It's been a long time! - Page 2

Kevin Noonan · 09-07-2002, 10:07 PM

Mike

Great solution but would mean losing some parts of the image I like, and at this point I think I can recover it. Something has been bothering me with the overall composition, which is probably why I finished it quickly. Now I have had time to look at it a little more objectively, I have come up with the solution below (only on the PC at this point). Good job - my wife had given up on me and gone to bed or she would have gotten rather worried by the head scratching, chuckling and talking to myself. Feels great to be thinking about these things again.

What do you think? I'm going to bed now and I

Kevin Noonan · 09-07-2002, 10:21 PM

For those who are interested, my logic is outlined below. At this point I think it works now (it's getting late, again!). But would like some feedback.

Steven,

I'll take a hanky with me, just in case. But what happens when you tell them you'll pay them?

Doh! Especially when it's a great big hairy strapping bloke who just happens to look like Zeus!

Steven Sweeney · 09-07-2002, 10:33 PM

Quote:

But what happens when you tell them you'll pay them? Doh! Especially when it's a great big hairy strapping bloke who just happens to look like Zeus!

I'm afraid that's a commission somebody else is going to have to pursue. I'm kind of a traditional bloke.

Steven Sweeney · 09-08-2002, 12:22 AM

"Seriously, though" -- I do have a thought or two about the piece, but I wonder if the administrator or moderator might move this thread to the "Critiques" section, since Kevin is seeking feedback about the work and about how to proceed.

Cynthia Daniel · 09-08-2002, 06:12 AM

Your wish is my command.

Kevin Noonan · 09-08-2002, 08:48 AM

Steven,

Piped me at the post! I was about to see if I could move this thread. Cynthia, many thanks.

When I posted this piece I didn't know what to expect. I posted it into the Unveilings Forum section to ease me into it.

The whole process at the moment is quite a curve. My only goal for this painting was to see if I was still able. I had completed 7-8 drawings prior to this (two of which I have just posted to the drawings Forum). My next pastel has had a little more thought in to the initial design/composition stage. I added a little bit more to the image I posted, especially a lighter area and a softening to the left/top of her head. This helped to pull the eye back up from the bottom of the painting.

I suppose at this point in time, I am trying to establish where my work sits in relation to other works and therefore pricing in relation to my local/regional market. These first steps are quite tentative and hopefully with a little more work my confidence will grow.

Looking forward to your input.

Kevin

Cynthia Daniel · 09-08-2002, 02:32 PM

Kevin,

Any time you want a post moved, it has to be done by me.

Steven Sweeney · 09-08-2002, 10:12 PM

Having instigated the relocation of this thread, I suppose I now ought to tap in a few thoughts about this piece, perhaps somewhat randomly.

Your drawing skill is generally well developed. This 3/4 profile -- often challenging to "see" correctly -- is effectively rendered and convincing. Proportions look pretty good. (In an older model, I might have questioned the relative size of the head, but in a child I accept the proportions.) Even without a reference, I

Chris Saper · 09-08-2002, 10:53 PM

Dear Kevin,

I have enjoyed seeing your portrait of Kirsty, as well as the thought process involved in considering the composition. It's difficult, indeed, to follow Steven's characteristically comprehensive critique, but I'll offer a couple of thoughts.

First, with regard to the composition, even though the hues in the background are varied, their values are not. As a result, the figure is rather unconnected to the background. By altering the values in part of the background, I think the subject could be better integrated with the surroundings, and anchored (as opposed to floating) within the perimeter of the frame.

Second, with regard to marketing, in this case I would probably tend to agree with your wife, and perhaps paint a little lace chemise (or something equally unobtrusive) on Kirsty's torso. She is at an age where she is clearly not a toddler, but also not old enough to be a nude. When you are building your portfolio, I think that the more universal your portraits' appeal, the more easily potential clients can envision their children in a portrait painted by you. Given the value pattern and movement you have considered, if you were to paint in such an article of clothing, it would work best as something light, airy, and in a value and hue quite similar to the skin tones.

Personally I find this to be a lovely piece, and very much look forward to seeing more of your work.

Kindest regards,

Kevin Noonan · 09-09-2002, 06:46 AM

Steven,

Your observations are very greatly appreciated. Especially so since I read from your profile you are an Atelier. This is something I had not been aware of coming from a commercial illustration course at Art College, and not fine art. If you can point me to any resources regarding this it would be appreciated. (I had a look at the profiles of the regular posters). I'm very curious as to the fundamentals and the philosophy of an Atelier. I read about the LARA (London Academy of Representational Art) from this Forum and will be making enquires in the near future.

Unfortunately I didn't make the point of the schematic clear. I'll try to bear this in mind for future postings. In this I was trying to demonstrate how I felt the painting was flowing, and exaggerating perspective. Plus there are no objects in the background in relation to Kristy to correct this view. I am comfortable with perspective ,and studied Technical Illustration at college for two years. We had perspective beaten into us. If I draw the lines exact through the eyes and mouth, as you so rightly state, the drop off isn't as pronounced. Right or wrong, I wanted to show how I "felt" the painting flowed from Kirsty looking out and drawing the eye back round. Because the painting/composition was not thought out from concept I am trying to realize the painting after the event. This was to try and demonstrate what I was trying to achieve (it was late).

The original picture was taken next to a north facing patio door (coincidence). The subsequent printed image had high contrast (esp. in the hair) and I didn