Sally

Jean Kelly · 10-27-2002, 11:58 PM

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?

Michael Georges · 10-28-2002, 12:29 AM

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.

Chris Saper · 10-28-2002, 12:43 AM

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.

Jean Kelly · 10-28-2002, 12:45 AM

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

Jean Kelly · 10-28-2002, 01:03 AM

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

Jean Kelly · 10-29-2002, 12:46 PM

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

Jean Kelly · 10-29-2002, 10:12 PM

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.

Jean Kelly · 10-29-2002, 10:19 PM

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

Carolyn Ortiz · 10-31-2002, 12:30 AM

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!

Jean Kelly · 10-31-2002, 12:57 PM

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