Sandy--need some input

[Alexandra Tyng]

Hi Lisa, it's nice to see you posting again!

I'm not sure you want any more advice, since everything has been covered so well, but here's my two cents.

First, about the "rendering" problem: I had (have?) a rendering problem, too. This sounds very familiar to me. Not that our styles are the same, it's just that I started out drawing every little detail. I was fascinated by detail. My high school art teacher and the artists I knew would tell me, "you don't have to draw every wrinkle," and I would think, "Why not?" I couldn't see at that age why it might be better not to. I didn't start to turn this problem into an asset until I realized what it really meant to choose and to make decisions artistically. Then I saw what a long road lay ahead of me and how much I had to learn.

Sorry, I didn't mean to tell you my life story. I know you are already a long way up that road already, or you wouldn't be turning out such beautiful work (and, yes, Lisa, there have been some transcendent pieces, I'm sure you know which ones they are, and you will do more!) I'm hearing that you are aware of an issue that is, in itself, both a great talent and a handicap.

If we look at the work of the artists we admire, there are certain ones whose work makes us think "I wish I could paint like that!" Not like wishing we were someone else, but wishing we were more developed versions of ourselves. In other words, our goals have to be consistent with our own styles and our own directions somehow.

So it's all about loving and appreciating your ability to render, and at the same time asking yourself what you want to do with it, what decisions are you going to make for your long-term artistic growth, given this ability. Whenever I reach a point of frustration I look at paintings I admire as something to work towards, and I try to paint from life or switch from portraits to landscapes, or draw. It helps not to perseverate, because then you just get into a rut.

Now, back to the portrait. I know you've shaved a few years off her appearance already, but my eye is drawn to the wrinkles above her upper lip and on our right side of her mouth (smile lines). The important thing to do is think how you can simplify these areas without taking away her essential characteristics. She will thank you for it, believe me. You may need two major smile lines rather than three or four. You may be able to eliminate the puckers above her lip completely.

The background: I think Michele's advice is great. I'm just reacting to this particular portrait. To me the color of the background competes with her skin, so I would vote for a darker, more neutral tone.

The fading at the bottom: I agree that if you can't loosen up towards the bottom, then render. The misty fade tells me you are not in control unless you are tight. The fully finished edge will tell me you have made a decision that you are in control of.

Gosh, that was much more than two cents!

Alex

[Jean Kelly]

Hi Lisa,

Just wanted to say congrats on this commission, I'm sure you will be able to carry it off in a beautiful way.

I'm also reading this thread with much interest, there is a lot of wisdom here.

Jean

[Lisa Ober]

Hi David,

You really have me thinking and I need to figure this out before we marry or my baggage will poison the relationship.

Basically, I agree with you. It isn't really a choice of "freer" vs. "overworked" but rather something that separates the true artist from others. I truly believe I lack this. I'm not sure what it is. It's somewhere in the mood, the composition, the thought process, the intent. Yes, that's it. You are well aware of my rushing through work and how quickly I paitn and draw. That's good for what I am doing now but for real expressive art I think I must either have a missing link in my creativity or I am too lazy to plan. My excitement is in becoming as technically proficient as possible. I am not nearly as excited and my mind is vacant in fact when it comes to conjuring up meaningful work. Well, there you go. I just labeled myself a renderer again. Living up to the power of suggestion. And that's the difference for me. I can draw and paint what i see to some degree of accuracy but tell me to innovate and you will be waiting forever.

It's not that I don't care so don't misunderstand. I just don't know if I have it in me. Okay wait, it's in me but I can't get it from my head to the canvas. That's more accurate. I think this is going to be a lifelong struggle. With any luck I will live long enough to create one really terrific piece of ART.

I can't thank you enough for the very encouraging things you have said and the compliments you have given. I am so glad there is someone who "gets" the struggle. It really does mean a lot.

When time permits I am going to go crazy with the tools. You all might be begging for me to go back to rendering but I'm still going to push.

In the meantime, I think I will finish these 10 pastels to the edge as most of you have suggested.

Thanks, David. You're fun and you will make a great spouse.

[Lisa Ober]

Michelle,

Really nice of you to take the time to give me your suggestions.

First, I will continue to the edges as you suggest for the final 10 pieces.
Secondly, I am leaning toward making each unique in color scheme. We'll see what all these womend look like. I will take your advice and show the recipients before framing.

Finally, I LOVE your PR ideas. I have a little bit of trouble tooting my own horn but I think I really need to do it to make this pay off to its potential. I love the idea of some in progress shots. That's great!

You're awesome!

[Lisa Ober]

Ilaria, thank you for your input. I think you are right that I will end up painting to the edge. It seems backwards to do anything else for me at this point.

Oh yes, you are right. My life work is not as good but it is more interesting. It is hard to get bogged down in the details when you only have a short period of time to paint a sitter.

As far as the irises go, this client actually wanted me to sharpen them more! She feels her eyes are her best asset and I have to say that they are indeed sharp and beautiful, crystal clear and unique.

Thank you again.

[Lisa Ober]

Alex,

Not ever too much advice. I am so happy to hear from you.

I find it hard to believe with the beautiful work you have produced that you have any problems at all. I can however relate to your comment about drawing every little detail. It seems I don't know what to leave out. If I see it then I figure it needs to be there. I don't think of portraits in terms of getting a likeness. I convince myself that they need to be exact replicas of the subject. I know that is wrong but I have a hard time picking and choosing the details. I obsess about them all.

Superb and specific (THANK YOU) advice on what details to minimize in this practice portrait. I was aware of the lip lines but I am going to go look at the others. I think I can soften them too.

As for the fading, I think I will quit it. I am not in control unless I am tight it is true so I might as well finish it to the edge.

Your two cents is worth its weight in gold so never hesitate.

All of you are so helpful I could cry but won't because it just ruins pastels.

[Lisa Ober]

Jean, oops I went out of order in my resposes. I knew I had a lot of typing to do so I addressed each person one at a time so I wouldn't forget anyone. Well, you were on one page and...
Anyway, I didn't forget you.

Thank you for the congratulations. This is great exposure and I am worried to death I will mess it up. I hope I can carry it off to a degree and not look incapable. That remains to be seen.

There is a lot of wisdom here. I should spend more time here. It never ceases to amaze me how thoughtfully members respond, truly paying attention to the issues requesting attention. I really like that. It's a great resource.

[Michele Rushworth]

I have a little bit of trouble tooting my own horn but I think I really need to do it to make this pay off to its potential.

It's gotta be done, and throughout your career, too, not just for this event.

[Janet Kimantas]

Lisa, congratulations on this amazing opportunity. Great thread, too. There's a wealth of wisdom in here. Thanks. Janet