Oh daughter

Mike McCarty · 06-13-2002, 10:05 PM

I have talked some really beautiful people into sitting for photo's and some just turn goofy as soon as they sit down. Others seem to be naturals. After many photo's I still can't predict who will photo well. Of all the subjects that I have photographed I still think my daughter is one of the most photogenic. Maybe it's just a dad thing.

I like this recent photo. Being black and white I wonder how others might approach it. Introduce color? A single color oil? Charcoal?

Karin Wells · 06-13-2002, 10:29 PM

It's not a "dad thing" - this young woman is really beautiful, extremely photogenic and an inspirational subject to paint.

You have a very good photo to work with. It would look good as a monochrome for sure, but I would pull out all the stops and go for full color.

Mike McCarty · 06-15-2002, 09:38 PM

Thanks Karin, I like to say that my "beauty genes" had the intelligence to bow to her mothers.

I think I might try a watercolor. While on my recent journey, (loved your state of N.H.) in a little art supply store in Rhinebeck NY, I got a copy of "Portrait Highlights." A magazine from AMERICAN ARTIST. Subtitled "creative approaches to portraits in watercolor, pastel, and oil. What a great thing this is. I poured over it several times while on my trip. It kinda has me wanting to try a w/c.

What do you think of the cross on her chest? Would you drop it or leave it?

Mari DeRuntz · 06-15-2002, 10:56 PM

I love it; the light defining her eyes is very "Leonardo"... How about preliminary drawings and see where it takes you? I'd even love to see something like a pen and ink drawing, to challenge yourself to softly define gradations with a "hard" medium.

Peggy Baumgaertner · 06-15-2002, 11:12 PM

Mike,

Be careful with the foreshortening on the arm, especially the shoulder to elbow. There is foreshortening there, it just isn't apparent. There is no way the upper arm would be that short.

An ounce of prevention... The rest of the photo is wonderful!

Peggy

Mike McCarty · 06-15-2002, 11:49 PM

Thanks Mari, I bought a big sheet of w/c paper today. I like to try new stuff on my own kid, before I have the pressure of someone else's. The photo was lit by a wall of 4 french doors faceing north.

Peggy, I would have never caught the foreshortening thing. Do you have an opinion re: the cross on her chest? keep it loose it?

BTW I saw your substantial advertisement in the magazine I mentioned above. I can't say enough about that magazine. Wonderful illustrations and tips from great artists. I will include the cover below.

Karin Wells · 06-16-2002, 12:20 AM

I've been looking for this magazine! It isn't sold anywhere around here....can I order it online?

Mari DeRuntz · 06-16-2002, 12:24 AM

In that special issue, check out the graphite studies by Ronald N. Sherr on pgs. 173-4. I agree, great resource.

Mari DeRuntz · 06-16-2002, 12:26 AM

Hi Karin, it's a special issue by American Artist Magazine. I picked it up at the newsstand of a local store called Books-a-Million, not sure if its a chain. The magazine has an 800 number, 800-745-8922. It's a good compilation.

Cynthia Daniel · 06-17-2002, 04:13 AM

Looks like an interesting magazine, but I wish someone would do one for the portrait buying public.