Color study, Sally again

Jean Kelly · 11-17-2002, 01:25 AM

Please critique this pastel study of Sally for composition, (does she look more comfortable?), color, and value. This is in preliminary stages and I would like some guidance before I screw it up irretrievably. This is 19" x 27" on Canson Mi-Tientes, smooth side. Lighting was north at noon, so I figured a warm light with cool shadows. This is my first attempt at serious color work, so I am more timid than normal.

I'm going for an analogous color scheme with violet accents. I did use a photo reference, but likeness is not much of a concern anymore. I've drawn her so much that I've practically memorized her face! I am more interested in bringing her to life. My drawing style is so linear (love lines!) that I know I need help softening her up. Feel free to manipulate the image as needed to demonstrate a point.

Sally's glasses, perched on her head, are a part of her personality and can't be changed. I've only seen her once in seven years without them!

Respectfully,
Jean

Jean Kelly · 11-17-2002, 01:33 AM

This is my first time using green in a face. I'm amazed. Thanks Chris Saper, your book is phenomenal. I hope to do you justice.

Jean

Jean Kelly · 11-17-2002, 07:09 PM

I've taken my pastels and organized them into lights, mediums,and darks to help me with value. Also, I have hidden all the pastels that I'm not using in this color scheme to keep me from using a color that doesn't belong. I'm trying to hear all your voices, and remember all the advice that has been given and use it! After reading Cynthia's post on conduct and ettiquete I began to realize that I'm having a difficult time showing gratitude for the time spent by the many talented artists on this site. Please believe me, your guidance is appreciated and taken to heart even if it appears sometimes that I am not listening. Old habits are hard to break!

Jean

Jean Kelly · 11-17-2002, 07:11 PM

Starting to deepen colors and work on the face.

Jean Kelly · 11-18-2002, 05:29 PM

My apologies for the bad photos yesterday. These are better.

Administrator's Note: Images from yesterday have now been somewhat color corrected.

Nathan Cremer · 11-19-2002, 06:07 PM

I think this is a good piece that has come along in the few steps you have posted. It is obvious that you having a great drawing ability by looking at her facial features. Everything is proportionate and in the right place, which is hard to do. As you stated, your love for the line is obvious.

To comment on the composition, I would say, she doesn't look comfortable. I don't know if I would have used that word, if not for you using it, but it fits. I'm not sure what she's resting on. It appears as though she's struggling to stay up. If you had more room on the left to add more background, I believe that would help.

As for color, right now you've kept it pretty simple. I love how you handled her left side of the face and I think you should try to incorporate that to the other side and throughout the painting.

Her hair and clothing, I believe, are lacking. It is a good start, but they need more attention to form. I do believe that as you spend more time on them, they will start to come alive. Pay really close attention to the values as you're doing both. Doing still life studies at your own home of drapery would be a good way to hone your skills in that area.

For your first attempt at color work, I think you're doing a great job. If you want to incorporate your line drawing abilities, start off the portrait with a line drawing, either in charcoal or pastel. Once you've solved any compositional problems and feel that it stands alone as a line drawing, add huge fields of color and cover up most of your line work and most of the paper, to get used to seeing your subjects as mass of color instead of line. This is hard to do as an artist, to break away from our comfort zone. I have the same problem with my work. But, the more we experiment, the less likely we are to fall in an artistic rut.

Jean Kelly · 11-19-2002, 06:13 PM

I've changed quite a bit in this portrait. Added colors to a face I never thought I would. Freckles and wrinkles are next, along with finishing her hand. I'll also be softening some of the darker shadows on her left side.

Jean

Jean Kelly · 11-19-2002, 06:19 PM

I've added blues, greens and rose to her face. Chris, I tried to see the differences between cold and warm versions of these colors with many moments of panic as I added them to her face. Hopefully, there is very little hint of orange. Sally's getting sick of me grabbing her and dragging her in. Guess I'll have to give her this one!

Jean

Jean Kelly · 11-19-2002, 06:56 PM

Hi, Nathan,

Thank you for the good comments, it's appreciated. I'm charting new territory, so am a little apprehensive.

Sally's leaning on a pillow on the couch, I agree with you and will bring the lighter color down farther on the left side so it looks like she has some support. In a previous drawing of Sally, I tilted her head and twisted her neck, (the kind of thing I did many years ago) and I guess my hand relapsed! In this pose I tried to make her more "comfortable".

I'll continue to work on her clothing as you suggested. Her hair is also unusual, pale silvery white, blonde and brunette, so I'll continue on with it and try to get it "right".

There is no white on her face, (except for a small amount in eyeball). Does outdoor temperature affect digital cameras too? I photographed it outdoors at about 40 degrees. Seems like it is a little bluer in the post than in real life.

Jean

Enzie Shahmiri · 11-20-2002, 11:24 AM

Jean, it