Sally
 

Sally is my next door neighbor. I approached her last week about doing my first oil painting from life with her as my victim. She has an incredible face, hair and amazing eyes! They are pale, pale, green grey eyes with dark circles around the iris. When I asked her to model she was really excited, she doesn't have a clue as to how beautiful she is. She is most comfortable in overalls and wants to wear them for the portrait. I hope to gently nudge her to something a little more formal! I do see her outdoors, and since fall colors are at their peak here right now I need to get her out soon. I plan to do color studies on site which I will use when I'm painting inside.

Since she's more of an outdoor person I'll have to take pictures for reference. Wisconsin weather changes hourly in the fall and leaves drop by the minute, so I need to get in gear and GO TO WORK. Any suggestions?

Jean:

A plein-aire portrait, WOW! Sounds like it will be a great but challenging start to painting from life. I might recommend simply pulling her inside for a few sessions beforehand and doing some head studies. Put her next to a window (north if possible) and do a few studies from life. That will give you a lot of information about her facial structure, proportions, coloring, etc. It will also show you how wonderfully natural light models the form and give you an idea of what you will want to look for in your outdoor setting.

You are going to have a challenge painting her outside as you will be seeing a constantly moving target with the light changing as the day goes on.

Dear Jean,

I agree with Michael. To begin with every possible variable at its most challenging is an enormous task. If you begin your work with at least the lighting variable under your control, all will be much more fluid.

As for clothing, I think overalls are very difficult, since they tend to be very stiff and fail to move with the underlying form. Closer fitting blue jeans can still fit the desire for "informal" and will be more manageable to paint. A shirt in a very soft jersey, even a t-shirt type material is better than a stiffer denim shirt or oxford-type shirt or bulky sweater. (It's what I chose for my own self portrait in this example: http://forum.portraitartist.com/show...5&pagenumber=1)

Like the light, I think it's better to choose clothing that won't fight you either. Leave the formal clothing and more complicated setting for a future portrait.

Sally
 

Hi Michael,

Sally will be a challenge and fun. Her face is dynamic so I'm not going to try for a photographic representation. I'm sure it would be good for me to loosen up, lose some edges, try to catch light instead of being so exacting. I do like your idea of brining her inside for some studies though, so will try to do that first. Guess I'm jumping in the deep end here.

At least its not a commission!

Jean

Sally less challenging
 

Hello again, I'm going to take these suggestions to bed with me. Maybe I am ahead of myself.

Chris, I'm going to show her your self portrait to help convince her to leave the overalls for the garden. I've already suggested to her to wear something that she won't mind seeing herself in for the next 20 years or so. I know something formal is out of the question!

I appreciate the help, sometimes I need a leash. Thanks!

Jean

Sally
 

Well, first meeting down. She chose a soft white t-shirt that picks up and reflects light beautifully. All we really did was talk, while I looked, watched the light, colors, reflections. You're right Michael, north light is a beautiful thing. I took some pictures to compare what I saw from life with what the camera did. The difference was astounding. Hair, skin tones, fabric folds, EVERYTHING was sharper and oranger in the photo than in reality. She felt that she photographed horribly and it was easy to see why. Her features are very strong and the camera accentuates them. In reality those same strong features are riveting and exciting, but SO much softer. I'm very lucky to have her next door.

Chris, I am going to use your suggestion today and ask her what she feels are her best features. At first, I'm sure she would have said none, but she's getting a little looser after yesterday!

If this darn back brace permits, I'm going to try sketching today. William's demo on NuPastel drawing has inspired me.

Jean

Sally
 

Along with sketching today, I did take some shots of her that I would like comments on. She doesn't believe that she's photogenic but I disagree!! I like both, what are your feelings?

Pose #1.. I like the drama of this even though its not a standard face shot. Picture behind her head would be removed and my knee (at the bottom) would be replaced with her foot. I know she would love to have the cat in the painting.

Sally
 

Pose #2..Again picture would be removed from background, and I'd either remove or straighten the window frame. This one would probably be better, it would show off her incredible eyes. She also believes these to be her best feature. I feel blessed to have such a willing and fun model to work with. She is very animated though, I had fun sketching her but ended up with action scribbles. She talks with her hands and wriggles constantly!

Thanks.

Jean

Hi Jean,

I like #2 the best since you can see her face but I wonder how hard it might be for you to paint all the details because of the strong shadow on most of her face. But I do like the composition except for her legs, I think I would get rid of them and just have her head and torso.

