First lay in of color

Patricia Joyce · 03-08-2008, 06:05 PM

here is a closeup of the kids. Looking at it I now wish I had focused on jus the kids, but then, the parents wanted the whole scene, so I guess I did not have a choice. I still feel that the sky and sea do not look like the right time of day. I do plan on heightening the wave to our right, just haven't gotten there yet.

Allan Rahbek · 03-09-2008, 07:54 AM

Patty,
I have tried to remove some scratches to get a cleaner look at the face and sharpened a bit, hope that it helps.

About the shadow, remember that the blue is mostly in the direct reflection from the sky, so therefore the darkest shadow, where they sit, is warmer because of the sand color and the shadow at the left is mostly light blue because of the sky. It is that simple

Patricia Joyce · 03-09-2008, 03:49 PM

Thanks, Allan.
I am stopping for a break and I am feeling lost like I am not doing anything right anymore. Maybe I can come back to it later this afternoon, but I dont' want to ruin it. To me, at this stage it looks very blah. I know the reflections of three kids is not in and the foam defing the laps of water will help. Do you feel i have flattened it all out? I still have detail to build on the children too, but I owuld love more suggestions.

I know I am being real needy, never have depended on the critique section this much. thanks for looking...

Patty

Debra Norton · 03-10-2008, 12:57 PM

Patty, don't get discouraged! Remember, it's like eating an elephant, the only way to do it is one bite at a time! I think it's coming along fine, it's just not finished. Keep your finished picture in mind and work towards it.

It doesn't look flat to me. About recognition, I would keep in mind bone structure, and body language or gesture, that's what we see first from a distance. I think you're doing well in this area. So I guess all I really have to say is you're coming along fine, keep working and you'll get it.

Allan Rahbek · 03-10-2008, 01:40 PM

Patty,
I think that you are doing fine with the figures, but I suggest that you get the values and colors of the seascape right before investing too much work in the figures. You will see that the figures are a piece of cake for you once you get the values of the sea right.

The sea / water is like a mirror, it is light because it reflects the light coming from above. The foreground is as light as the background. You have to lighten the foreground value.
Paint the foreground in a sandcolor and gradually add some light blue untill you are out where the wave break, make it a gradual slide towards the light blue of the sea and paint the waves, foam and small nuances when you have the gradual foundation right, right.

The seascape is very light and the figures are both darker and lighter than the seascape and that is why I suggest that you fix the water first.

Patricia Joyce · 03-10-2008, 06:15 PM

"The sea / water is like a mirror, it is light because it reflects the light coming from above. The foreground is as light as the background"

Allan, are you saying that the foreground should be as light as the background? So the sand should be the same value as the horizon? This should be a "light bulb" moment, but it is not!!! However, I do trust your advice, but I want to make sure I understand...

Here is where I finished off yesterday.

Thank you Debra and Allan so much,
Patty

Allan Rahbek · 03-10-2008, 07:37 PM

Patty,
yes, I think that you can make the foreground very light. I see that you have already made the light, coming in between the figures, that light.

It is a good idea to simplify values at the start so I suggest that you make the foreground an even value and gradually mix the sandcolor and sky color. Then paint in the foam, waves and reflections afterwards.

You won't have enough value span for the rest of the painting if you graduate the foreground that much from the start, like you have done.

Forgive me my lousy explanations

The reflection of the figures is so delicate and barely

Patricia Joyce · 04-13-2008, 03:52 PM

I thought I finished this yesterday but the colors are sinking in and the foreground is darker today than yesterday. How long do I have to wait before I can paint another layer to brighten the foreground, or do you think I should sign it and call it finished?

I am unhappy with seval things that I am afraid to try to fix this late in the game:
1. The horizon is too sharp but how can I soften it now? It looks bowed here but it is not, I measured all the way across.
2. The reflection of the white shirt is too bright, but I do think I could fix this.
3. I just couldn't figure out how to make believable foam!!! I am not, nor do I pretend to be a landscape artist!!!

I am not convinced the viewer actually knows what time of day this is. I had to adjust colors from the reference photo because the clients wanted to see golden sand, which is not really in the picture. In the reference photo the sand is more wet/blue than anything else.

Anyways, I would love final comments in case there is a surefire way to make this better or to hear those magic words "sign it"!!!

You have all been so helpful to me, I can't thank you enough. I have learned SOOOOOOO MUCH from this project! But now, I am anxious to begin a head and shoulder in oils, what I really love to do!!

Carol Norton · 03-10-2008, 11:19 PM

I know I am being real "needy," never have depended on the critique section this much. thanks for looking...

Patty[/QUOTE]

Patty, your "needs" here are beneficial steps for everyone looking and learning. You are serving as an instructor even though you, yourself, are asking for help. I thank you for your honesty and humility as asking questions is the state of mind of a ready learner. Your painting is already beautiful.

Patricia Joyce · 03-11-2008, 08:48 AM

Allan,
I think I finally get it, thanks. Now I am looking forward to going back into it this weekend! You are so helpful.

Carol,
Thank you for your kind remarks, they are encouraging as well. It is our nature, as portrait artists, to be perfectionists, which I am used to in my drawing. Learning to paint propels me back to the all encompassing student, and yes, that is a good thing. I cannot find an artist in Cleveland I want to study with or take classes from so I do depend on the forum. I am happy to know that others are benefiting from my learning process.

I sooo apreciate your compliment. I have become blind to whether this is a decent painting in process or not....
Patty