Darla The second time

ReNae Stueve · 11-13-2005, 11:45 AM

I still don't have those sleepy "bedroom eyes" as she used to call them.

Steven Sweeney · 11-13-2005, 03:52 PM

Just a quick drive-by, as I

Steven Sweeney · 11-13-2005, 07:23 PM

This and my earlier post is all with the caveat that this particular portrait is

Steven Sweeney · 11-13-2005, 09:16 PM

One more thing that is signficant (well, I think it is) --

Let the base of the nose just be the base, in shadow. Don't let a lot of light get in there to, say, define the structure around the nostril, and don't let the nostril value be a lot darker than the shadow area. Kind of take the shadow shape under the nose in the posterization on the right (that is, of the reference photo) as a guide. Within that shape is very little effort to pull out lights, and it isn't necessary anyway. Viewers know what the structure of the nose is, and they know about shadows, so their eyes will supply the detail. You don't need to, and in fact by doing so, those elements say "Look at me!", which isn't what you want to have happening in that area.

ReNae Stueve · 11-14-2005, 01:46 PM

Steven,

Yes to everything. You're brilliant. I'm at the office and can't take too much time now, but I will sit tonight and the next several nights and make the changes you have laid out here. The comparison in gray scale is a great tool. It really is telling, isn't it. I set this up using a grid system, but my shapes tend to migrate. Your example also clearly reveals my fear of using the whole value scale. I can't thank you enough for the time you have put into this. I'll post the modifications as soon as they are ready.

Joan Breckwoldt · 11-14-2005, 04:52 PM

Hi ReNae,

I think this is lovely, you have gotten so much wonderful help from Steven, I couldn't begin to add anything to his critique, except for one little thing. Oh, I learned a lot from Steven's critique too!

You might consider toning down the brown part of the scarf. The dark object of the scarf against the pink shirt really jumps out at me. Could you make the entire scarf yellow? Or just neutralize the brown part of the scarf so the contrast between it and it's background (shirt) is not so high.

Just my two cents worth,

Joan

ReNae Stueve · 11-14-2005, 08:52 PM

Steven,

As I mentioned I would only be able to tweak a few things tonight, but after going over and over your notes Steven I couldn't wait to show you just how much better this looks with just TWO of your obsevations rubbed in. I reshaped her hair line on our right and I reshaped her irises. I also pulled the scarf around her neck. I'll post this photo, as poor as it is, so you can see your handy work. This new paint is just blocked in. There is much more to do.