An unusual request for body parts.
 

There is photographer in town that photographs baby body parts. I had someone ask me would I paint or draw the same? I told her I would think about it and get back to her.

So, I put Liza on the sofa with my black Gap skirt in front of a window to see if I could photograph something similar to what she describes. When I loaded my disk to the computer I was SO HAPPY with the results, of course this is MY baby and Im sure that plays a part. So now I have a series of her "body parts" and I plan to print these out and frame them all together. Which is what this mother has asked me to do of her baby, only she wants it done in a series of small paintings.

I'm curious as to what you think of this idea, and if you think these would be good reference material. I personally love them as they are, but am not sure what I think about doing what has been asked of me? Your honest opinions are valued.

And
 

a hand.

Another
 

hand.

Her
 

Face.

Discovering
 

her hands.

I won't bore you with any more
 

I'm sure by now you get the point.

Would you do this? I'm very undecided. If you would, what medium?

I think these would be great paintings! Any medium would do.

It would be important that each image be instantly "readable" and not present any confusion as to what it was. I was confused as to what the shape on the right was in the first photo you posted. It was immediately clear that the shape on the lower left was a baby foot but I wasn't sure what the other shapes were at first.

How did you set up the lighting? I'm not sure what you meant by your use of the "black Gap skirt."

Michelle,
 

I literally put a black skirt from the Gap on my khaki sofa so that it would be a black background.;) and the only lighting I used was from the windows. There was a sofa directly behind the sofa (that is why her fingers are so bright in the one of her on her back) and then there was a window to the left of the sofa. The arms on that sofa are very low, so most of the light that fell on her came from the left.

One more question..
 

What size would you do these for a series that will hang together?

I always like paintings life size. They seem more real to me.

Mary,

She is so adorable. Congratulations for such good works (both baby and pictures).

I would probably use pastel or watercolor for a more liberated expression, add more color on the background, maybe color coordinated series on each pictures (Rose, pink, orange, peach...). For the size I would do less than 10 inches square (10" X 10" or 8" X 8"), and frame them separated, but hang them together.

If you think this is not enough, then do a larger one or an oil later; you will need much more energy to finish them all.

Genway Gao:)

Dear Mary,

My congratulations to you, too!

I think you should really do a number of trials with your own baby before committing to the body part client. There are things that we will accept in a photo that aren't always accepted in a painting.

I think it is almost impossible to depict a greatly foreshortened hand (or foot, or anything) unless you have a great deal of practice from life (you can do this with your husband in the evening) because the camera both flattens foreshortened forms, as well as distorts their perspective, at least in most situations. It's difficult enough with an adult, but the tiny scale and soft, indisinct forms of a baby will add another dimension to the challenge.

Try some images yourself first. It seems like a good idea to first experiment with monochrome materials, whether oil, pastel, charcoal, etc., then see what you will need to do by way if fading the image into the background, so you aren't left having to explain the body part to which your subject body part is attached. You might try white charcoal pencil on a dark paper.

You'll also want to notice even tiny photo problems before you get started...for example in your last image, "Discovering her hands", you can see that her nose forms an odd tangent with the cheek...the only solution to this kind of thing is take a lot of pictures.

Mary,

Wow, these are beautiful! I wish mine were this little again for just a day to photograph them like this! I say go for it - I love unusual requests.