Is this just a standard 4x6? You may already know about this but just in case it has been extremely helpful for me; I go to Kinkos and use a Kodak machine where you can crop what ever you want, i.e. the face and blow it up to an 8x10. The machine also allows you to adjust the brightness and contrast of the photo which would make it much easier to see all the details. And it is pretty inexpensive about $5. Anyway, just thought I'd mention that. But of course if your using a digital camera, just ignore the last paragraph.:)

Best wishes to you and a quick recovery!

Hi Carolyn
 

I have a digital camera, so can crop and blow up and zoom in and do all that stuff on the computer. I'm still learning how to use it, finally figured out how to turn the flash off.

I'm not worried about getting details of her face as she lives next door. To date I've spent about four hours with her sketching and watching light and how it plays on different fabrics, facial features, and shadows. She's a very willing participant in my learning experience. I've found that I can't draw or paint when someone is talking to me, seems my verbal ability shuts down. And if my concentration is broken, my hand freezes. I've read of Sargent's ability to carry on witty conversations with his clients while creating. I don't believe I'll ever have that talent. (Sally talks.)

I've lengthened the picture and added their Siamese cat on the back of the couch. I've decided to go with it (even with the legs) and am working on the underpainting now. I've never done this before so a learning experience all around.

Thank you for the best wishes. Unfortunately a speedy recovery isn't in the future. My spine is degenerating, (genetic) so pain relief and stabilizing is the main goal. The brace really decreases pain and I'm learning to cope with the limited mobility. Painting really helps the most!

Jean

Hi, Jean.

I like number two. The only thing I would say about this is that I'd like to see you take the same photo again with a reflector of some kind on the right side, bouncing light back into the shadows, illuminating the right side of her face (our right, her left). A large mirror propped against a chair will work. Just position it so that you can see the reflected light from the window, projected onto the dark side of her face. Just a suggestion. Even a large piece of cardboard covered with aluminum foil would work.

I'm sorry to hear that you are in pain. I wish there was something that could help.

Reflector
 

Hi Linda,

Will a large piece of white foamcore work? Thought I read that somewhere. The only mirrors I have are attached to the bathroom walls! I'll also see if Sally has one. Or will put aluminum on the foamcore. Thanks for the suggestion.

Oil is SO different from working with my fabric paint. I thought I would magically remember all I learned before, but I'm beginning to realize that I didn't really know very much. Never underpainted, never considered skin tone (my nudes were headless and blue/grey/green), never noticed "natural" light, etc. And I was the best in my class!!!

I told my husband that this is what heaven is. Paint, brushes, canvas and the aroma of oil paint. I'm happy.

Thank you for your concern and well wishes. I'm now seeing the best spine doc in Madison and he's a nut too. Great sense of humor. Bracing has decreased the pain level but is a pain in the arse!

Jean

Jean,

I had trouble switching from pastel to oil until I started painting on rigid textured (linen or canvas) lead-primed panels. The other thing I was doing wrong was trying to use the paint too wet. Someone told me to try using "no" medium at all. As soon as I started putting "dryish" paint on this lovely slippery texture, everything fell into place. It went on like pastel goes on Canson paper.

I use a little medium now, but not nearly as much as I tried to use originally. My favorite medium is:
two parts black oil
one part double mastic varnish
one part turpentine( or oil of spike)

I also use Trekell bristle brushes, for nice resistance and softish edges.

Jean,

I hope you don't mind that I doodled with your image. What do you think of this?

I like your version better Mike.

I couldn't resist trying this also. I love the colors.

Wow
 

Yes, I like your version better Mike. And, no, I don't mind your playing with the image. I only get a little "touchy" when someone messes with the actual art. (But since I have the original its a moot point).

And Linda, wow! That's really nice. What did you do! And I really like the colors too. How can I print this out? Could you e-mail it to me? Its neat.

Jean

That image is just using Mike's version of the photo, saving it to my files, and then using the "watercolor filter" on it, from Adobe Photoshop. I have found that using those filters really helps me to see the painting that is there. It just simplifies the values and takes away the distracting details. I'll send it to you by email.

More on my saga
 

A plein air portrait in late fall in Wisconsin is not my idea of fun. Snow, icy rain, wind, leaves blowing on everything, a model who hates cold, and me in a back brace! Things sometimes don't work as planned. So we've been working indoors. So what's the concept? We've decided to show a pensive, reflective, softer side of her personality that usually is hidden.. Wonderful soft colors (instead of my usual brights). I'm painting now, will post the underpainting soon under critiques.

