WIP, formal portrait commission

Robin Manjone · 07-09-2003, 08:29 PM

Hello. I have been away from portrait commissions for 4 years, due to personal reasons, and of course the first one I get and accept is for a college. In the past I have done two oils and another pastel. This commission I accepted is a pastel of a retiring beloved teacher, nun, to the college.

A little scared to say the least but managing the best I can. I only have a digital photo reference to go by, with the directives to make the hair more whitish gray, and a blue suit (which the nuns wear when they teach, and to include a sister of mercy lapel pin on the lapel of the blue blazer).

Hope I post the images ok here, my first posts so please forgive me. First the digital image I received...

Robin Manjone · 07-09-2003, 08:33 PM

My initial drawing, 16x20, felt gray, Canson Mi- tentes paper:

Robin Manjone · 07-09-2003, 08:36 PM

A little more detailed close up. Any suggestions, critiques, graciously accepted. Thank you. Robin

Robin Manjone · 07-10-2003, 04:38 PM

Hello,

I worked some more on the portrait today. I need to walk away from it for a few hours. I still want to add some defining highlights to the hair. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Robin

Jeff Fuchs · 07-10-2003, 05:53 PM

Wow. Big difference. It's really taking shape. Did you get any reference on just how gray to make the hair? She might be sensitive about seeing herself fully gray if she still has color in her hair.

Robin Manjone · 07-11-2003, 06:42 AM

Hello Jeff,

I was given a reference photograph for her hair, it leans more toward white. You are right, seeing yourself all gray would be a bit of a jolt!

Thank you for your nice comment.

Robin

Linda Brandon · 07-11-2003, 09:55 AM

Hi Robin,

I really like the way you're handling the subtle flesh tones in this portrait. It's always difficult for an artist to be handed a snapshot and asked to make something out of it, especially of an older person.

I'd work on that hair some more, varying the strokes and making more of them curved, full and soft. Be sure to keep those edges soft where they meet with the background. I'd also go back to that jacket and work on softening the lines and shadows.

There's a nice feeling of character in your painting. Keep posting, and welcome!

Best wishes,
Linda

Michele Rushworth · 07-12-2003, 10:19 AM

Robin, I know you could do some great portraits if you took your own photos. When clients ask if I can do a portrait from a photo they provide, I always turn it down.

Check out the threads in the reference photo section of this site and you will see some very useful suggestions on how to photograph your own subjects.

Robin Manjone · 08-04-2003, 12:37 PM

Linda and Michele, thank you for taking the time to make me feel so welcome.

I am posting the final painting. I insisted on meeting this person, for I could not envision the changes that the board was asking me to do, with the reference material supplied. So I did have the opportunity to meet with my subject and I studied her for over an hour. Made the difference.

I delivered the portrait to grateful tears. It made me feel very satisfied when someone commented. "We can walk by this portrait everyday and feel our loving Sister is here with us"

Michele, thank you for leading me to the threads on photographing your own subject, I learned a lot. This particular portrait was a surprise. I had to work with what was available to me. I do prefer to photograph and or work from life whenever I can.

Linda, I toned down most of the harsh tones. When I saw her face in person, I realized how fair skinned she was. It is amazing how different a photograph can portray someone. I made the changes, I do believe the essence of her spirit shines through with this painting. Thank you for your loving support.

Robin

Robin Manjone · 08-04-2003, 12:42 PM

The final painting.