Heroes

Kimberly Dow · 08-22-2003, 12:10 PM

I just took this photo. I was trying to get 3 figures like this together for awhile & they just called. All 3 could meet at once in uniform, but it had to be now and at the Firestation. I did not have much time and I was nervous about wasting their time - so I am suprised that they aren't blurry from my hand shaking.

I guess I want to do a themed painting? Anyone who wants to advise or manipulate, feel free please!

I have more photos & close-ups, this is my favorite so far.

Kimberly Dow · 08-22-2003, 12:12 PM

Here it is.

Stacey McEwen · 08-22-2003, 12:36 PM

Ooh - I think this will make a really nice painting - love the concept behind it! I personally wouldn't make too many changes to the photo you have - I think their facial expressions and body language say a lot.

I'm sure the pros here will have some better constructive criticism for you - I just wanted to say that I don't think you should change it too much. Trusting that you have good close-ups of each man's face, I think it could really work well.

Michele Rushworth · 08-22-2003, 01:45 PM

Nice poses overall, though I think I'd change the hands on the police officer. It looks too dainty and awkward the way it is. Do you have other reference (shot from the same angle) for his hands/arms in a different position?

I think I'd change the pink background color and make the whole background much darker and warmer, to isolate the figures from it.

I hope you have reference for the front edges of the feet and what's in front of the feet. You'll need believable shadows there.

I imagine it will be enjoyable to paint this!

08-22-2003, 03:47 PM

Is it strange that the fireman is so much taller than the army guy? He looks a bit dinky. I like the monumental bearing of the fireman, but folks might think you're making a political statement.

I like the way their legs entwine!

Kimberly Dow · 08-22-2003, 04:25 PM

Thanks Stacy, Michele & Lisa,

Lisa,

Yeah, the fireman is huge and the soldier is only 5'6". I will not get another opportunity to photograph I am sure, and he is the only one who could pose. I wonder how believeable I could make it if I shorten the fireman? I do not do too much digital manipulation, I need to learn. I do want to try & change the size because I want them all to be tough/manly and the height difference does hurt the soldier.

Michele,

I am smiling because I am starting to get these things sometimes before someone else mentions it! I must be learning something here. The policeman's hands bothered me too. If the wrist was not going out so much maybe. I have other poses - I didn't move, so maybe I can use both. I am going to go resize a couple others to post.

I was thinking of a dark background, but beyond that I hadn't planned it.

Kimberly Dow · 08-22-2003, 04:35 PM

Here is one. In this one the policeman looks like is is either going to arrest the soldier, or make a pass at him.

Kimberly Dow · 08-22-2003, 04:38 PM

This one, maybe a different hand for the policeman.

That first one I had to really keep asking them to get closer. I told them to give me their toughest, "I'm a bada**" look. At least in that one they are not all looking down on the soldier.

Stacey McEwen · 08-22-2003, 05:23 PM

I definitely vote for the first one you posted - the positions look much more natural for all three of them than in these last two.

The policeman does look suspiciously close to making a pass at the soldier in #2

As far as the fireman being tall, maybe you could just shorten him a little bit, so that he's not a full head taller than the other guys, but still taller than the soldier? I like that he's taller - maybe just lessen the scale of the height difference.