Portrait Artist Forum - View Single Post

Mike Dodson · 08-04-2003, 09:47 AM

Steven,

First of all, thanks so much for your time spent on this painting and yes, by all means, the editing example performed with Photoshop was of great assistance to me in understanding your critique.

I'll certainly modify the background with a toned down version of the red walls but I still want to keep it as close to the reference as possible without it becoming a distraction. The photo of the painting of the walls, as is the case with the dress, is more intense than the actual paintin but still distracting to the viewer.

Great points concerning the reflection in the mirror. I think my edges in the reflection weren't as lost as they should be because I was exerting so much energy in keeping the structural areas straight and parallel. This is an area I certainly need to spend more time, maybe some still life studies would help. Your points on the hair are well taken and appear quite obvious now
that you have pointed it out.

I will certainly be revising this painting and will post the modifications. Again, your critique has been most helpful.

Kimberly,

Thanks for the reply. The soft edge on the side of her face was painted that way to show that particular area as receding and to maintain the "roundness" (for lack of a better word) that a face needs to have in order to keep it from looking too flat. I don't have the painting in front of me currently but will observe this area again and will re-check the nostril location against the reference photo later this evening.

08-04-2003, 09:47 AM	#7
Mike Dodson Juried Member Joined: Feb 2003 Location: Centreville, AL Posts: 306	Steven, First of all, thanks so much for your time spent on this painting and yes, by all means, the editing example performed with Photoshop was of great assistance to me in understanding your critique. I'll certainly modify the background with a toned down version of the red walls but I still want to keep it as close to the reference as possible without it becoming a distraction. The photo of the painting of the walls, as is the case with the dress, is more intense than the actual paintin but still distracting to the viewer. Great points concerning the reflection in the mirror. I think my edges in the reflection weren't as lost as they should be because I was exerting so much energy in keeping the structural areas straight and parallel. This is an area I certainly need to spend more time, maybe some still life studies would help. Your points on the hair are well taken and appear quite obvious now that you have pointed it out. I will certainly be revising this painting and will post the modifications. Again, your critique has been most helpful. Kimberly, Thanks for the reply. The soft edge on the side of her face was painted that way to show that particular area as receding and to maintain the "roundness" (for lack of a better word) that a face needs to have in order to keep it from looking too flat. I don't have the painting in front of me currently but will observe this area again and will re-check the nostril location against the reference photo later this evening.