Please critique child portrait

[Rebecca Willoughby]

Jeanine,

I didn't mean for the image to be quite so saturated. The background is now way too blue, but I think you can tell where I was heading. I am glad to know that we were on the same wavelength. I really admire your work.

Barbara,

I don't know if you have Photoshop or another image correcting program, but I use it a lot to "test" corrections or additions before I actually do them. It has saved me a lot of painting and repainting time.

A digital camera and Photoshop. Thank you, Lord, for modern conveniences!

Rebecca

[Barbara Moquin]

Thank you, Jeanine and Rebecca.

The one thing my teacher has stressed is to paint "What you know, not what you see", in other words not to "paint the photograph". Sorry, I tried to edit the first photo and somehow completely deleted it, I do know computers are not my area.

I did use my Nikon for the photos and then Photoshop for the image study. I am not sure if I am explaining myself correctly.

I will look for the reference photo to post.

Barbara

[Karin Wells]

I like the luminosity of Barbara's painting and adding a lot of darks (as in the altered post earlier) might ruin it.

However, introducing some "lost" edges in the shadows might do the trick here. Ruby looks as if she was "cut out and glued" onto the background.

(Barb Moquin is a former student of mine. I might be prejudiced, but I really like this painting and am proud of what she has accomplished!)

[Rebecca Willoughby]

We agree, Karin.

The oversaturation of my corrected image took away some of the luminosity. But darkening the aforementioned areas will, in my humble opinion, anchor this precious child to the background and remove that "cut and paste" feeling. I've always been trained that each work should have a certain level of low values to give the image depth and more dimension. Of course I have worked in commercial art for so long that it may have different rules than the "fine" arts.

Hope I've been helpful.

Rebecca

[Barbara Moquin]

Hello,

I have attached the reference photo of Ruby. Several people have mentioned the check in her dress. I really enjoyed doing the check in her dress, I found it fun to follow the "fabric surface" in the painting.

Barbara

[Jeanine Jackson]

Great photo! It has more information than I expected regarding dark values within the figure. If you just paint 'em as you see 'em, your final product will sing!

Thanks for posting!

[Barbara Moquin]

Hi, Jeanine.

It has been impressed on me to not paint the photo. It is a guide I use, keep the shadows gentle so they do not become harsh.

Barbara

[Jeanine Jackson]

I agree that for the effect you are going for, avoid heaviness. However, your strong ability to control edges should provide the courage you need to make a bolder statement of form and shadow.