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10-12-2006, 01:19 AM
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#1
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Juried Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 6
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Posthumous Portrait
I have been asked to do a posthumous portrait and the reference available is kind of limited. I have been provided with several snapshots of varying quality and I am not sure which one(s) to use for the portrait or how best to go about it.
An added difficulty is that in the years before her death the subject was taking a medication which made her appear somewhat bloated. You will be able to see the difference in the attached photos.
So, does anybody have any advice for me on the subject?
Larger versions of the photos are available if you'd like.
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10-12-2006, 01:21 AM
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#2
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Juried Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 6
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More photos
More of the photos available for the project.
Thank you,
Vin
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10-12-2006, 04:31 AM
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#3
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Juried Member Finalist, Int'l Salon 2006
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: Singapore
Posts: 324
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Hello Vincent,
I've recently completed a posthumous portrait for a major client in Singapore, and i must applaud your courage to undertake a challenging portrait such as this.
Like you, i was given very few photo resources - and one video cd of the subject. All the photos were only good enough to get a visual of how this person looked, but none of them had the right feel and pose for the painting work.
Through the video CD I managed to capture one image frame which was just what I was looking for. The trouble was it was only a shoulder length image!
So with the image, and the other reference photos given i had to communicate constantly with my client, and even did an actual size charcoal draft to present the complete idea to them . That got their approval and the rest is history.
My point to drive home with you is that with all these photographs that you have, it's important to talk to them and have them decide which one best represents their collective memory of the subject.
Even when you don't have the complete image you need, build one with a charcoal / oil study with their consultation. Once they're happy with that study, you naturally have their approval to go ahead with the final image. Hope this is helpful information to you.
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10-12-2006, 12:07 PM
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#4
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Juried Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Location: London,UK
Posts: 640
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Vincent, for me, with these photos, it is virtually impossible to paint anything .
I suggest that you go looking for more pictures, maybe they have some where she does not smile that they have overlooked.
I am afraid this is the kind of commission that you would regret accepting and you should consider turning down.
Ilaria
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10-12-2006, 10:33 PM
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#5
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Associate Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Location: Montesano, Washington
Posts: 236
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Vincent, another possibility is to get someone with her coloring, age, etc to pose for a properly lit photo session and use those photos along with the ones you already have. Maybe she has sister or cousin who could do this for you.
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10-13-2006, 03:43 PM
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#6
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Juried Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 6
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Response so far
Unfortunately, turning the job down is not an option. It's not a commission but a gift to a relative's business. Which also means that it will be hung in a public place.
The "client", I suspect, would be happy with most anything but my sense of professionalism and my awareness that it will be publicly displayed make me want to make the piece as exceptional as I can make it even with the poor reference.
It is also, for reasons that I won't bother you with, unlikely that I will be able to obtain more photos but I will continue to try. There are no relatives of similar form and stature to help pose but I might be able to find someone here who is close enough to do so or at least help with parts. I may be left with Marcus' suggestion of doing a value study to see if I can work out some of the issues. Between the various options given here and my own memory of the deceased I may be able to come up with something. Hopefully some better photos will surface though.
Thank you all for your advice so far. Please keep it coming. I can use all the suggestions I can get.
Vin
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10-13-2006, 04:14 PM
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#7
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Approved Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,730
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Your reference is not good. Having this in a public place will not help your career, it will hurt it.
You would be better off getting it painted on the site that is advertised on the Art Renewal website page. They will paint from these photographs and it is only $250.
If this is a friend, this would be a gift that harms you. If this is a relative tell them you cannot in all good conscience do a good job of this but you know someone who will and reasonably.
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10-17-2006, 09:07 PM
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#8
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UNVEILINGS MODERATOR Juried Member
Joined: May 2005
Location: Narberth, PA
Posts: 2,485
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Vincent, I tend to agree with Sharon--at least, that is what I would do. When I was young and starving, I agreed to do a couple of portraits from poor references, and I cringe whenever I think of them. You may be out some money if you refuse, but it will only be temporary.
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10-19-2006, 03:38 PM
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#9
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SENIOR MODERATOR SOG Member FT Professional, Author '03 Finalist, PSofATL '02 Finalist, PSofATL '02 1st Place, WCSPA '01 Honors, WCSPA Featured in Artists Mag.
Joined: Jun 2001
Location: Arizona
Posts: 2,481
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Vincent,
I agree with Sharon and Alex. Before you give up, though, I think you should plan to go to your client's home and have all the famiily albums available for you to seek out good reference. That means that the woman's children's albums shouldl be available to you too.
If you cannot get better photos I would advise you to pass. Good luck.
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10-29-2006, 03:22 AM
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#10
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Juried Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 6
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Thank you for your further comments and advice.
I have informed the "client" that I will need better reference if I am going to be able to do the project. They are currently attempting to obtain more photos.
I do intend to try to do some value studies using the reference I have to see if I can work anything out. But this way I am under no obligation to show them anything if the results don't meet my standards.
Thanks,
Vin Ragozzine
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