Portrait of John

Rachel Mauger · 10-16-2003, 02:19 AM

This portrait is of my husband's late grandfather. It is a gift for his wife's birthday next week.
This is the first full portrait I have attempted in over two years (interstate move/baby), so thought I would start with something a little easy to ease back into it.

The composition is predictable, I know, but there were a few challenges, namely the glasses. I have never painted anyone in glasses before and struggled dealing with them.

I am extremely rusty and lacking confidence so would like impressions and suggestions before I frame and present (no pun intended) next weekend. Apparently other family members are very happy with the likeness and I am a little stiff but I don't think it turned out as tight as I had expected.

I guess I should stop rambling on (I do when I am nervous)and submit. I am much more organised this time and will post portrait, detail of portrait, reference photo and detail of reference.

Thank you.

Rachel Mauger · 10-16-2003, 02:21 AM

Here is a detail of portrait

Rachel Mauger · 10-16-2003, 02:23 AM

This is the photo I stole!

Rachel Mauger · 10-16-2003, 02:24 AM

This is a detail of the source photo.

Rachel Mauger · 10-16-2003, 02:28 AM

Sorry, I forgot to include important details such as the dimensions and support:

80cmx60cm

Pastel cloth mounted on foam core.

I think now I have covered everything.

Linda Brandon · 10-16-2003, 07:22 PM

Hi Rachel,

If everyone says you've caught a likeness, give yourself a pat on the back, because most people don't lie about this sort of thing and are only too happy to tell you where to adjust the nose, etc. (In fact, all artists should have "designated drivers" to nudge things in the right direction when the artist has parked himself in. So to speak.)

Anyway, you've done a good job with a difficult photo. Bright sunlight is just plain tough - tough to paint (no clear shadow pattern to help you create a three-dimensional form) and tough to look good in unless you're, say, under 25. My own feeling is that older people look best under carefully planned indoor lighting situations. Since this is a posthumous photo you don't have the luxury of a re-shoot, of course.

Don't be nervous about posting. I think that poor resource photos are holding you back; that's all. Anyway, I have at least two, and probably three, train wrecks happening in my own studio. One subject needs beheading and another will be power sanded into oblivion. It's much more fun to come to the Forum and give my opinions on another artist's work than to go and face the carnage and gnashing of teeth in my studio.

Lon Haverly · 10-17-2003, 12:43 AM

I quite agree, if people are happy, that is a plus!

The reference photo seems to be a little bright in its color. THe greens are so green, and the reds so red, that it makes the face seem to be isolated from the background. You cannot bring green into the face, but you perhaps could bring a little of the shadow colors of the face into the background to tone down the green.

Good job, especially since you said you are rusty!

Lon