The dancer

Monique McFarland · 03-17-2006, 02:33 PM

Here is a ref. photo for a painting I'm about to start. I am attaching the original photo, then my touched up version, cropped and leveled out like I want it. (notice the ballet bar behind her head).

What do you think about this photo? Is this a good ref. photo for a painting or does it just make for a great photo? I'm shooting for a local show called "The Art of the Dance" and thought this was very striking!

Is there a tangent problem with the top bar behind her? I do need to retain the proper distance from the floor/wall line up to the bar...I am going to include the bar...adds to the "dancing" theme, of course...I think I need it in there.

Opinions, anyone?

Monique

P.S. In the "touched up" version, also note the light glare I removed and the leg/chair I "painted back in" in photoshop...ALSO, I accidentally saved the altered version with a little "fill flash" having been applied..I had done this so that the print out would come out a little brighter, but plan on painting in the darker shadows on her face as the original photo shows. I forgot to undo it before I hit save...and that is the only copy that has the glare removed..I printed a darker copy to paint by and just will remember that the saved version is too light. or is it? lol

Michele Rushworth · 03-17-2006, 05:37 PM

I think this is a great photo and would be lots of fun to paint.

Mischa Milosevic · 03-18-2006, 04:44 PM

Grate photo for sure. I like the double lighting effect between light and reflected light. It looks like it has the makings for a excellent painting. The colors are quite there and interesting but maybe the values need to be adjusted some to give the figure better sense of form and space.

All the best,
m

Mark Youd · 03-18-2006, 06:55 PM

.

Allan Rahbek · 03-18-2006, 07:44 PM

Hi Monique,
this is a strong composition but I think that there is a problem with the foreshortening of the arms. I think that details are too crowded around her right arm, hand and elbow area. Details looks too small, compared to the overall composition, in that area.
Try to make a photo that explains things in a more simple way throughout the whole composition.
For instance, the ribs of the back of the chair tangent the body outline. This will be hard to deal with in a painting.
Allan

Monique McFarland · 03-19-2006, 11:51 AM

Thanks for all of your comments...this photo was taken by a professional photographer named Rick Elias out of California. I have received his permission to paint from it.....therefore, there will be no re-shooting, unfortunately. I looked back at my original post and notice I used the word "shooting" with regard to this show coming up...shooting for it...well, I realized that statement might have been misconstrued as though I was "shooting" photos for it, lol...nope, i'm "shooting" for it as in aiming for it...it was my goal, sorta thing...

I WISH I could photograph this sort of beautiful shot. I do admire his photography greatly..he is VERY talented.

A lot of times, as you all know...and have stated...many photos look wonderful as just that...photographic artwork...and do not make good paintings....being so new at this, I'm still struggling with that line in the sand. This is why I asked about this photo. I love the mood of it...just as my Rebecca painting...I like an emotion to be involved..a mysterious one is even better. I think that is what I like about this photo so much. It speaks volumes without saying a word.

I hadn't noticed the tangent in her body/chair area...hoping that won't be a problem. Her hand? foreshortening....well.....again, I HOPE that if I just paint what I see, it will read correctly...I may be setting myself up for a fall, but I'm not going to go into it with huge fears...

I have not painted in almost a month..if you saw my daily schedule with the three children and my husband's cattle business that i'm working on taxes for, you would know why!

SOOOO, I'm about ready to BUST. This week i'm going to start on this...I'm thinking on a little larger canvas..not too large, but is 16x20 large enough? should I go larger??? I want to blur a lot with this painting...this is very new to me..I'm a tight detailed painter but I do love very much the blurred look...sorta like Garth's work. You ALL know it....just breathtaking slightly blurred realism. LOVE IT.

Monique

Alexandra Tyng · 03-19-2006, 06:46 PM

Monique, this is such a striking photo and I think it will make a wonderful painting. The elements are balanced, everything off center by just enough to make it interesting, and the light is great.

The tangential lines should not be too hard to fix. You could bring the top barre up just a tad so it is above her head. Just start it a little higher on the right foreground, draw a line back at the same angle as it is to the corner, and bring it aross the back. The difference will be very subtle. The tangential line of the chair curve and her waist can be fixed by making the chair curve out more, or not as much, on both sides. These changes shouldn't be difficult.

I'm constantly amazed at the infinite variety of new ideas for compositions that people come up with every day. Have fun with this!

Monique McFarland · 03-19-2006, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexandra Tyng

Just start it a little higher on the right foreground, draw a line back at the same angle as it is to the corner, and bring it aross the back.

Boy oh boy....do I feel lost...lol....This sentence...I tried to understand what you are saying, but I'm having a highlighted blond moment and just, well, I just don't get it.... ??? Is it me? Please indulge me in a little more explanation... please? which foreground? the floor? the front of the bar? ok...I'm digging myself deeper and deeper here,

Thanks for the comments, by the way....I like that you are seeing potential in this photo..I really love it too. I have been VERY picky about what I wanted my version of "The Art of the Dance" to be...this did it for me. I'm not going to just paint a ballerina. I have an intention with my work and sometimes it becomes crippling to me. It has halted my painting desires for nearly a month...won't start without THE photo to go from. It was about to get the best of me until I settled with this one. Now I'm ready.

Monique

Monique McFarland · 03-19-2006, 07:22 PM

NOW I get it. You were looking at the larger, uncropped shot. I did not intend on using the larger version, but the cropped version with her as the focal point....shall I reconsider?????????????

I was going to use the crop as I showed it..without the other right side bars. Hadn't even considered using the full shot. THAT is what you were referring to as the foreground....AND that it was off center enough...wow.....I do need to reconsider, don't I. wow...glad I looked back at my post again. I forgot I had included the original shot..it is unlevel too..but I can fix that just as I did the cropped shot.

Thanks!!

Monique

Alexandra Tyng · 03-19-2006, 07:56 PM

Oh, Monique--sorry for the misunderstanding! Yes, I thought you were using the uncropped version. I admit having a preference for the full version, but that is just me. The cropped version with just the figure is also very fine and unique. Whichever you choose, I know it will be good. Sorry to confuse you.