Photo Input

[Justin Snodgrass]

I have done two paintings of my daughter, and now I need to do at least one of my son before he gets too big (time flies!). The first image is the original photo. The second photo has been altered with photoshop and gives a better idea of where I want to go with the painting.

I am honestly pretty happy with the image as a starting point, which makes me a bit concerned that I am missing something.

The painting will be large by the way; most likely 70" x 48" or 60" x 40".

I know that the concept of image editing makes some good folks around here cringe. I am hoping that we can save that debate for another thread.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thank You,

Justin

[Michael Georges]

I don't like that we cannot see his hands. I pick at my fingernails and that is almost the exact pose I take when I get into "pick mode". I would extend the painting down to show the hands. Have him holding something or doing something more attractive with them. My 2c.

[Justin Snodgrass]

Thanks for the input Michael. I see your point. I had originally considered cropping the arms out to keep the primary focus on his face (see image below). It is funny that you mention the finger picking. I think I am partially driven to keep the arms because it seems to go along with the slight anxious nature of the image as a whole. I was drawn to this picture because of the way it seemed to fit my son's personality so well; a gentle, old soul while still a timid and fragile child. The background is a sort of symbolic representation of the dualism of life in which he must exist. The impending thunderstorm being the raw brutality of life, while the lush scenery and illuminated sky represent the joy and amazement.

With that being said, I am torn between extending the painting down to show the hands as they are (fidgeting) and just leaving them out all together. I am a bit concerned that both options might be too much. Leaving them out (as in the image below) seems to add a sense of heroism which would not fit as well. On the other hand, showing more of the hands fidgeting may overemphasis the anxiousness.

I think the problem for me is that I love the picture and how it fits so well. I almost don't want to stray too far in fear of loosing the feeling it gives me. I am concerned though that the half cropped arms will be distracting.

At any rate, I didn't mean to carry on. Thanks for the input. I appreciate it.

-Justin

[Julie Deane]

My vote is for the closeup without the hands.

[Justin Snodgrass]

Thank you Julie.

[Terri Ficenec]

Hi Justin,

Just want to suggest that in painting you might want to slightly alter the background to avoid tangents -- the way the edge of the road runs right into his shoulder and the way his head falls right in line with the treeline, by maybe pulling the background slightly to the left & down. Also may want to get rid of that pile behind his other shoulder...

[Patricia Joyce]

I vote for the cropped image as well. This can be powerful, good luck!

[Justin Snodgrass]

Wow, thanks Terri. Those are things that I had not even considered. Great advise.

Thanks for the vote Patricia.

I'm sold on the cropped version with the adjusted background. Time to build a canvas.

Thanks again.

[Mike McCarty]

The painting will be large by the way; most likely 70" x 48" or 60" x 40".

Using your smallest estimate above my rough calculations put your son's head at almost 20"!

Are you sure you want to do that?

[Justin Snodgrass]

Using your smallest estimate above my rough calculations put your son's head at almost 20"!

Are you sure you want to do that?

Hopefully I won't be stoned for saying so, but the smallest oil portrait that I have done thus far was 48" X 48". The two that I did of my daughter are on 48" x 60" canvases. Her head is over 30" in both cases. There is something about the power of over life-size that I can't seem to resist.

Here is a 48' X 60' of my daughter: