Five-hour figurative pose

[Linda Brandon]

Originally Posted by Richard Bingham

Question, what steps do you take compositionally in these "from the hip" sessions? (I really battle with this)

Richard, you've hit the nail on the head regarding a figurative pose. I spent at least 30 minutes at the very beginning, measuring and plotting the best way to crop this figure without losing the elbow or glove and yet size the head large enough to get some detail in it. It's 22" x 18" and I really wish I had brought along a larger canvas. I'm kicking myself.

I also had to eliminate tangents and awkward points of overlap and intersection - which is hard to do in a crowded group situation, but if I take a step a few inches one way or another it usually solves my problem. Composition is really important to me on paintings like this one, which isn't so much about rendering than it is about 'drama'. Incidentally, I put a big boom spotlight directly over the model's head and I really liked the way the shadows developed.

Thank you for taking the time to comment, Richard.

[Alexandra Tyng]

Wow! Linda! This is amazing. To borrow one of your quotes, you "really know how to paint men." I love the muscle-T, sweatband, and gloves. The angle of the light is very effective--it evokes midday sun, which reminds one of taking a break from hard work. Youve got the feeling there. GREAT work.

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

Linda, what a painting! I mean painting as opposed to a portrait and its background!
I love tthe lilac/yellow scheme, with the two colours chasing each other around all of the canvas.
If you work some more on it, just don't look at the photo: it's wonderful and fresh and you are at risk of loosing the whole just to go after a detail!
Ilaria

[Mischa Milosevic]

Linda, this is awesome! This is ready for a frame as it is. Sure you can refine this or that but why? Maybe just adjust a edge here or there will be just the thing. For a canvas this size the unfinished look will hold the charm. Don't you think?