Back to school

[Michele Rushworth]

Mike and Steven,

My understanding of how this works is the same as yours. I think we're all in agreement: don't use a lens length shorter than 50mm and you should be fine.

[Elizabeth Schott]

Here is the nearly completed portrait, I still have some fine tuning to do.

[Elizabeth Schott]

The close-up.

And Morris, thank you!

[Timothy C. Tyler]

I think Beth has spent some time as a pro shooter. Hummmmm?????????

Well?

[Peter Jochems]

Hi Beth,

The photographs look very grainy.

The skin tones that border on the hair on the left side of her forehead has a very sharp edge.

I think the upper lip of her mouth needs special attention.

I don't really like the blue-ish background to be honest. Maybe, in future paintings you could try a cool grey instead of blue? - Just a suggestion. The background also seems a bit illogical to me. While the light comes from the left she should cast a shadow on the right of her. Instead of that, I see that it becomes lighter in your painting. (don't change it too much, but for future paintings, maybe it's something to look after.)

Greetings,
Peter

[Lynn T. McCallum]

Beth,

All your other paintings have been knocked down a notch. This is your best painting yet. It's a really fun painting and reminds me of the teens in my house. You captured the mood of that age. I say all the way. Keep up the good work.

[Elizabeth Schott]

Tim, I don't speak "Tyler", I hope it was a compliment. Lynn thanks for yours.

Peter, Peter... I know you don't like my blues, I don't think Jeff does either. But let me explain; this wasn't meant to be a formal portrait, more of a satirical look at the first day of school. (I am thinking you do not have teenagers). This time of year can mean dread to the teenager, but the mother is dancing in the streets.

I chose the blue (which I adjusted to be closer to the sketch you mentioned) because it, one pulled out the color of her eyes, which says it all here, (with the exception of her upper lip, which - trust me - is perfect) and the colors in her skirt, basically with the addition of her skin tones this makes up the whole color scheme.

I think the background lighting is just fine, see the reference above. The way she was lit the shadow would be to our far right.

Thanks for catching that hard edge, it was softer at last post, but I think when I was rounding her face with value changes I forgot to adjust the hair near the lighter area. I'll fix that, plus some spots on her shirt.


Beth

I forgot to thank the mod's for the photography lesson.

[Patricia Joyce]

Two cents from an aspiring portraitist, inexperienced with painting, but VERY experienced with studying paintings AND teenagers. Oh Beth, this is Wonderful! I immediately am at the first days of school, and though I have two sons, your daughter, the look, the stance, the attitude (pained, dull, slight anger....YOUTH!) reminds me of my youngest son. I peer into her eyes and am transported to our condo, September mornings when Kevin hated going to school, struck that attitude each morning, until he readjusted to the routine - then they become human again. I hope your daughter is into the swing of things now!

Your handling of flesh tones is beautiful. Rendering the white blouse is really great. Overall, I think it is a painting that makes quite an emotional impact on the viewer!

From a mom who remembers and GETS IT!
Pat Joyce (Meyers)

[Jeff Fuchs]

The only thing more irritating than the first day of school is having your mom pick up the camera to "capture the moment". You guaranteed the perfect expression when you did that.

[SARCASM] I'll bet she was delighted [/SARCASM]

[Mike McCarty]

Beth,

Here are a few of observations:

I think you could bring her right nostril out more to our left. And the shape of this nostril could be more rounded up and not come back so quickly to the tip of the nose, giving a more pointed nose effect.

Our right corner of her mouth should be extended out a bit.

Her teeth seem a bit brighter than the photo and are showing an edge which is not flattering.

The bridge of her nose, because of the shading appears to be bowing out to our right.

The dark shading between her lips on our right side, as it peaks up, is giving her a bit more of a snarl than the photo would indicate.

I think if I would suggest this project to my teenage daughter some morning before school I would get a couple of fried eggs up beside my head.