Andr

[Denise Racine]

Hello again! I wonder why no one is posting these days? ...Makes me feel like I'm "hogging" the site! Oh well, your help is too precious, I'm going for it anyway!

Here is my latest - just finished today unless someone has any suggestions?

Thanks!

[John Zeissig]

Hi Denise,

The painting looks great, I think, but before going any farther, I believe there might be something wrong with the reproduction. How did you photo/scan this? the shadow under her jawline looks as though it is completely lost to a reflection from the surface of the paint. Likewise, the shadows on the whole left (her left) side, both arm and torso, has the same value as the background, which kind of washes out the whole right-center of the painting. It looks as if the source used to light the painting when you photographed it is being reflected from the surface, especially where you may have glazed in the shadows, nullifying the contrast on her left side. At the top and bottom of the painting the values look better. That may be the way you painted it, but I don't think so.

[Denise Racine]

Thanks John for pointing that out. I do have trouble getting good pictures without glare. maybe I should check out the technical section for a solution? Or, maybe you have advice? Anyway, here is a better (I hope) picture of Andr

[Mari DeRuntz]

Hi Denise,

First of all, don

[Denise Racine]

Thanks for the encouragement Mari.

When I got back from Peggy's workshop, I must admit I was a bit skeptical. But, after spending so much money, I was determined to give it a try. This painting was done completely applying what I learned in that workshop regarding a good silhouette, lit & shadow...etc. Now, I can honestly say that the class helped improve my painting techniques. (Thanks Peggy)

The painting was started from life with a photo session & a charcoal sketch (about 4 hours). Later I finished it with slides.

You are right about that glare...I just don't know how to avoid it.

I looked at the beautiful portraits on your site. Good work!

[John Zeissig]

Denise,

I gotta run, I'll try to give some comments on the "real" painting soon. The second photo is much better, but lots of glare on the shadow side of her head. The best way to photo these is to place the light source at as high an angle as possible above the painting. Look at how they do it in galleries or museums. That way the reflected glare is all down toward the floor, not straight back out towards your eye or camera.

[Michele Rushworth]

I also get lots of glare when I photograph certain paintings. (Of course, you should never use a flash with oil paintings. That will fill the center of your image with glare for sure!)

One other trick I've tried is to place the painting in an area with only dull indirect light, even a little on the dim side will do. You might try a hall away from windows, for example.

Set up the camera on a tripod because you'll need a long exposure. Use the self timer setting on your camera so that you avoid camera shake from actually pressing the shutter button at the time the lens is opened.

This usually works fine for me. There is sometimes a trade off with graininess because of the dim light but it usually eliminates glare in the final photograph.

Hope this helps!

[Denise Hall]

Denise,

From another Denise who also studied with Peggy Baumgaertner this summer - I see the apparent glow of the skin!

This is a beautifully done painting and I also love the painting of your husband that you also posted. I understand what you are doing as well, since I am striving to paint with Peggy's palette and applying what I observed and learned.

I also have trouble photographing without a glare and have one partially finished painting I may post for a critique that has a glare very similar to yours, so don't feel bad. I thought I just put too much light into the shadow!! heheeh

I am getting ready to paint an embroidered shirt from a photo I posted in the photo critique section. Mari recommended that I look at this painting of yours to see how you "treated" the embroidered dress. How lovely - I am so impressed and can't wait to paint the shirt now! You have inspired me.

Hard work pays off. You deserve much congratulations.

Sincerely,

[Denise Racine]

I think I've finally got it! I took this picture in a room with a small window. I put the digital a tripod and used the self-timer. I also used, for the first time, an interesting option. The camera takes three pictures at three different exposure levels.

Thanks for all the help and photography advice! Now, if I could only figure out how to delete all the pictures I've posted!

[Denise Racine]

Now it looks too dark!

Maybe this is the wrong section for this discussion?