Babysitter portrait

[Sharon Knettell]

Joan,

The only photo that could possibly be interpreted for portrait use is the standing figure.
Alas, it has a few problems as I see it.

A: There seems to be two sources of light, one warm, one cool. The face is warm, the hands greenish blue. It is better to learn how to resolve that than to rely on photoshop or some other computer program.

B: The choice of a background. It is baggy and it's heavily draped folds conflicts with the dress. The floor area is unresolved.

C: There is no color plan. Is it a red-green blue orange color scheme? What is your color design plan.

D: The dress is not what I would have personally picked for this young lady. She is rather busty and the frieze of rosettes and the sheen of the fabric only accentuate the problem.

One must approach clients with confidence and knowledge, only learning proper procedures will give you this advantage. I doubt that the Leo Caprio character could paint a portrait with bluffs.

A good photo course would be useful as well as subscriptions to W and Town and Country. We must learn how the gentry dress if we want to present them well or those who seek to emulate them.

This, of course presumes that you have put in the requisite time honing your portrait skills. One year of learning tonal drawing and one year of just painting the figure and head would be the basic minimum. Mike Dodson is setting a good example here on the forum with his series of head studies from life. They are excellent and fresh and will stand him in good stead when he has to make color notes from life.
A workshop or an atelier are also excellent options.

How far we go depends on how we lay our foundation work. We can thrill our friends and family with our copies of photos or we can diligently prepare ourselves for a more discerning and better paying clientele.

[Michele Rushworth]

Sharon has, as always, given excellent advice. A great painting cannot be made from flawed reference.

[Joan Breckwoldt]

Hi Sharon,

Thank you for your thoughtful post and your excellent advice.

Originally Posted by Sharon Knettell

I doubt that the Leo Caprio character could paint a portrait with bluffs.

I certainly hope I didn't give the impression that I could fake my way through portraiture. I was strictly talking about answering questions with confidence when talking to clients. I have a long long way to go with my painting.

Originally Posted by Sharon Knettell

How far we go depends on how we lay our foundation work.

I am working at building a foundation, unfortunately I haven't found a local instructor or local workshop that can help with this. I've exhausted the drawing and portrait classes at the MFA art school here in Houston.

That being said, I find myself learning so much from this forum and advice from professional artists like you is invaluable to me. Thank you again for taking a look at this Sharon and for your advice.

Joan

[Michele Rushworth]

Peggy Baumgaertner is teaching some top notch workshops in Texas later this year: http://portraitartist.com/baumgaertner/workshops.htm

Even if you need to get a hotel nearby to attend, I'm sure you (or any artist) would feel it was time and money well spent.