Loretta, from life

[Dianne Gardner]

Thank you for your critique Sharon.
I don't know why I made her neck so long. I have since corrected it.

I have worked many years with charcoal and usually get my proportions correct. This is the first time I've done the entire painting from life. I used a different method than what I am used to. I started in sepia and white with a value painting and then glazed and built the colors from there. Its the first time I've ever done that too and used instructions that I've read about but have never seen it done in person.

I usually paint alla prima.

Thank you for the suggestion on that book. I'll try and find a copy of it.

Here is a corrected version of the painting after I shortened the neck. Is it better?
Dianne

[Sharon Knettell]

Dianne,

Your neck and head proportions are much better.

Was this a group session or your own model?

It would be better to have had more simplified lighting so you would have a stronger light and dark pattern on your head. The disparate sources of light create a busy pattern destroying the form, it should be much simpler.

[Michele Rushworth]

I agree with Sharon, one light source (and windows are a light source) will make your life so much easier and result in a more three dimensional painting.

[Dianne Gardner]

Thanks for the additional critique Sharon and Michele.

It was done as a group session.

Yes lighting is a problem as my studio has a very large skylight. The sun passes so quickly over the skylight that it makes it difficult to grab the shadows. Therefore I began using a lamp. But we still get that sun from the skylight.

So do you think I should forgo the daylight lamp on the model and just depend on the skylight?

Thank you.
Dianne

[Marcus Lim]

Hi Dianne,
On top of Sharon and Michele's advice, you may like to look at the issue on perspectives. The way i see this portrait is a slight forward hunch by the model. As a result, certain features of her head and body are subjected to perspective. I hope it makes sense to you.

[Dianne Gardner]

Thank you Marcus for the observation on perspective and for your help. You are absolutely right.

However, I took the photograph after I painted the painting. The model was not hunched over but rather sitting quite erect when were were working. I only used the photo for some detail work on her face. It is not a reference photo.

I do appreciate your help.

Dianne

[Marcus Lim]

Oh i'm really sorry...i didn't know that was the case.