Trisha, her violin, and more ... - Page 2

Scott Bartner · 10-22-2003, 06:33 AM

Dear Mike:

I thought I had a monopoly on beautiful fiddle players?!

I would go for #5. The light fall, subtle colors and wallpaper design create a very tranquil and elegant atmosphere reminiscent of Ingres. Her glance to the side is nicely counter balanced by the bow.

It gets a little busy by the violin pegs--it

Steven Sweeney · 10-22-2003, 08:33 AM

Regarding #5, couple of things to be mindful of. The far side of the mouth forms an exact tangent with the side of the face, and you

Mike McCarty · 10-22-2003, 10:17 AM

Erica,

She was wearing the dress all the time (really). I'll include a shot which shows more of it, although it was not one of my most preferred poses.

I didn't tell her that I bought the clothes at Ace Hardware. But the shoes ... Bruno Magli boots, beautiful, soft suede up to just above the calf with a three quarter slender heal. Seven hundred and forty dollars, not a pair, each! And of course a parting gift, it's a real shame they're just out of frame.

Mike McCarty · 10-22-2003, 10:34 AM

Scott,

It was your beautiful portrait that inspired my thinking. I was going to make an attempt to replicate your composition as a sort of "after Scott" gesture but time got away from me.

I confess to having the same sensibility as Steven regarding the off centered composition of #5. I rather like the tension and the odd balance.

Your remarks regarding the "too busy" nature of the chair arm and the scroll of the violin were my concerns also. I tried a chair without arms but she seemed to be more at ease resting her elbows on the arms. Anyway, I thought I would have a shot at zapping them away latter as the following indicates. This shows a much more interesting pattern with the head of the violin. The arms still look believable to me, what do you think?

Mike McCarty · 10-22-2003, 10:36 AM

Steven,

Your points regarding the face are good ones. I have another face reference for this composition which might serve better. This would make a nice portrait on it's own don't you think?

Patricia Joyce · 10-22-2003, 11:32 AM

Hi Mike,
These are great, as are all of your photos I've seen.

I cast my vote for Shot #4. I can't comment on the composition as I have no expertise but I do know what I like about this one. My son is a professional musician so I am drawn in by the poses with the instrument included, sensing a relationship between violin and violinist. In Pic #4, her face is towards the violin as if she has just looked up from the instrument. She seems to be communicating a confidance to the viewer. She appears "in sync" with her violin. I also like the way her hand is portrayed and could visualize that nicely in a painting.

Along the same rationale I am not drawn to #5 because she is looking out of the composition and it feels to me that she is "unplugged" from the instrument, or even disenfranchised. I am familiar with the strong love/hate relationship between my son and his trombones. I think it would be a great dynamics to portray in a painting.

She is a beautiful model. Undoubtedly you will get some great portraits from these. Good luck. I look forward to seeing your work.
-Patty

Lynn T. McCallum · 10-22-2003, 12:15 PM

Mike!

I like number four the best, if you get rid of the chairs wings. If you block those out, you have a nice simple pose. I love the violin and her hands refecting in the finish of the table. The background is simple and keeps your focus on the subject. Just my opinion, take it or leave it...

Lynn

Scott Bartner · 10-22-2003, 02:31 PM

Dear Mike:

I

Mike McCarty · 10-22-2003, 02:53 PM

Scott,

Just for comparison sake, here is the wider composition as you described it.

Scott Bartner · 10-22-2003, 03:36 PM

Mike:

I would never do a portrait wider than it is long. What I had in mind was this: the bow would divide the right edge of the picture into the so called Golden Section where the longer section is 161.8% of the smaller. You could do this on the other side as well with the height of the chair back.

I would also create a shadow on her left to counter balance the fact that she's positioned so forward and establish the space behind her.

Also I would use the profile with her hair pinned up. I tried but couldn't cut and paste it in the Paint Shop program I have.