Loretta, from life

[Sharon Knettell]

Dianne,

Your neck and head proportions are much better.

Was this a group session or your own model?

It would be better to have had more simplified lighting so you would have a stronger light and dark pattern on your head. The disparate sources of light create a busy pattern destroying the form, it should be much simpler.

[Michele Rushworth]

I agree with Sharon, one light source (and windows are a light source) will make your life so much easier and result in a more three dimensional painting.

[Dianne Gardner]

Thanks for the additional critique Sharon and Michele.

It was done as a group session.

Yes lighting is a problem as my studio has a very large skylight. The sun passes so quickly over the skylight that it makes it difficult to grab the shadows. Therefore I began using a lamp. But we still get that sun from the skylight.

So do you think I should forgo the daylight lamp on the model and just depend on the skylight?

Thank you.
Dianne

[Marcus Lim]

Hi Dianne,
On top of Sharon and Michele's advice, you may like to look at the issue on perspectives. The way i see this portrait is a slight forward hunch by the model. As a result, certain features of her head and body are subjected to perspective. I hope it makes sense to you.

[Dianne Gardner]

Thank you Marcus for the observation on perspective and for your help. You are absolutely right.

However, I took the photograph after I painted the painting. The model was not hunched over but rather sitting quite erect when were were working. I only used the photo for some detail work on her face. It is not a reference photo.

I do appreciate your help.

Dianne

[Marcus Lim]

Oh i'm really sorry...i didn't know that was the case.

[Sharon Knettell]

Dianne,

Studio lighting is a rather complex issue.

I don't know where the skylight is vis-a-vis the model. Check out the book I told you about to help you resolve your lighting isuues.

If it is not a constant light source it is unworkable.