Daughter's first formal

Elizabeth Schott · 02-20-2003, 12:37 AM

My middle daughter had her first formal dance this evening. So inspired by that and my trip to the fabric shop for backdrops (without Sharon), I thought it would be fun to do a figurative piece from one of the following photos.

I would appreciate any input. Thanks!

I'll just number them, and not include my bias.

1.

Elizabeth Schott · 02-20-2003, 12:39 AM

You'll be able to tell how much fun she thought this was!

2.

Elizabeth Schott · 02-20-2003, 12:40 AM

Oh to be the daughter of a "learning" artist!

3.

Elizabeth Schott · 02-20-2003, 12:43 AM

4.

Elizabeth Schott · 02-20-2003, 01:02 AM

5. Just kidding!

Can you believe we all used to look like this?
(This is not my house.)

Jeremiah White · 02-20-2003, 01:24 AM

You

Josef Sy · 02-20-2003, 08:40 AM

Beth,

If you are doing a figurative piece, I would definitely go with 2. my 2nd choice would be 1.

Linda Nelson · 02-20-2003, 12:35 PM

With a 5 year old I delight in the number of years I have to have a "free" model, and it's odd to think someday my little guy will be posing for their high school formal!

I concur that for a figurative painting #2 then #1 are the best choices. I'd caution though, should you choose #2, to balance the highlighted foreground of the dress compared to the less-contrasty area around the face, as the lower right of the composition is distracting from the face.

Also, there's that one area where the fabric bulges that should be modified.

Good luck, and I look forward to seeing the outcome.

Linda

Mike McCarty · 02-20-2003, 01:04 PM

Number two has some outstanding features. The subtlty of the background left and right, the subdued flowers, and the dress has great shapes.

I like the fact that her head is down and does not show the under side of her chin. The hands and gloves would be a challenge but worth it.

I might play down the chroma in the dress except in a couple of selected spots. I think the home run would be if you could paint this with her eyes to the camera.

Linda Nelson · 02-20-2003, 01:53 PM

Excuse me, Mike, but I think if she looks at the viewer instead of her gloves, she'll look like a stripper teasing you. The feel of the painting will be confrontational instead of candid.

Just my two cents.