Katie, from life - Page 3

Michele Rushworth · 02-24-2003, 01:02 PM

The eyes are definitely looking at the same place now, though I would double check the shape of each eye. Changing the direction of the gaze always changes the shapes of the upper and lower eyelids.

I would watch the very saturated greens you have in the lower areas of skin and tone them down a bit.

Looks like a completely different painting than what you started with. I'll bet you find it easier not to have to invent clothing you never saw on her! I would soften the upper edge of the tube top considerably though.

Nice progress!

Karin Wells · 02-24-2003, 05:49 PM

Maybe it is just my monitor but the entire painting is very "hot." I suggest that if what I am seeing is correct, you might want to cool down the background a bit in order to push it back and complement the skin tones.

Other than this, it's lookin' good, Beth!

Peter Jochems · 02-24-2003, 06:00 PM

Hi Beth,

The eyes were still bothering me. In this version I moved the left pupil a fraction to the left, and the right pupil a fraction to the right.

Greetings,
Peter

Elizabeth Schott · 02-24-2003, 06:41 PM

Thanks Michele, Karin, and Peter,

We had a snow day today so I tried to get in touch with Katie to come over and sit, but she must be sledding.

I hit myself for not remembering the rule on the "eye ball" that you pointed out Michele. I think that is what could be bothering you, Peter. In one of my reference photos she is looking straight on, so I have been working from that today. But as Karin pointed out, I missed the opportunity to down play this whole "eye" thing by changing her pose. Her eyes just do weird things and I am afraid to play with them much more than what I have done today. I'll try to post it in the a.m.

She is starting to look like the lady that was married to Donald Trump - a little too fancy! Maybe she can tell people it was her, 10 years from now!

I am toning it all down, Karin, especially those hot lips and the purple hair shadows. I'll work on that background too! (The dress has just been blocked in.)

Michele Rushworth · 02-24-2003, 08:28 PM

If you want the face to be as attractive as possible, you might want to concentrate a bit more on the symmetry of things here and there, especially the lower part of her face.

There's a fine line between going too far, towards overt flattery (and losing the likeness in the process) and being starkly honest about how our subjects look, imperfections and all.

It is, of course, a totally subjective decision, and one for you to make with each painting. Studies have shown, though, that we perceive a face as more attractive (and therefore ascribe all kinds of positive characteristics like kindness, intelligence, etc.) to faces that are more symmetrical.

Elizabeth Schott · 02-24-2003, 09:03 PM

Thanks for the wisdom Michele.

I think I was able to get a good enough shot with out too much wet glare to go ahead and post the progress on the eyes. I also toned down the lips and background.

Elizabeth Schott · 02-24-2003, 09:04 PM

It helps when you attach the image.

Elizabeth Schott · 02-24-2003, 09:05 PM

The image is a bit on the yellow side, sorry.

Here are just the eyes.

Elizabeth Schott · 02-24-2003, 09:09 PM

Here is a composite of some of the reference photos shot while sitting. This might help give a hint of likeness.

Michele Rushworth · 02-24-2003, 09:19 PM

Nicer color!

A small thing: the lipstick seems to be running well beyond where her lip would end, at the lower left corner of her mouth.

The biggest thing I see now is that the eyes (especially the one on our left) seem too wide open, giving her a deer-in-the-headlights kind of look. On a relaxed face the upper eyelid would cover more of the top part of the iris. We wouldn't be able to see the iris curve in as much at the top as we do now. (I know, I know, eyes are very hard to paint!)