Sisters double portrait

Cindy Procious · 05-12-2004, 02:20 PM

24" x 30" oil on RealLinen panel

A surprise mother's day gift - finished, thankfully, in time for the client to surprise his wife last Sunday.

I have a lot to learn regarding photographing paintings. I am so disappointed in how the pictures turned out, and now I don't have the opportunity to reshoot the painting with a better camera set up.

Michele Rushworth · 05-12-2004, 10:55 PM

This turned out very nicely. I particularly like the alabaster skin of the younger sister.

Linda Brandon · 05-13-2004, 12:55 AM

Very nice, Cindy! I love the subtle color and value changes in the faces, you've done a terrific job with this. I also like how you've caught the relationship between the two sisters.

How are you photographing your paintings? Maybe one of us here can help you with that.

Jimmie Arroyo · 05-13-2004, 10:42 AM

It looks great. It must look that much better in person if these are bad photos. Is there a way to ask them to shoot it again for your portfolio?

Cindy Procious · 05-13-2004, 11:15 AM

I was given my digital camera for mother's day last year, and I really wish I had known then what to ask for. It's a Kodak Easyshare - and works terrifically for snapping candid photos, but horribly for archiving paintings. I asked for it specifically because of the dock accessory - it's a charging system that connects to the computer so you can download the photos and charge the battery simultaneously. Ironically, the dock no longer works.

I'm afraid there's no help available for me, short of buying a new set-up. I could get a tri-pod to help with the blurring, but I will wait until I can sort through the wealth of information to figure out which camera will suit my needs and budget. (Budget being the biggest factor.)

Anyway - the client is a (cartooning) colleague, so I'm fairly sure that I can get permission to go back and re-shoot. Short of that, hopefully by the time I need to varnish his painting, I will have a quality set-up.

Speaking of varnishing - is it necessary to remove the painting from its frame for the final varnish?

Debra Jones · 05-13-2004, 11:30 AM

You are getting glare. It looks like you did it outside or in natural light, because there is a light bluish cast at the top.

I have recently had a shake up in confidence so I don't feel qualified right now to tell you what to do, but diffuse and indirect are usually the best. The balanced twin lamps with color adjustment are wonderful but not easy to achieve. My first suggestion would be to try to tilt them away from the light source so there is less of that subtle reflection.

It is possible to get really decent snaps from a marginal camera for posting, but now is the time to begin getting your slides ready. That is the real camera stuff. I am amazed how important that is becoming to me.

Oh and they look really really good up close! Elegant solution to your pillows and wall.

dj*

Jeanine Jackson · 05-22-2004, 11:00 AM

Terrific finish. They must be thrilled!

For future, I would recommend using GamVar instead of retouch varnish for conservation reasons pointed out by Marvin Mattelson in another thread last year. Terrific product!

Beautiful painting!

Cindy Procious · 05-23-2004, 11:58 AM

Thank you, again, Jeanine. Your praise is much appreciated.

I'm using Copal Retouch - I'm unfamiliar with the thread you're citing. I use the retouch as an isolating varnish during the painting process. I haven't varnished the painting (nor have I ever varnished ANY painting, yet) - but I will experiment with my own pieces before I make the appt. to varnish this piece.

I'll look into the GamVar, and thanks.