Kristin, incomplete
 

Kristin is the daughter of an artist and an artist in her own right. She is magnificent as a nude - very Rockwell Kent! Her arched eyebrows and sharp edges make her almost too strong!

This is very wet, hence highly reflective and not very easy to see, right off the easel tonight.

I would not mind working it into a more finished piece. Would welcome suggestions on what to do with it from here. No photo reference, just the picture and my paints to work from.

It is 20" x 18" and I think I may re-stretch it if the edges don't work. Next post is the close up, which shows what I DO like about it.

Detail of face and eyes.
 

I am happy with the looseness but not with the overall piece.

Gorgeous color and hair!

Dear Debra,

Beautiful work, Debra. It's really hard to get this much work done in the three-hour Open Studio sessions with oil paint, and you ought to be very proud of yourself. Lots of energy and lush color.

I think I've painted this model many times myself. She has a great smile. Not that I like to paint teeth or anything.

Linda

Light Values
 

This is so rich!

I would pay attention to the values of your highlights which appear to be taken from the same pile of paint. As you move down the face, they may read better if they got darker in relation to the local color.

Before making any comment about re-stretching, I would like to see the backgound complete.

Great painting!

Thanks all.
 

Howdy Linda!

Kristin is part-time waiting tables at Mabel Murpheys, right next door to my little new gallery on Main Street, but formerly helped out at Tuppy Long's Gallery. She has a cohort, Cara who has a bright gold braid and almost can't help smiling!

Kristin is the hardest to capture and, by the way, I didn't get her here, I am sure you are thinking of Cara.

Jeanine, you are seeing the flare and reflection from the lights on wet paint in the shadows. I have not had time to try to scan or photograph it yet. The values are MUCH darker, but as there is less detail in the shadows, I left the flare there.

Odd you say finish the background as that is exactly the reason for posting! So feel free to suggest.

Backgrounds are my bane and the restretching would solve all that. ;)

Cool
 

I would go cool in the background to set off the warm figure and bring her forward. A shadow would add drama. An unfinished look is exciting also!

Try to avoid overcropping. This portrait deserves some air around her beautiful head, especially in the direction of her gaze.

Hello Debra:

I might recommend removing the light flare around the head and going with a background that is more indicative of a natural setting - i.e., a solid color or a gradation that you would find in nature - top to bottom, bottom to top, etc. The light flare around the head is a tool of photographers and suggests "photo" rather than "painting".

It really is great work for a three-hour session. I am amazed! :)

To clarify.
 

I think the confusion I am reading has to do with the glare from photographing wet paint.
I stuck the face in my scanner, as it is dry enough now, so you can see the values.

Much better!
 

Thank you for re-posting! This is wonderful!