"Nova" and company - Page 2

Michele Rushworth · 08-10-2004, 08:19 PM

A lot of nice shots here! I suppose which one you choose would depend on the purpose of these photos.

Is this a commission? In that case, if you have a fairly sophisticated client they may choose the one with the arms draped over the chair and not mind that part of his face isn't visible. I think that this one is definitely the most interesting composition, artistically speaking. If it was my child, that's the one I'd paint for myself. However, I don't think any of the clients I've had would have chosen that shot of their son.

Because of that factor I would think twice about creating a painting from this photo if it was primarily intended as a sample for my portfolio. I study the portraits I see on the SOG sites of artists whose work I admire and I haven't seen any compositions as adventurous as this one.

There is another good reason, though, for painting from the photo with the arms draped over the chair: competitions. From what I've seen, the artist-judges for the major competitions consistently choose portraits that are more creative than what I think most clients would go for.

Linda Brandon · 08-10-2004, 11:19 PM

Mike, see how his eyes are slightly crossed in Nova's three-quarter pose? This seems to happen a lot with sitters in this angle when I take photos. I think that it has to do with looking over the nose bridge. Which eye would you move around to make him focus on the viewer, or would you leave it like this?

Mike McCarty · 08-11-2004, 09:24 PM

Michele,

It's not a commission, and I wouldn't argue to hard against your analysis. I like the first one and the one behind the chair. I would do this chair composition for the argument you make about competitions (I guess we have to be presumptuous about our chances) and I think it might surprise you with regards to it's value as a commission piece. It's a judgment call, I think I would take the gamble.

Linda,

I think it's genetic, this is his mother, the lady I photographed a while back with the violin. I would copy his (and her) right eye. I think it is more open and awake looking.