Work in progress

Debra Jones · 02-15-2002, 11:10 AM

This is a rush job for a 93rd birthday bash ON SUNDAY!!! I got the photo at 4:30 last night and worked from 7:30 to midnight.

It is a leftover palette of colors that I just began noodling with and it worked very well for the subject. I used very washy turpsed down colors and it really maybe should have been a watercolor, for the technique. The lean mixture was fear on my part that it would be so wet by the party, it would mar the clothes of the participants.

I have emailed it to the client but think they are technologically challenged and although I was hoping they would help me decide on a background I think I will finish the carnation and maybe just leave it white.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/i...02/93scan1.jpg

Debra Jones · 02-15-2002, 08:20 PM

She sounded like she knew what she wanted, but when she got this, after saying she was happy with the lighter background, thought that if she had it to do over, would have gone for a darker more blue color. I said she could have it but it would be wetter and not done until Saturday. So this is how it left at 3 today!

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/i...002/93done.jpg

It was down and dirty and I am going to redo my whole brochure with an increase in prices. I charged 25% higher than I normally do, and threw in a little frame I picked up in Mexico for $9 for an additional $30. Sure, make it up on the wrapping paper! I am struggling hard to get my self esteem in line with my determination!

Still hoping for comments.

Daniel Arredondo · 02-16-2002, 05:14 PM

Debra,

You are doing a beautiful job. I especially like your flesh tones and your handling of the teeth. Just a few suggestions:

-The hair is too blue, darken it and warm it up with say (Ultramarine, Alizrion, and touch of Orange)

-The glasses are not symmetrical and the highlights high on the glasses I like but I would subdue the ones on the bottom part of the frame.

-I would recommend darkening the following

underside of the hat,
pearls as they go back on the neck
earrings
carnation only lightly
possibly the shoulders where the hat would give some shade

I realize this is from a photo that was most likely with a flash., in such instances I would get creative with some of the above mentioned items.

Good luck on your delivery tomorrow.

Daniel

Debra Jones · 02-16-2002, 10:37 PM

... but this time I did not need luck. I learned a great lesson about getting the deposit in advance: I promised I would have it done and asked for good faith money. It was given. I upheld my end of the bargain and she was cheerily and gratefully eager to write the second check. One must see if the thing will bounce, but I really have no concerns.

I learned a lot from this in tandem with another commission I spent too much time getting, by negotiating and suggesting and taking my own pictures and discounting for more than one piece, I have been in limbo on two works for two weeks, waiting for the check. ALL because I SAID I wanted a deposit, instead of GETTING it. I am writing a letter of committment or contract with a firm price that will go with my brochure the next time I consider or pitch an order. My own math skills will undo me so I need a simple chart and stick to it. Odd sizes and extranea - prices for extra body parts and props - will just go by the wayside until I get my book firm and know what sort of work things like that really entail. Being a new kid, I think, for now, I will only take commissions I feel confident of. I am not a landscape or still life type, so for now, it is just head, clothes and an occasional hand.

Oh, I was thanking you. Sincerely, thanks for your input and your suggestions are things to keep in mind when working with those hot strobed photos.