Korean Couple
 

I am very excited about this painting. I first met Sara and her fiancee Christmas of last year. She was in traditional dress and he in US Marine uniform. I asked if they would model for me one day. Last month she called to ask if we could begin. Here is phase one 24" x 36." You guidance is much appreciated.

Photo Source
 

Here is the photo source...

This will be lovely!

I am wondering about her right hand which hangs down at her side. It doesn't show in the reference. Are you planning to show it or something? It looks like it. Is it too short? If you are uncertain, perhaps it is best left behind. If that is the beginnings of the hand, I would suggest that it be perhaps a whole hand length farther down.

What great subjects. It's easy to see why you are excited about this.

Sleeve and Hand
 

The wonderful models had left after I realized the need to break up the linear symmetry of dress. I chose another photo and flipped it to incorporate lovely sleeve and hand. I will try several methods to check size and position tomorrow. I do not like combining photo sources, but this is an important element to the design. I hope I can make it work.

I love the subject matter! This will be a nice portrait. :thumbsup:

Check the amount of space between her left (our right) thumb and his body. It looks a little wider in the underpaint. I like the way the skirt flows from the wind in the second resource. Beautiful colors to work with!

Good luck,
Renee Price

Dear Jeanine,

You can successfully combine these photos. Your viewing position has not changed; the thing to keep in mind is that the angle of the light has changed between photos. Fortunately the lighting is somewhat diffused; however, you will need to think about how you want to commit to the light direction, mainly on the skirt. I think you can accomplish this by emphasizing different color temperatures, and thereby avoid two equal and conflicting light sources.

I know these Korean wedding gowns, and they are gorgeous. It is also their nature to be very stiff, so I like that you have a windblown skirt, rather than having to try to invent one. What wonderful subjects!

Yes, that hand looks right with that new reference. She is petite indeed!

:sunnysmil Jeanine,

What a handsome couple, she is very delicate and petite and he is tall and handsome. One little thing, in your underpainting check the corners of her mouth. They seem to turn down a bit more than in the photo. I have a habit of doing this and have to constantly check for the proper angle of the lips. I use a mirror and look at it over my shoulder and can usually pick it up.

It will be a fun one to paint.

Alicia

Take caution
 

The lighting on the "new" hand and arm is opposite from the light source on the figures.

Progress Report
 

So far. The plan here is to get sufficient detail on the faces to work the background as a function of them. (This is not my usual approach which is to work the entire painting at once.) Your comments are treasured!

Phase 2 Detail
 

Detail of faces. She is further from light source (sun) but fairer in complexion. My goal is to establish major planes and values here with basic skin tones so I can go into the rest of the painting with some confidence! Then I expect to return to faces and work this until the painting sings like lovebirds.

It is looking great! I can almost hear it!

HEY-Y-Y... stay with it! You are really homing in on it! Nice. It's a new method, I know, but that's the excitement that we seek. Hang in there, it just may be the method that you're seeking. Then, again, it may not. But ain't it great!

Her dress
 

I hope I'm not boring you all with these progress reports. Your feedback helps me through the day!

Korean Couple Phase 3
 

Here's the image. I am working in order of importance. Even when there are two people in a painting, isn't it a good idea to have only one be the primary focus? She would be my choice, although it will be a challenge to keep him from standing out in that handsome uniform!