Capturing light help on Ruth WIP

Dianne Gardner · 03-28-2005, 10:54 AM

This is my first post here in the critique forum. I finally got enough nerve to show my work. I am in awe at the beautiful portraits I have been viewing here. It is my desire to improve so please critique!

I began this painting with a live sitting. Its is a 36 X 24. Unfortunately I didn't finish it in the 3 hours of the open studio but I did take photos. The photos did not turn out well at all so I plan on bringing the model back to work on her hands. I am also going to work on the lighting more. I have found though that I am having difficulty finding a color for the part of her dress that is shadowed. The dress has flowers and colors throughout it and is somewhat sheer in some places. I would like to keep it suggestive so as to keep the face the focal point but I am not happy with what I have. I am thinking there is not enough contrast. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thank you. Also, critique on the face is welcomed.

Dianne

Kimber Scott · 03-30-2005, 06:21 PM

I really don't have much to say as far as critique. I don't feel near qualified with all the other talent running around here. I did want to speak to the sensitivity with which this is painted. You are doing such a wonderful job. I'm anxious to see it finished. I'm thinking you're doubting yourself before it's time for doubt. Keep going. Get the value in on the dark side of the dress and the pattern should fall into place.

Dianne Gardner · 03-30-2005, 07:19 PM

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, Kimber. I decided on bringing back my model and taking some more photos of her as I didn't have time to paint with her again. I chose to redo her feet barefoot as I think it adds a little something to the overall image. Did a little work on her arm and such.

Thanks for looking.

Dianne

Michele Rushworth · 03-31-2005, 09:50 PM

Hi Diane and welcome to another fellow Washinton State resident!

I like the brushwork and color you have going here -- very fresh. I think you're right though that there is a problem with the lighting. The very strong cast shadow under her chin indicates to me that there should be other similar shadows all over the place, to define the forms and make the painting seem less flat. In particular, there should be an almost identical cast shadow under the nose and the areas above the eyes, under the browbone, should also be in shadow.

The photos you took will not be of much (if any) help regarding color but they should tell you where the shadows were.

Good luck and I hope to see you posting often.

- Michele

Dianne Gardner · 03-31-2005, 10:30 PM

Hello Michele,
It would seem like there should be shadows there, and I will study the photos some more. I think I may have painted them but not to the contrast of the others. I'll make a note of it tomorrow.
Thanks so much for your critique.

Dianne

Marcus Lim · 03-31-2005, 11:24 PM

Hi Dianne,
I've taken the liberty to make some adjustments to your image of your painting, as an illustration of my opinion to how you can enhance the painting. What i see here is a wonderful painting, with the need to adjust some values to some parts of the painting. I wonder if they hit the right note with you

?