Primary Colors

Clive Fullagar · 02-19-2005, 06:30 PM

Haven't posted something for a while. This is a portrait I have just completed of a friend's daughter. It is going to be a High School Graduation present. I have always wanted to paint a portrait that predominantly consists of the primary colors. The compositional challenge was to present these colors in a way that one did not dominate and none detracted from the portrait. The portrait is oil on canvas and measures 24" x 20."

My apologies for the quality of the digitial image - it really does not do justice to the original. One of thes days I am going to spoil myself and get a really good camera (any suggestions?).

Chris Saper · 02-19-2005, 07:00 PM

Clive,

Wonderful job!

Using primary colors in a painting is one of the most difficult things to pull off, and you have done so beautifully, keeping their relative saturations under control.

I very much like the whole design, and how you have been so judicious in both negative and positive shapes.

Clive Fullagar · 02-19-2005, 07:17 PM

Chris,

Thank you for the compliments. I think you really nailed it when you said that balance is in negative space. Initially the wall in this painting was very dominant. It was only after adding the shadow behind the figure that the balance started getting to where I wanted it to be. Too dark a shadow would have destroyed the composition, so toning down the shadow reduced the dominance of the yellow without upsetting the composition. That shadow becomes pivotal in the overall balance of the painting. Shadows often become the neglected spaces in paintings - but I love them. I far prefer painting shadows to highlights.

Thanks again.

Richard Monro · 02-19-2005, 07:58 PM

Clive,

Nicely done. That shadow behind the figure is a rela nice touch. It produces a diagonal that naturally draws the eye down to the figure. I might have dulled the intensity of orange in the sofa (behind and to the right of the figure) as it seems to want to pull my attention away from the sitter. Other than that it is a lovely piece of work.

Clive Fullagar · 02-19-2005, 08:33 PM

Richard,

You are right. I wonder though if it is the intensity of the orange or the definition of the floral pattern in that area of the chair? I will work on both and see if I can't "mute" that area. Thanks for your feedback.

Elizabeth Schott · 02-19-2005, 10:50 PM

Clive she is a beautiful young lady. You have courage! Did you find yourself changing your composition or color intensity as you went along?