Cris, wip

Lacey Lewis · 08-18-2005, 12:21 PM

Hello,

This is a work-in-progress of a beautiful young lady named Cris. I am still a beginer with pastels and don't have a very large inventory, and of course don't have just the right color! But, I am doing my best to make it work for me.

I would like to end up with a vignette. There's still a bit more hair to be included, especially some over part of the unfinished neck area, but I am wondering if I should put in just a couple strokes to indicate a shirt or not.

Any and all help welcome!

Patricia Joyce · 08-18-2005, 12:26 PM

Lacey,
This is turning out really well. Very strong piece. I like the attitude!! Keep going!
Pat

Julie Deane · 08-18-2005, 02:19 PM

Very nice, Lacey! I can only imagine what you will do with a full palette!

How about a hint of shoulder on her right (our left)? I'm thinking just a line might be enough - just enought to give our brains something to fill in missing information. I don't recommend showing the other shoulder - the one that's lifted up. Glad you didn't include it.

Have you considered softening the line of her cheek a little to help it recede?

Lacey Lewis · 08-18-2005, 02:41 PM

Thanks Pat and Julie!

I will do a little experimenting in photoshop with the arm. I know her shoulders are at too much of an angle to really include them both, but I haven't thought about how it would look to hint at only one! Sounds like it might be a good idea.

Good point on the cheek, too (the far one, right?). I'll put that on my list.

Molly Sherrick Phifer · 08-18-2005, 04:31 PM

This is beautiful, Lacey!

I also like your idea of a couple of strokes to suggest a shirt. I am always amazed at how well that works in pastel. It looks so cool in a vignette.

I'm really looking forward to watching your progress on this!

Marcus Lim · 08-18-2005, 11:15 PM

I can say it twice, but i can't express enough how wonderfully done this piece is!

Lacey Lewis · 08-18-2005, 11:28 PM

Wow, I am seriously taken aback by the compliments this work is getting!

I've decided just to add an indication of a black shirt. I'll be back soon with an update, possibly the final version.

Lacey Lewis · 08-19-2005, 01:08 AM

Here it is! Now that it's on the computer I see that I need to soften the throat area. And, I may have ruined it with the signature, but it isn't moving because it is Wallis!

Critiques still accepted.

Brenda Ellis · 08-19-2005, 06:38 AM

Lacey,
This is very good! You handled the skin tones superbly.
Well done.
I would still consider drawing out the west shoulder just a tad more to give a bit of difference to the overall shape of the vignette.
Good work!

Molly Sherrick Phifer · 08-19-2005, 08:34 AM

This turned out wonderfully, Lacey. Aren't pastels fun? No waiting to dry, etc. Is this a commission, or portfolio piece?

By the way, you can get anything off Wallis paper. I think your signature looks fine, but if you want to remove or move it, you can lift it with a kneaded eraser and brush. You can even use water or some solvents. The paper can really take a beating. Some time, take a scrap of the Wallis and play with it. You can literally run it under a hose (but please don't do that with this piece!!!), and it's as good as new.

Wonderful work!