Cleopatra Eyes

Jean Kelly · 03-07-2006, 04:08 PM

I've been playing around with this, it's 18"x12", oil on a gessoed panel. I'm not quite finished, the area of her arm under all the hair still needs some work. But I'm close. This photo has some glare since it's still quite wet, but I'm curious to hear what you think.

Jean

Patricia Joyce · 03-07-2006, 04:22 PM

Oh Jean,
The mood and composition in this is so good. She makes me wonder what she is up too - so much genuine happiness, she glows!!

Jean Kelly · 03-07-2006, 04:27 PM

Thanks Pat! On my screen the light areas are too light, and the cool areas are too cool. I wanted to do a painting that was more to the warm side and the photo doesn't reflect this. I'll try again for a better shot when it"s complete.

Jean

Mischa Milosevic · 03-07-2006, 06:54 PM

Jean, grate job! The hair brilliance in the shadow and on table is beautiful. I am sure you will give the hair in light on top the same shine, that special touch to give it more life. I love the hand and the top. Maybe a few softer edges on the rim of the hood. My I be bold and suggest unifying the hue in the face the cheek seems a bit strong on the chroma. I personally like the chroma on the nose but think the cheek is a tad to strong. What do you think? One more thing, the dip on the wing of the nose a touch to dark.

I hope that helps.
mischa

Kimberly Dow · 03-07-2006, 07:26 PM

Jean, I love this horizontal format.

I think, as was mentioned that the chroma is too high on the cheek - too red. Also, check her hand perhaps. It may be the legnth of the lines between the fingers, but it looks off to me.

This is going to be lovely!

Richard Monro · 03-07-2006, 08:27 PM

Jean,
You have captured a wonderful feeling in this composition. I feel that is even more important than technical competency. I agree with the chroma comments, but it won't take much to tidy up and make this a very stunning painting. Looking forward to the finished piece.

Terri Ficenec · 03-07-2006, 11:10 PM

Hi Jean - I love the mood of this! One more thing you might want to check is the eyebrow seems a bit dark/solid. . .

Can't wait to see this one finished!

Jean Kelly · 03-08-2006, 01:09 PM

Good morning to all and thatnk you for all the great comments!

Terri, this young woman is Portuguese, and has more hair on her head than I've had in my lifetime. I'll revisit her eyebrows but have already decreased their intensity. I'm afraid that if I knock them back even more I will begin to lose part of what makes her, her!

Richard, I'm so glad that the "mood" of this painting came across loud and clear. When the model took this pose, I was stunned by how simple yet powerful she was. So far, I haven't totally recreated that moment, but she is getting there.

Hi Kim, since you are the master of "smoky looks", I appreciate your approval! I need to do more work on that hand, it looks too short and fat. She has very small hands and I think that I have'nt done enough to model the shadows. Thank you for bringing that up.

Mischa, thank you for taking to the time to take a really hard look at this. I'll be incorporating your suggestions as I finish this up. That cheek has given me so much trouble! I've had it lighter and darker and then lighter again. I think part of the problem is the photo. There is too much contrast, and it really is not that strong in the painting. I'll post as I gat closer to the finish.

To all the "angels on my shoulders"
Thanks!

Jean

Mischa Milosevic · 03-08-2006, 04:47 PM

Jean, in regard to the cheek try to get the chroma down at the proper value Don't make it lighter or darker. The value that you have now can work. If it needs to go lighter do not use just wight mix the wight with something and than add it to your dark mix.

In order to get the chroma down (the intensity of the color/hue) mix up what you have but try adding a touch of complimentary color at the same value to your mix. Just a touch. Do this on your palette first than if the surface is dry test the new mix on the cheek. Maybe a light glaze mite work (linseed oil with a touch of your new mix). I would rather try and get the correct hue, value and temperature than glaze. If it is not glazed correctly it mite dull the area.

If you try the new mix when the surface is dry and you do not like the results just wipe it off and clean it with a touch of mineral spirits.