Figurative composition

Mike McCarty · 03-15-2003, 01:08 PM

I am interested in doing a figurative painting based on one (or both) of these photographs. I took these photos one evening while staying at a wonderful bed and breakfast in Rhinebeck, NY.

For those of you who like these little compositional puzzles, as I do, feel free to make any comments or alterations. Here is the first...

Mike McCarty · 03-15-2003, 01:12 PM

Here is the second, I will admit to having a bias towards the blue late evening sky coming through the window.

Leslie Ficcaglia · 03-15-2003, 07:19 PM

Mike, the composition on the first one is better; it's very tight and the various elements flow nicely into each other. There seems to be too much competing for attention in the second one.

Linda Nelson · 03-15-2003, 11:01 PM

Hi Mike,

I think both could make valid paintings - the first in more subdued colors in a classical style, the second seems to me a good candidate for colorful pastels or a loose high chroma oil, especially if you're intrigued by the blue exterior light.

May I suggest:

- should you choose the first one, consider cropping it differently. I think there is a great risk that, if not done right, the painting could end up being a portrait of a lamp.

- should you paint the second one, that you "reconcile" the juxtaposition of the casual outfit vs. the formal interior. Additionally, I would NOT have the left arm just sharply ending like that, with the left hand in the lap (which is very unladylike, and insulting to the subject in a way, especially when she's doing something as gentle and dignified as reading).

- hope that doesn't sound too odd of an interpretation.

Good luck with either.

Linda

Mike McCarty · 03-16-2003, 12:45 AM

How about this, not that figurative anymore.

Leslie Ficcaglia · 03-16-2003, 10:56 AM

I agree with Linda about cropping part of the lamp in the first photo if you use that. What I don't like about the second photo, even after you've cropped it again, is the way she's somewhat hunched over. I also wouldn't include the plant because it seems to be too busy and to introduce a distracting pattern of light and dark.

Linda Nelson · 03-16-2003, 12:51 PM

Personally, I think the original cropping of the second photo is better. I would simply get her to sit in the same pose with the same lighting (the environment can be different, and heck, you could even use a different subject), so that you could snap a reference shot of her hand on her lap (or her hand resting to the side of her touching the couch), and if she' was wearing a skirt then that would help the outfit without going too traditional.

Then photoshop these new tidbits together with the existing image and go on from there.

Hope that helps! Looking forward to seeing the outcome!

Linda

Mike McCarty · 03-16-2003, 01:01 PM

My idea of a figurative painting is pretty much a landscape with a person in it. This is what I saw in the second photo. The more it gets cropped the more of a burden there is to call it a portrait of a person. Although the crop of the second could done and my daughter could be recognizable, I didn't think it had all the good qualities of light that you might expect from a portrait.

Also, if I did this, it would be done very loosely and be something of just shapes of dark and light and color. Maybe not quite as loose as the following but close.

What think you?

Leslie Ficcaglia · 03-16-2003, 04:34 PM

Mike, I really like the painting you just posted for an example, and I think that treatment would be very nice for your crop of the second picture if that's the way you choose to go. I still vote for the first picture but then, it's not my painting!