Ted

Debra Jones · 01-26-2002, 10:59 PM

I guess a number of us are finding our way over from another forum online. I hope this will be a good place to get new input.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/i...2002/sgted.JPG

This is my last studio portrait. I am embarking on a serious career in Portraiture so I very much appreciate the input of the pros. He is 18x20, oil.

Thanks for your opinions and encouragment...ok, I will even appreciate scathing reviews!

Stanka Kordic · 01-27-2002, 10:05 AM

Wow, very nice dramatic portrait! The only thing I would suggest is to bring out his face more with stronger, meatier color, perhaps using a wider brush. You have that wonderful loose stroke that can be quite effective here. Also, dab a tiny, brighter highlight in the glint of his eye nearest the light source. (Don't make the highlights the same in both eyes.) Right now, my eye goes to his shirt, and I would prefer that to be the second reading.

Debra Jones · 01-27-2002, 01:34 PM

Here is a detail. Your site seems to load much darker than I am used to. Because the light source is low, I did make the eye in the light brighter and a bit smaller and central.
The skin tones are full of colors but I agree, not very colorful. Points well taken.
Thank you for your comment!

Steven Sweeney · 01-27-2002, 10:11 PM

A wonderfully interesting character, painted masterfully with an equally wonderful moodiness and mystery about him, owing to the unusual lighting source (both direction and intensity). In somewhat paradoxical contrast, the shadow areas in the shirt fabric are beautifully luminous.

The one thing I'd mention just in passing, most notable after you posted the close-up, is the quite substantial difference in relative size of the ears. Maybe there's an explanation for that, but you might want to have a second look at it.

Very accomplished.

Steven

Debra Jones · 01-28-2002, 02:05 PM

It has been in the back of my mind all along. I have had other critiques and they seem irritated by the ear in the light being do sharp. The dark ear is an oversight. I was seriously thinking of contrasting a golden earring coming from the shadow and did not finish the lobe! I noticed it once and see it at very inopportune times.

This is a model from an open studio I attend regularly. He is a notorious fidgeter but having the luck of his eyes focused on my easel, as he sank and straightened, my only adjustment was the slight perspective shifts as he tilted up and down.

This was from a 3 hour sitting alla prima and, although I snapped a ditital of him at the end of the pose, I feel almost jinxed if I do much alteration without the model.

When I get braver, I will post a few of my small (because I have not gotten any large) commissions. Thanks for all your input.

Debra Jones · 01-28-2002, 02:07 PM

as you see I am not good at the details.

Marta Prime · 01-29-2002, 09:04 PM

Ted? Somehow the name of the painting doesn't seem to fit in with the picture! Methinks the ear got cut off in a bit of swordplay, mateys! Maybe bluebeard or something!

This painting is fabulous! My kind of eccentric clothing (see clothing subject in the cafe)! You are very talented to do this from a live model in such a short time. Even in Helen Van Wyk's video's her portrait "sketches" were not so cleverly detailed!

Don't be afraid of a photograph to adjust the painting if that's what you want. Some of us paint mostly from photos, and less from life by choice. Actually, in your case, you paint from life so well, the photos can be used just as a tool for doing some finishing work. Used in conjuction, painting from life and using photos, can be a winning combination. I think there was a recent article in Artist's Magazine about this subject by Scott Burdick.

Anyway, I'd just like to say...Well Done!!

Chris Saper · 01-29-2002, 10:41 PM

Dear Debra,

When I saw your lovely work I was absolutely delighted. I have painted Ted many, many times, (always in the red head scarf!) and never in a more interesting, or a more flattering light (literally and figuratively). I know that I have several portraits of him somewhere and if I can dig them out I will post them for fun.

I think you have done a wonderful job with the painterly aspects of this piece as well as with the color temperature balance. It was a pleasure to see this painting.

As we must be neighbors, I will send you a separate email, perhaps we can get together for coffee.

Kindest regards, Chris

Debra Jones · 01-29-2002, 11:08 PM

Chris, I am laughing, because if you know Ted, YOU KNOW TED!

I go to the open studio at the Scottsdale Artist's School Monday night, portrait and Wednesday night short figure, as well as a second portrait starting at 4 Saturday and a long figure post at 9. Practice makes... well it makes me tired, that is for sure. Since you are a big timer, have I missed your seminars there?
Thanks for noticing. It is a REAL complement having the model recognized!

Marta, what wonderful words!!
It is a wonderful opportunity to work from life. I must say I am spoiled and find I feel more confident from life, even though working from photos is well, less work. I sort of feel like all the questions are answered for me, if you know what I mean. If I seriously intend to do this as a career, I will definitely get over this idea that easy is BAD!

I have a couple of commissions coming in this week and I would very much appreciate all of this wonderful input as I progress.

Now I have to go explore more of the site.
Thanks again!

Steven Sweeney · 01-29-2002, 11:09 PM

We had our "Ted" in Minneapolis (though he was/is "Richard"), whom countless students in several art schools and ateliers had drawn or painted in nude life sessions. He'd show up on the walls at exhibitions and open houses all over, surprising to see and vaguely disturbing, because I guess we came to feel a bit proprietary about "our" model. However, the serendipity of similar experience rarely led to invitations to meet over coffee, perhaps because our common bond was, after all, that we'd all spent many dozens of hours with the same naked man. Even my wife recognized him -- presumably from my sketches and paintings!