Silk dress composition

Hanna Larsson · 01-28-2003, 07:32 AM

Hi!

When I saw the post about how to paint silk and viewed all images containing silkdresses I really felt like doing one as well.

This is my sister wearing a dress I made six years ago for what is pretty much like your prom. Don

Hanna Larsson · 01-28-2003, 07:33 AM

Image nr 2

Hanna Larsson · 01-28-2003, 07:36 AM

Image nr 3

Josef Sy · 01-28-2003, 08:41 AM

Hi Hanna,

Personally, I prefer the 1st and the 3rd one. The posing in the second one at that angle is not balanced and the foreshortening of the legs/feet might be a problem. But I could be wrong. My 2 cents.

Jeff Fuchs · 01-28-2003, 09:27 AM

I agree with Josef in general, but if you use that last one, change your light direction so that the shadows fall across the face like in the second picture. Those shadows are nice. They help define the face.

Mari DeRuntz · 01-28-2003, 10:55 AM

Hi Hanna,

Think also about the emotional direction you want the piece to go. The first two images read as "girlish," the third as "womanly." What do you want to say about the woman in the portrait?

All the same, I'd avoid #2; the way the dress falls open is not flattering.

I love your work and look forward to seeing your decisions on this one.

Best of luck,

Mike McCarty · 01-28-2003, 11:35 AM

Hanna,

This just may be a personal preference but I prefer either a straight ahead or slightly up looking camera angle. I think it gives the subject a bit more presence and stature.

Marta Prime · 01-28-2003, 05:00 PM

Just looking at the pose and dress, not the face. I like the pose for #1, but if you are trying to go for a "silk dress" pose, think you could do better with more of the dress, less of the feet showing. I like the pose idea from #3, but the dress bunches unflatteringly around the waist. It's a beautiful dress on a beautiful girl, I think you should try more shots.

Hanna Larsson · 01-29-2003, 07:54 AM

Thank you for helping me with this desition.

Since this not is a comission I can really take my time and make it good. At the same time as I have no pressure to get it right. It is nice to be in total control.

Aren

Linda Brandon · 01-29-2003, 11:10 AM

Hi Hanna,

These are very interesting and evocative photos in themselves. They have style and soul. Can you tell us how you are manipulating the backgrounds (digitally, I assume)?

When I pose women I ask them to lead their hands by the wrist, as a ballet dancer would. This helps achieve a more graceful hand, gives the artist good angles to paint, and avoids a fist in what would otherwise be a graceful and elegant pose.

I like the last photo (red dress) very much. Keep posting these pictures.

Best wishes,
Linda