Outside the box thinking...

Cindy Procious · 03-20-2006, 09:29 AM

For an upcoming demonstration that will be on two successive saturdays at a gallery, I want to paint a contemporary "outside-the-box" yet still appealing to soccer moms type of portrait.

The subject is my son Ben, who just turned 13. The canvas I chose is 15" x 30" - which in and of itself makes the painting "outside-the-box".

I was sort of happy with what I had, until I saw the thread that Chris Saper posted with William Coupon's beautiful, dramatic and unique photography. So, now I need to go back to the drawing board. Or, maybe not.

Here's a few of my inital comps. I like the rim lighting on the first one, but I don't know if it's too dark, etc.

Ben's a skateboarder, and I think now, maybe I should include the skateboard. I want something that appears natural and not contrived - and I think that these don't fit that bill.

Does anyone have any composition suggestions? Lighting help?

Cindy Procious · 03-20-2006, 10:44 AM

So, 13's not so grown up, after all. I just asked Ben if he would pose for me again, with some additional lighting set up (I was only using natural light) and he got all teary and upset. (okay, it is the THIRD time I've asked him to pose.)

I think he didn't want to wash his hair! LOL.

I WILL prevail, though. Hmmm, I wonder if I can get him to wear multi-colored striped tights, and a leotard?

Monique McFarland · 03-20-2006, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cindy Procious

So, 13's not so grown up, after all. I just asked Ben if he would pose for me again, with some additional lighting set up (I was only using natural light) and he got all teary and upset. (okay, it is the THIRD time I've asked him to pose.)

I think he didn't want to wash his hair! LOL.

I WILL prevail, though. Hmmm, I wonder if I can get him to wear multi-colored striped tights, and a leotard?

OK, now the LOL...truly means laugh out loud....you weren't talking about MY ref. photo here, were you? Nah....no.....not YOU...please don't abuse your son in that way...ok? for me..ok? you at least need to make the stripes be more along the blues and purples, I think he would be more open to that...ok? no pinks..I think that would be the deal breaker for him...just a thought.

HANDS DOWN...picture #3....the natural lighing is a stunner...LOVE it. It truly has a wow factor for me......One and two are too dark on his face, IMO.....#3 is the WINNER!! That will make him happy too...I think it is perfect for you..

Cindy Procious · 03-20-2006, 11:37 AM

You think pink stripes is too much? Okay okay - blues and greens, then. Got it.

Marina Dieul · 03-20-2006, 12:06 PM

I like the first photo better, the light is nice and I like the way his body moves. But the face is maybe too dark, I don't have enough experience to tell you if you can lighten it without touching the other parts.
Maybe, if he allows you another chance to take a photo, he could take the same pose, with his skateboard on his hip...I think it would make a very natural pose.
For this kind of light, you have to spot meter on his face. ( I tell you what I've been told: I don't control yet my camera that much

)

Kimberly Dow · 03-20-2006, 12:49 PM

Oooo - I'd paint Number 3 in a heartbeat.

Michele Rushworth · 03-20-2006, 01:03 PM

I like the poses in all three, though the exposure is unworkable with the first two. You can adjust these images in Photoshop somewhat but you usually lose color accuracy. In the third one I would prefer to see his eye on the right side more.

The New York Times did an article not long ago about portrait paintings with very casual clothing, a trend in at least some parts of the country.

Cindy Procious · 03-20-2006, 01:11 PM

Thanks for all your input.

I was thinking that with poses 1 & 2 - I achieved the desireable S curve composition, but I definitely need to bring in some artificial lighting.

3 has the best lighting but I'm worried about the legs being out from the wall - is this one of those situations where the viewer accepts the visual clues in a photo but would see it as awkward in a painting?

Cindy Procious · 03-20-2006, 01:33 PM

Another pose for your consideration.

Today was a school professional day - teachers in, kids out. I was hoping to reshoot today...I even offered to buy him new skateboard shoes. But, the request to wash his hair scuttled it - Ben left.

Richard Monro · 03-20-2006, 03:17 PM

Cindy,
Number three is the winner, but here are some suggestions for future shots. Try to make the lighting come from the side. slightly in front of the subject and slightly above as well. This will provide good definition to facial planes. This has been a portrait secret since the time of Vermeer or earlier. When the light source is slightly behind the subject as in your other photos, it tends to make the facial planes "flat" and therefore hard to paint.