Hand too small?

[Barbara Mae Hudson]

Hello everyone!

I am having a little trouble with this portrait.

It is still very much a work in progress but I am hoping to finish it within the next week because the subect is leaving to live in Paris very soon.

As you will see, I have had to make some changes to her hands in the reference photo, for obvious reasons. I don't like having to use quess work but I went ahead anyway.

I feel that the hand on top is too small......do you agree?

I am also toying with the idea of placing something in her hand....any ideas?

Also, any other suggestions will be gratefully received.

Thanks for looking.

Barbara

[Marcus Lim]

Originally Posted by Barbara Mae Hudson

I feel that the hand on top is too small......do you agree?

Hi i think the hand on top needs a little reshaping - the triangle of her hand's a little too acute. I tried with my own hand and seems a little more lower, and base flatter. But i think the greater issue is the left hand, because i seem to find that is the root to many more sizing problems in the portrait.

I used your original photograph and measured it using the red lines. Apparently the thickness of the left wrist is smaller than the nose (i used the nose as a comparison guide) and the actual length of the left hand is about the width of the face.

Originally Posted by Barbara Mae Hudson

I am also toying with the idea of placing something in her hand....any ideas?

I like how the hand is placed on her reference photo, so maybe you might consider doing the same.

Hope i've been helpful here Barbara.

[Barbara Mae Hudson]

Thanks for that Marcus.

I think that you have convinced me not to fudge around too much with reference photo's and your suggestion about leaving the hand as in the reference photo might be the way to go.

Having said that, I think that I will still alter her far hand as it looks uncomfortable, that should be easier to do because at least I'll have the hands in the same places and don't have to worry about perspective.

Thanks again Marcus.

Barbara

[Marcus Lim]

You're welcome barbara. Reference photos serve their purpose for us to refer to the subject, so i think fudging around is great. Having said that, it'll be more beneficial to "test the waters" before fudging - either by sketches or by having yourself to test the pose first before committing. I know i usually do the latter before anything else.
So keep your options and creativity open with photos.

[Chris Saper]

Hi Barbara,

I think that her right hand is too small, and the left is too large. What I would do in this kind of situation is photograph some stand-in hands from the same angle, with the same light source -then repaint both hands. As it is, her right hand in its present position couldn't occur unless she was leaning far away from us.

If you decide to photograph some stand-in hands, I would think about changing their position so that the fingertips don't lead the viewer's eye out of the canvas. The fingertips now form a tangent with the edge of the canvas. I think that you could have her hold a china teacup which would allow you to bring her hands and forearms up and support your center of interest.

Just a few other notes - you might recheck the hairline's shape and position. Also attend to the sofa - as the light striking the sofa should be compatible with the light striking everything else.

I think you have done a really fabulous job lighting and photographing your model - this would be lovely as a head/shoulders piece as well.

Kindest regards,

[Garth Parker]

Hi Barbara,
I like your lighting and this style of portrait. I believe you made a good choice on your photo reference. I

[Alexandra Tyng]

Barbara,

I really like your concept and color choices.

About the hands, I agree with the suggestions Chris has made. I was going to say that, if your model has to leave before you can take some more shots of her hands, you could ask someone else to pose and try a couple of other hand positions. But Chris beat me to it! When I'm doing a commissioned portrait I always schedule several sittings even if I have to do the entire thing by reference photos, because I don't often anticipate the details I need or the changes and adjustments I feel are necessary once I look at all the photos.

I would also take another look at the face. The farther (right) eye and nose seem to be in proportion to each other, but the nearer (left) eye is placed too high. If you look at the reference photo, there is a very slight downward slant from L to R (I'm referring to the picture plane now) which is lost in the translation. The mouth in the photo also slants down compared to the mouth in the painting. This discrepancy gives her a different, slightly tense, expression, and the near side of her face has become too elongated. Yes, and the forehead is a different size and shape. These measurement problems all stem, I am guessing, from the incorrect eye slant. If you correct it, the other proportions will fall into place.

I hope I am not being too discouraging. The likeness is really almost there.

Alex

[Barbara Mae Hudson]

Thank you Chris, Jerome and Alex.

As you can see, I have been making some adjustments taking note of all that has been said.

I am worried at this stage that I may be going into 'overkill' and starting to fiddle. There is still plenty of scope for more detail on the top.....which looks more like a dress now! However, I am inclined to leave out a lot of the detail in the top. Do you agree?

Chris. Your advice was invaluable and I have worked on all of your suggestions. I hope that I haven't taken your suggestion of her holding a cup too far by adding the table with the rather flat looking saucer on it which I intend to adjust.

Alex. I have only just read your post and I will be working on your suggestions when I go back to the easel so thanks for that.

Thanks again everyone

Barbara

[Barbara Mae Hudson]

I forgot to add in my message to Chris that she is right about it the possiblity for a great head/shoulder painting. I have cropped it (above) and I think that I like the head and shoulders better than the original.

Barbara