Darla The second time

ReNae Stueve · 11-13-2005, 11:40 AM

I've made some changes here and darkened the background. This background tone is cool and goes well with the wall this piece will hang on. It's 14x18 oil on linen. The reference photo is a bit faded, and although as mentioned it was no doubt black and white, it was colorized as was the custom back in 1950.

Being one of those personal challenges that I can't let go off , this is my second attempt at this piece. And like the piece I did of "Bill" that you all co-created with me, this one means a great deal. So of course, I would come here where the level of professionalism is unmatched. Thank you for your time.

ReNae Stueve · 11-13-2005, 11:45 AM

I still don't have those sleepy "bedroom eyes" as she used to call them.

Steven Sweeney · 11-13-2005, 03:52 PM

Just a quick drive-by, as I

Steven Sweeney · 11-13-2005, 07:23 PM

This and my earlier post is all with the caveat that this particular portrait is

Steven Sweeney · 11-13-2005, 09:16 PM

One more thing that is signficant (well, I think it is) --

Let the base of the nose just be the base, in shadow. Don't let a lot of light get in there to, say, define the structure around the nostril, and don't let the nostril value be a lot darker than the shadow area. Kind of take the shadow shape under the nose in the posterization on the right (that is, of the reference photo) as a guide. Within that shape is very little effort to pull out lights, and it isn't necessary anyway. Viewers know what the structure of the nose is, and they know about shadows, so their eyes will supply the detail. You don't need to, and in fact by doing so, those elements say "Look at me!", which isn't what you want to have happening in that area.

ReNae Stueve · 11-14-2005, 01:46 PM

Steven,

Yes to everything. You're brilliant. I'm at the office and can't take too much time now, but I will sit tonight and the next several nights and make the changes you have laid out here. The comparison in gray scale is a great tool. It really is telling, isn't it. I set this up using a grid system, but my shapes tend to migrate. Your example also clearly reveals my fear of using the whole value scale. I can't thank you enough for the time you have put into this. I'll post the modifications as soon as they are ready.

Joan Breckwoldt · 11-14-2005, 04:52 PM

Hi ReNae,

I think this is lovely, you have gotten so much wonderful help from Steven, I couldn't begin to add anything to his critique, except for one little thing. Oh, I learned a lot from Steven's critique too!

You might consider toning down the brown part of the scarf. The dark object of the scarf against the pink shirt really jumps out at me. Could you make the entire scarf yellow? Or just neutralize the brown part of the scarf so the contrast between it and it's background (shirt) is not so high.

Just my two cents worth,

Joan

ReNae Stueve · 11-14-2005, 08:52 PM

Steven,

As I mentioned I would only be able to tweak a few things tonight, but after going over and over your notes Steven I couldn't wait to show you just how much better this looks with just TWO of your obsevations rubbed in. I reshaped her hair line on our right and I reshaped her irises. I also pulled the scarf around her neck. I'll post this photo, as poor as it is, so you can see your handy work. This new paint is just blocked in. There is much more to do.

Steven Sweeney · 11-14-2005, 09:17 PM

Headed in the right direction. It's often startling how an accumulation of small things can move a piece off the track, and getting those same small bits reoriented can bring it back. I have many times been ready to sign off on a drawing or painting, but wasn't allowed to, and hours later I'm still improving on it, and grateful that I had to come back to it with fresh eyes.

Try not to think of my suggestions as a list. Perhaps half of them will make the other half unnecessary. Do try to "see" every possible modification in your mind's eye first. Be sure of what you're trying to accomplish, and why, and of what you're going to do to get there. When you've done that much -- STOP -- take a breather, nuke the coffee, kick the dog for chewing on your brush handles, and come back to it after you've had a chance to see how that change worked out, both in itself AND in relation to the rest of the piece.

Try to be bringing the whole piece along at once. Don't rush that. Maybe you're done with one area and don't know it, because you haven't brought another "balancing" area along with it. Try to see it, try to explain to yourself what you're on about, and then go in and do it. Don't keep pushing one area out of uncertainty as to what to do next. That's when paint application gets thin and scratchy, and other misjudgments get made. Move to another area. Keep the whole process organic. Don't fall in love with any one area.

ReNae Stueve · 11-16-2005, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Try to be bringing the whole piece along at once. Don't rush that. Maybe you're done with one area and don't know it, because you haven't brought another "balancing" area along with it. Try to see it, try to explain to yourself what you're on about, and then go in and do it. Don't keep pushing one area out of uncertainty as to what to do next. That's when paint application gets thin and scratchy, and other misjudgments get made. Move to another area. Keep the whole process organic. Don't fall in love with any one area.

Good advice...... It will be Saturday before I can revisit this. In between insanities? Been there AM THERE.

"Don't fall in love with any one area. " .... Very good advice, you've been reading my mind.....

I've been lurking here at SOG since 2001. I've seen more than a few Pro's take precious time to give pointers when asked, only to have well... no response... or no progress reports. Your comments are of great value to me and no, I'm not going to go through them like a task list, but as you suggest, carefully, working this piece as a whole. And I'd love to show you the progress because I know the great satisfaction that comes from teaching and seeing results.

Steven this will be great fun, and since it's not a commission, no pressure.

Type to you soon. Thanks again.