Progress
 

After kicking my feet and being stubborn for a few days, I have come to the realization that my composition is simply not as good as what Linda and Mike came up with. Many thanks to you both. I've redone and started over and things are progressing nicely. With all the appreciation I can muster, thank you for being such gracious and generous teachers.

Jean

So what's the problem?

(In my entire life I never thought I - Montana raised, Minnesota resident when in the U.S., black-belt hater of being cold - would ever say it, but I haven't seen a real autumn and oncoming winter for a while, much less snow, and gosh, I sure do miss it. (I don't get spring's renewing energies after winter's challenge, either.) Reading your description is almost like hearing the U.S. national anthem played when you're far from home.)

If you're not starting out with reference material that you're in love with and can hardly sleep in anticipation of getting started -- instead of in dread of figuring out how you're going to pull it off -- stop the lesson. Regroup, and simplify. If you want informal, do a photo shoot in the kitchen, or the woodshed. Or focus on the portrait instead of the setting, let the background and context be merely background and context for now. A suggestion can be as powerful as a thesis, if deftly handled.

I have to say that I don't find any images at all posted in this thread. I don't know why -- were there any?. Maybe next time I sign on they'll be there. Sorry I can't speak to specifics.

Steven:

Walk out your door and visit the beach for us today.

Jean: Looking forward to your underpainting. :)

Conceptualize
 

Hi Steven,

Glad I could blow some cold Wisconsin air your way. I'm actually a cold weather person also, I just can't seem to get comfortable outside with this brace on. And if I'm not comfortable I can't draw. Since this is a learning experience all around I thought I would share some of the disasters along with plans and dreams.

Disaster #1: Sally talks, my brain shuts down if I have to do two things at once. It refuses to draw, paint, or connect in any way with my hand if I have to listen or speak back.

Disaster #2: The brace, enough said or I will start whining.

Disaster #3: Due to numbers 1 and 2, my sketches are horrible. I won't post something here that I know I can do better on. There will be time in the future for sketching something that I feel I can post with some pride.

Since this topic area is for concepts, I felt that I should post pictures or any preliminary work under their appropriate section. So you'll find photos under resources, when I'm ready to post the underpainting it will be under oil critique. I figure that the concept is in my brain so I'm trying to be verbal (quite a challenge for me)!

Fall in Wisconsin:

The aroma of an apple orchard and crunch of a good tart apple, leaves a foot thick crunching and rustling while you walk, crisp clean air, frost in the morn, rich reds, gold, and yellows under a brilliant blue sky, geese flying south in formation, squirrels stealing food and hiding it in trees, cinnamon, pumpkin, gourds and squash. I love fall in Wisconsin.

Close your eyes, Steven, and pretend you're here for a minute.

Jean

Sally
 

Hello again, There has been some resolution of my disasters. I spent the afternoon yesterday with Sally, and tried changing my perspective instead of trying to change her. She talked and expressed away while I only tried to see color and shapes instead of line. I put out my boxes of pastels ( I keep them in old check book boxes with a cushion of rice) and a supply of cheap paper in front of me. Then I got myself comfortable. If I lean in any way I can't breath, I need to breath so that became a priority!

I now have a collection of color and shapes, I know what they mean although they don't look like much to someone else. I also have a new gift from this experience. I have made a new friend.

I'm posting all this "stuff" for two reasons: First, where there is a will there must be a way. Problem solving skills are absolutely necessary for me to continue this work. Second, maybe someone reading this will get an inspiration or at least a chuckle out of the recording of "normal" life problems of a beginning portrait artist.

Jean

Jean, sometimes I find that when I verbalize a problem to others, I can see a solution more easily. It helps sometimes just to be able to "talk" about it to someone who knows what you're talking about. For that reason, these forums are incredibly valuable. For all of my 54 years, being an artist has meant being isolated. All that has changed now because of technology. Sharing your problems and solutions helps all of us. You never know who you will reach out there.

Exactly! You are all reaching me! :) And I thank you!

I thought this was a dead topic
 

Thanks, Linda and Carolyn.

I didn't think people were still reading my saga. Guess so, lots off views! Maybe I'm not the only one tripping and falling through this journey. I'm a new grandma again (for the third time)! Now I have a newborn to paint too. Another boy, that makes 3 out of 3. I see the spine doc tomorrow for the next type of torture he wants to impose on me.

Carolyn, I'm glad you're back and posting. I've missed you.

Linda, watch for an e-mail, I'm still trying to figure out how to put my beds on the computer.

Jean ;C