Mother and Child - opinions please.?

Tricia Migdoll · 07-01-2005, 04:37 AM

I am contemplating this image for my next painting. This photo of my friend was taken in my home one late afternoon.

I am posting :
-the original photo
- my First crop
- my Second crop.
and please excuse my amateur PS skills.

I have cropped to fit my canvas of 52 x 70cm

Feedback of course, is most needed and most welcome.

Michele Rushworth · 07-01-2005, 10:43 AM

I think people's reactions to a painting made from this photo will be determined by the subject matter and will not have anything to do with how well it's painted. I don't know how people would respond in Australia but in the United States there would be some strong opinions. It's a politically charged subject, ironically, stirring up a lot of emotions about what is really just a natural and beautiful behavior. There are some very controversial laws here about whether nursing should be permitted in public places, for example.

Is this to be a gallery painting or a commissioned portrait? If this is intended for a gallery you might want to ask gallery owners in your area how they feel their clientelle would respond.

Chris Saper · 07-01-2005, 10:57 AM

Hi Trisha,

I think this will make a beautiful painting. Regarding the composition, I think I would try to see about including the mother's complete arm and complete hand, so that their shapes return the eye to the focal point.Then paint a continuation of the mom's dress to cover the baby's legs and diaper.

I also like the color harmony you're looking at, and agree that the arm of the chair presents a tangent with the top of the baby's head, and needs to disappear, as you have shown in the bottom image, or be moved.

Kindest regards,

Tricia Migdoll · 07-01-2005, 05:37 PM

Thank you.

Michelle, this will be a gallery painting.
There are no such strong opinions in Australia. If there are, they are few and mostly silent. I guess that is why they call Australia "The Lucky Country."

Thanks Chris. Someone else suggested putting a blanket over the babies diaper & legs. this would not be too difficult, but I am not confident to paint hands that I cannot see. I understand your reasoning about the arm leading the eye though, so this is important to consider.

I will try again.

Chris Saper · 07-01-2005, 06:01 PM

Quote:

but I am not confident to paint hands that I cannot see.

Nor am I! You'd need to get some moe photos of the mom's hands, or stand-in hands.

Tricia Migdoll · 07-01-2005, 08:00 PM

You're right - Thanks Chris.

Tricia Migdoll · 07-01-2005, 09:02 PM

And this.?

Elizabeth Schott · 07-01-2005, 11:51 PM

Biki,

I sent you two composite ideas via email. I didn't know you had this here.

Let me know if you want me to post them!

Beth

Kimberly Dow · 07-02-2005, 02:15 AM

I don't know Michele, I can't imagine very many folks being offended by this as a painting. Classical nudes are well accepted in most galleries, how could this be worse? I can not imagine anyone thinking this as anything other than beautiful.

In the end, worrying about other folks hang-ups or insecurities would cause us as artists to just tie our hands.

I look forward to seeing it Tricia.

Richard Monro · 07-02-2005, 11:48 AM

I'm with Kim on this one. I think it will make a stunning painting and the last posted image was on the mark from a compositional standpoint. Go for it.