Quick study in four colors

[Julia Scott]

This is my first posting in oil critiques. I did this painting from photo reference I took myself, just snaps done inside in very harsh lighting without a flash. But I liked the model and thought it would be fun for something quick.

I used four colors: titanium white, ivory black, terra rosa and yellow ochre. The canvas was deeply toned in terra rosa too. It's 18x24, I think, although I don't have it here with me.

I have been trying to work faster and more loosely. I didn't trace or project the photo or do any underdrawing at all. Total working time was under 8 hours which is very fast for me. I learned a lot just using the four colors and was amazed how many shades I could get.

Any critiques are welcome! I'm including the [very poor] photo reference too.

Best, Julia

[Julia Scott]

Here is another shot of the painting which I tweaked in Photoshop to more accurately show the skin tones as they are in the original work. For some reason the photo washed them out a bit. Her skin was very olive but not as dark as the photo.

I also messed around with Photoshop to correct the drawing of the shoulders a bit. I would like comments, however, on the facial likeness. I think her face isn't tilted enough in the painting? Of course, I could have projected the photo and got around that but I wanted to draw it myself.

Best, Julia

[Allan Rahbek]

Hi Julia,
I like your painting very much, it has a nice clarity in design and values.
As you suggest your self, I also have comments to the likeness.

It is almost a rule that if one get started with the wrong proportions and angles it is most likely that every angle and proportion will be a little off.

At the first glance it looks like her if one compare one detail with the neighbouring detail.

If you look at the forehead you will see that the models is less vertical compared to the painting, the shape of the hair is different and the neck too long. Small things that you try to compensate for by tweeking the neighbouring features.

The best way to see these proportions is to place the reference next to the painting and look forth and back, many, many times, comparing one thing / size at a time from a distance of 2 - 3 steps.

[Julia Scott]

Thank you, Allan, for your comments! They are very helpful and pinpointed some problems I had not noticed on my own (i.e., the slant of the forehead). That is why feedback is so needed. I don't know if I can fix these problems but I may give it a try. Thankfully this is not a commission! best, Julia

[Allan Rahbek]

Julia,

I believe that it would be easier to start from scratch, you will not cling to any finished details that way, trying to preserve some of your work.

If you do that I will suggest that you swap the background light so that you get the lighter background behind the woman and the middle value in front of her. Just a thought.

[Julia Scott]

Thank you again for your comments, Allan. Very helpful!
Best, Julia