Side-lit Open Studio Model

Linda Brandon · 03-06-2006, 07:26 PM

Oil, around 22" x 16". I painted this during Saturday's 3-hour open studio session. I wanted to show everybody here the dramatic underside/side lighting (I wish I could say that I thought of doing the setup like this, but it was somebody else's idea). I'm going to try this at home next. By the way, I cropped this to show how I bring a support to open studio: I thumbtack (sometimes tape down) good quality linen to a fiberboard and if the painting turns out to be okay, I glue it to masonite or stretch it on stretcher bars when its dry.

Alexandra Tyng · 03-06-2006, 07:43 PM

Oooh, Linda, it's gorgeous! I love all the colors you used in her skin. Also, there is such a sense of depth in the shadows, it makes the head truly seem 3-D and come forward from the canvas plane. In only 3 hours--that's mighty impressive.

Chris Saper · 03-06-2006, 08:20 PM

LInda, this is just beautiful! I think your work gets freshier and better every time I see it. How about a close -up?

Also would you post the portrait I saw at the Scottsdale Artists' School last week called "Jamie?"

Linda Brandon · 03-06-2006, 08:36 PM

Thanks Alex! Daniel Gerhartz was in town teaching last week and I think he used this light setup in his workshop class, or at least that's what I was told. I'm usually pretty fast. This model was a real challenge for me for many reasons - unfamiliar lighting, non-Caucasian skin tones, etc. - I really had to concentrate.

Claudemir Bonfim · 03-06-2006, 08:37 PM

That lighting is very challenging.
It is simply beautiful. By the way, I love your "Is it Dusk or Dawn?", I hope to see it in person someday.

Linda Brandon · 03-06-2006, 09:19 PM

Thanks, Claudimir, for that nice comment about that painting - that model was fun to paint also.

Chris - you are being very kind - I am fresh (and fast) because I only spend about twenty seconds taking measurements of a live model. They always move anyway, so I keep things very loose until I decide it's time to tighten up.

Here's a closeup of this one while I go off and look for an image of that other portrait:

Tom Edgerton · 03-06-2006, 09:30 PM

Just found this...I LOVE it. Wonderful, luscious color!

Best--T

Richard Monro · 03-06-2006, 10:34 PM

Wow Linda,
Three hours? I'm impressed. This is beautiful! (i'm also jealous.)

Terri Ficenec · 03-06-2006, 11:11 PM

Oh Linda it's gorgeous! (and so fast.

)

Patricia Joyce · 03-07-2006, 10:08 AM

Juicy, rich, beautiful!!!