Must an artist copy just as a photo?

[Andrey Danylyuk]

Dear colleagues,

When I have received this photo, at once I've noticed some drawbacks in it (position of hands, color, etc.). Conditions of the work were such - to paint precisely, as a photo. I've made bold and have changed position of hands, a model's look and something added from me. You see the result. How you consider, has an artist the right to make alterations, painting a portrait from a photo? And where are the limits of creativity closed for the artist painting from a photo? I wonder, how do you act in such cases, colleagues?
Andrey.

[Claudemir Bonfim]

I'm pretty sure that's much better than the original one. To me you only use a photo as a reference. My favorite way of painting is from life, but, if I need to use a photograph, that is just as a reference, I hate to have to copy a photo.

That's what I think.

[Allan Rahbek]

Andrey,

I think that Bonfim has a good point when he say that we should only consider a photo as a "reference" and not slavishly copy it.
The changes you made is all improvements.

The most common mistake, when copying from photo, is forgetting that the photo was taken at a certain distance from the person. If that distance is, say 2 meters, the perspective in the painting will only look right at a 2 meters distance. When viewed at 5 meters the far parts will look too small.
I see that you enlarged the models right arm for that same reason.

This is only one reason why a photo should not be trusted blindly. Others may have additional comments.

I think that this is a key problem that should be explored deeply, since so many of us use the photo reference.

Allan

[Cynthia Leininger]

Claudemir,
I am curious, did your client object to the changes you made? I think it is a beautiful painting and they should be grateful for the work you did. The hand that hangs over the chair may look a little bit too masculine. I am only thinking in terms of the vanities of women in general and what objection she may have had. I am looking forward to seeing more of your work.

[Claudemir Bonfim]

Well, I suppose your question should be addressed to Andrey, the painting above is his.

[Lara Cannon]

Hello,

I can't stop myself from chiming in here. I think you have a beautiful painting. In my mind it is only a few steps away from spectacular. I'd love to see you glaze in a slightly deeper shadow and define ever so slightly the line of her neck, cheekbone and receding shoulder . Not so much a line but richness in the shadows. She also has a beautiful shadow on the curving back side of her lips I'd love to see glazed in ever so delicately. To emphasize the fullness and turning of her lips. The shadow that defines the end of her mouth where the top of the lip meets the lower lip would add a little drama to her mouth. It would be just adding a little dot angeling down but I think it would a beautiful addition.

I hope that is of some use to you,
Lara Cannon