King of Southbeach

Doreen Lepore · 07-20-2002, 08:31 AM

Hi,

This guy was selling beads in Southbeach, Miami, FL some time ago. I took his picture and recently did this pastel painting of him, adding the tiled background. It's 16x20 on gray pastelboard. The source photo can't be scanned in right now because I haven't figured out how to attach old scanner to new computer. However, the likeness is good. Just want to know what you think problem areas are.

Lon Haverly · 07-26-2002, 04:23 PM

Interesting character! Interesting background, too. The expression in the face captures his personality.

The arms look a bit short. His right hand (viewer's left) appears to need more work. It does not explain the finger that is out of view.

Your highlights appear to be a bit cartoonish, around the face and hands. Perhaps just too white, or overused. The same highlight on the upper part of the hands exists on the lower side.

The shadows of the yellow shirt perhaps need a different color than orange as well, to create detail in the shadow.

Doreen Lepore · 07-27-2002, 07:05 AM

Thanks for the critique, Lon.

The highlights have been bothering me too, maybe I need a lower color and a bit less. The original photo was taken in the shade and when I first did the painting I kept the highlights low and his face was too dark, so I overcompensated. The yellow "shirt" is a plastic rain slicker, that was way too big for him, so that could be part of my problem with the arms, I'll study it more, and although the slicker is ugly, didn't want to change it. One thing about him that I did change and don't know if I should have was that he was in a wheelchair, should I have put that in?

Thanks again.

Lon Haverly · 07-27-2002, 01:10 PM

Your choice on the wheel chair, in my view. Perhaps you are right about the slicker tricking the eye. Also, nothing like seeing the painting in person. Don't put too much stock in these critiques.