Gymnast post for Jennifer Geary - Page 2

Enzie Shahmiri · 10-17-2002, 01:41 PM

Jennifer, might it be possible for you to ask for more photos of the girl? Maybe by familiarizing yourself through quick sketches from other photos (even in other poses) you can become more familiar with the characteristics of her face and the subtle nuiances that made her who she was.

How sad to know that such an energetic young girl has lost her life. I wish you the best of luck this is truly a challenging commission!

Michael Fournier · 10-18-2002, 07:31 PM

Well, it is obvious that the person wants a portrait that relates to this girl being a gymnast. Now how about doing a montage?

Use this or a similar action picture as a minor element, and then another image for the likeness. Since she is not available to pose at all ask for other photographs, preferably professionally taken that you might use even if she is not in her gymnastics uniform. For an example of what I am referring to, see Dick Bobnick's site and some of the sports figures he has done portraits of.

Link to his site at SOG http://www.portraitartist.com/bobnick/bobnick.htm

It is always a challenge to do a portrait from photos alone and the posthumous portrait is perhaps the hardest. Getting the best photos you can is key to successfully pulling it off. I would not commit to doing the painting until you had all the reference you need to feel comfortable that you can complete the painting to a standard you will be happy to put your name on. Not just now but in the future. You do not want to look back on it and regret it is still around as a example of your work. Remember it is not your client's name that will go on this painting for eternity it is yours and once you deliver it, it is out there as a example of your work for the rest of your life and beyond. So yes, take the commission, but insist on getting more reference and if they really want the best painting from you they should give you what you need to make that possible.

Jennifer Geary · 10-18-2002, 07:59 PM

With all the replies I have received on this picture, I think I have come up with a good idea as to what I am going to do. I will ask the mother if I can go through her photos of her daughter, especially a good face shot, and add them around the gymnast figure. I have done montages before, and they were successful, I think. I will certainly take your advice, Sharon, and trace the sucker! I know this is going to be hard for me, but I have to try. If I can get the proportions right (as far as the foreshortening), then I will figure out a way to trace this to the size I need. I have an overhead projector at work, I wonder if that will do?

Again, thanks for everyone's input! I have learned immensely from this and all your comments as well! You guys are great!

Michael Fournier · 10-18-2002, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Some tips. The Photoshop thingy does look like she is leaping into her mother's arms. I will be pilloried for this advice, but here goes! TRACE IT!!

Not at all Sharon, although I may sound anti-photo I am all for doing whatever it takes to complete a commission be it for a portrait or a illustration. Although It may sound hypocritical of me I feel that when it comes to work and making a living sometimes you must do what you must do to get the job done. Even the great Norman Rockwell used these tools There was a lucidagraph in his studio in Stockbridge.

Sharon Knettell · 10-18-2002, 08:49 PM

Jennifer, I think Michael's suggestion is excellent. I have done montages in illustration before and they can be very beautiful.

Use the tracing paper to get an accurate drawing, use a photo close to the size you need. I sometimes get blowups as big as the painting I'm working on. It almost eliminates the need for a cranky model. Go to a place that reproduces drawings for architects or a Photostat place. They should be able to do a black and white copy exactly the size you need. They are fairly cheap. Get a couple of different sizes to play around with. You can get them on transparent vellum as well.

Do not use an overhead projector unless it us sharp, sometimes they can distort. I have the best camera Lucida ever made; unfortunately it is out of production. It projects your copy accurately 4x up and reduces 4x. It is good up to about 30" x 40". I plan to sell it on this site soon. It is fabulous for fine graphite rendering. It is however 92" x 40" with its own curtain. Too bad you live too far away to take advantage of it.

Ebonies are very good also, but do try the Berol Turquoises. Also blow up Grace's picture to the size you are rendering (if possible). It is almost as if the person is there and you will get a more accurate reference point, especially if you place them side to side.

Sincerely,