Francesca, a new attempt

Leslie Bohoss · 12-01-2003, 07:44 AM

Hi!

I started with the little girl from Italy, again.

Alla prima, 9.44" X 11.8" (24 x 30 cm) 5 hrs.
I find more better than the prior version. Any idea for better hairs?

Thanks for comments!

Leslie Bohoss · 12-01-2003, 07:48 AM

And the ref. picture:

Leslie Ficcaglia · 12-01-2003, 09:16 AM

Leslie, what an adorable little girl and what a lovely reference to work from! You've made a good start. Here are a few suggestions:

I would look at the shape of her chin, which you have skewed somewhat to our left so it's no longer as symmetrical as your reference, and also at the shape of her mouth, which should be a bit wider and turns up more at the corners. The upper lids of her eyes curve upward a little more in the resource photo, too.

I would also soften the shadows so they're not so pronounced, and use more pink and less yellow in the flesh tones. Of course, that could be an artifact of the lighting in the photo you've taken. You've got the texture of the hair very nicely but have it too even at the bottom, so it looks a bit artificial. The lengths aren't as equal, nor is it as thick, as you've shown it.

And if you'll notice, the teeth aren't quite as bright in the reference as you've shown them although you did a good job of shaping them and having them recede in the mouth at the corners. Their whiteness in the relatively dark face makes them stand out a bit too much.

I'll be interested in seeing how you progress with this. She's the sort of child I love to paint, also. Have fun!

Another Leslie

John Zeissig · 12-02-2003, 09:06 PM

Hi Leslie,

It's good to see that you're continuing to work on the painting of this appealing little girl. I've done a few digital manipulations on your painting to see if they might help. You asked specifically about the hair, and I think you've done a fairly good job of depicting the general structure of the hair. I've altered your painting by gradually blurring and softening the outlines of the hair as they border on the background. If you keep the outer margins very soft it will help to direct the viewers attention to the parts of the face that you wish to emphasize.

I've also lightened and softened the cheek margins as shown by the red arrows. This helps fill out her face. I thought the cheeks looked a little bit concave compared to the photo. I also lightened the area at the tip of the nose, as shown by the third red arrow. I think Leslie's comments were very good. I have a few other suggestions, but I'm a little pushed for time right now.

Cheers

John

Leslie Bohoss · 12-03-2003, 02:30 AM

Hi,

Thank you for your helps, Leslie, John.

I'm a BIT nervous while thinking about changing somewhat.I know it must be, but I'm hesitant.Ok, I tried some changes: (the bright spot left side is an "accident" with dark color, will correct after drying, I can not explain it..)

Upps, done before John's comment, many thanx again for your works!

Cheers.

Leslie Ficcaglia · 12-03-2003, 09:06 AM

The chin and teeth are much closer to your reference, now, Leslie. Nice job. I still think the eyes need to arch higher in your painting; the upper lids are too straight. Also take a look at the shape of the face on our right side; I think the cheek is too narrow and the line between the cheek and the hair is too dark. You need some lost edges there and fuller cheeks. Try turning both the painting and the reference photo upside down and some of these things may pop out at you better with that fresh point of view. That trick helps me a lot.

Keep posting your progress!

Leslie Bohoss · 12-09-2003, 01:30 PM

Hi!

I tried to use your tips (eyelid is better now).
Many thanks!! I'm sure there is a mass of error, but I must stop it and on Monday send to Parma, it is a gift and I don't know how long the post needs.(it dries now)
I learned a bit to see with your profi-eyes, it is interesting how tiny details you see and take account of it. Thank you again, I'll post my next project too. After more than one year, I hope I'm on the right way.
Respectful,
Leslie
PS: I would use the PC to looking for errors, but I thinking this is not really good for "eye-schooling", right or false??

Leslie Ficcaglia · 12-09-2003, 03:16 PM

Much closer, Leslie. And whatever helps you make good comparisons between your painting and your reference material is also going to help train your eye for those subtle details and point out where you need to make changes. So I don't think it creates problems for "eye-schooling!" The more practice, the less you'll need that aid I suspect.