material give false edge information. For example, as I look at the edges on the drapery, they seem to be as sharp as the edges in your subject. By concentrationg your sharp edges close to your center of interest, or on a path that leads to it, you can better control your viewer's eye. I also think that elemants like the balloon give you a fun opportunity to make edge statements...for expample, the purple balloon looks like it could serve to emphasize a sharp cast shadow against a softer form shadow. The same softness of a form shadow could be used in your daughter's cheek, where shadow meets light.

The only other comment I have is with regard to tangents...the top edge of the collar in shadow and the baseboard forms a tangent, as does the place where your daughter's right hand touches the balloon...the latter results in a little eye-trap. These would be quite simple to fix.

I wish you well, as this little child will be painted, I am sure, countless times, and each will be a joy.

Chris

Brian McDaniel · 09-03-2001, 01:24 AM

Thank you so much for taking the time to look at and critique my work. I have looked at and admired your work quite a bit already.

It doesnt really show up too well here, but the wall had a warmer green tone throughout it, much going into a cooler deeper shadow. I didnt want to 'freeze out' the entire background since the foreground would be so much warmer. I wanted it cooler, just not frozen, so to speak. Although it doesnt really show here, I didnt bring any of that wall color down to the bottom of the painting, something that wouldve wrapped things up a bit nicer.

The balloons all had subtle reflective colors of the balloon nearest it, although that is only apparent on the yellow balloon.

I hadnt thought about softening some of those edges, as you suggest. Great idea!

I didnt notice those little tangents either. Sort of surprises me, since I normally try to spot things like that and move them around a bit so it doesnt happen.

My own personal 'sore spot' with this painting has been the book. I think it wouldve looked much better turned up at more of an angle, facing her and 'boxing' the direction of the light down from the window.

I guess that the more you do this, the more all these subtle little things become obvious and we, hopefully, learn from our mistakes

Thanks again for all your input, it is greatly appreciated. I will have pics back from my latest 2 portraits, my first 2 commissions, very soon. One I considered a rather 'ordinary' portrait (although they were quite happy with it) and the other I was quite pleased with. I will post when I get them.