Portrait of Heather

Mike Dodson · 07-04-2003, 01:31 PM

This is an oil portrait, 30" x 24", oil on linen of my daughter Heather. The photo of the painting shows the dress much more blue than the original. This was my first time to try the Claessen's 13 SP linen and I must say what a pleasant experience it was.

Your thoughts are much appreciated.

Mike Dodson · 07-04-2003, 01:33 PM

detail...

Mike Dodson · 07-04-2003, 01:37 PM

In the painting I wanted to remove some of the "dominant" red reflective tones on the flesh.

Steven Sweeney · 08-02-2003, 02:54 PM

Hi Mike,

I

Kimberly Dow · 08-04-2003, 01:26 AM

Mike,

I told you in the other thread that I love this painting. I do have a couple things I have just seen that bother me a tiny bit. In the reference photo she has a clear jaw line, even though that last curl seems to blend into it. In your close-up the shadow under that curl that meets the jaw and neck is not as strong, so in the painting the jawline does not seem as well-defined. It kinda makes her look like she has a weak jaw line which makes her look different to me. The only other thing is the sequins, those are the first thing I notice striaght away. Maybe tone them down?

Kimberly Dow · 08-04-2003, 01:30 AM

In the close-up the nostril on our right in the shadow is too low I believe.

Mike Dodson · 08-04-2003, 09:47 AM

Steven,

First of all, thanks so much for your time spent on this painting and yes, by all means, the editing example performed with Photoshop was of great assistance to me in understanding your critique.

I'll certainly modify the background with a toned down version of the red walls but I still want to keep it as close to the reference as possible without it becoming a distraction. The photo of the painting of the walls, as is the case with the dress, is more intense than the actual paintin but still distracting to the viewer.

Great points concerning the reflection in the mirror. I think my edges in the reflection weren't as lost as they should be because I was exerting so much energy in keeping the structural areas straight and parallel. This is an area I certainly need to spend more time, maybe some still life studies would help. Your points on the hair are well taken and appear quite obvious now
that you have pointed it out.

I will certainly be revising this painting and will post the modifications. Again, your critique has been most helpful.

Kimberly,

Thanks for the reply. The soft edge on the side of her face was painted that way to show that particular area as receding and to maintain the "roundness" (for lack of a better word) that a face needs to have in order to keep it from looking too flat. I don't have the painting in front of me currently but will observe this area again and will re-check the nostril location against the reference photo later this evening.

Dan Saunders · 08-04-2003, 01:16 PM

Hi Mike,

This is a truly beautiful painting. I agree with the corrections Steve has done except for the color of the piano as it relates to the wall.

I feel these are too similar (in color and hue). Perhaps darken and adjust the hue of the piano more. That way it won't appear to be a "part" of the wall as it looks now in Steve's correction.

I can't wait to see your next post.

Dan