Lyndsey

Kimberly Dow · 08-15-2004, 10:40 PM

Now THOSE are words of wisdom - and written so eloquently! Bless you for giving me permission to paint what I want.

I had Lyndsey back today to try some backlit photos. By the time she arrived a storm had blown in, but I did get this one shot I love.

Sharon Knettell · 08-16-2004, 09:53 PM

Kimberly,

This is so close I want to come out and hold the reflector for you.

I still think you need more emphasis and light on her face. The door frame dominates too much, though the composition is lovely.

Think complementary color. This is basically a red and green composition, a sharp red accent, small and subtle would help. A pot of red geraniums at the bottom of the door frame, more light on her face and I think the whole thing would, in my opinion be a stronger image.

Before I started my present painting, it went through three major changes. The pose and composition stayed the same, but I made color changes in hair, (pink to natural), costume, (white to pale pink) and the background went from solid grey green to a yellow chinoiserie.

Sharon Knettell · 08-17-2004, 05:18 PM

Kimberly,

This occurred to me a little later. Put her in slightly in front of the door frame, so the vertical is not so dominant.

I will go away now.

Linda Brandon · 08-17-2004, 09:20 PM

Kim, have you seen Jeremy Lipking's website? Try this link: http://www.lipking.com/. His painting style is more painterly than what I've seen you post, but I think his sense of design and composition are very strong.

Kimberly Dow · 08-17-2004, 10:46 PM

"This is so close I want to come out and hold the reflector for you. "

When do you arrive? I'll have a limo & bonbons waiting.

No - please don't go away...I still need to pick your brain. Ok - so here is the bad news. I fell down the wet steps of the porch off my studio. The bruises and sprained wrist do not bother me, but the camera that was smashed does. I will not be re-photographing her soon - but hopefully it won't be too long.

So - I'd like to try and make a go of this one. I enlarged it a bit from the crop I showed above - now it is 20x30 (on my first ABS panel). Now - obviously this is rough, but here are some airbrushed red bubbles to represent geranuims.... looks silly to me, but could be that I just cant imagine them as anything other than red bubbles. Is this sort of the type of balance you meant Sharon?

You artists with the background in illustration really have it over on us mere mortals. Design and composition are where I am weakest (I think). If I were to go back to school it would be mainly to focus on that. I seem to be able to recognize good set ups in others work, but designing it myself is the kicker. It seems as if some have such an inate ability to set up the compositions well.

Linda - I am so glad you posted that - his work is fabulous. You sent me that link before, but popups in my computer had taken over the thumbnails of his work, but now I got to see it. I haven't seen that many beautiful butts since college.

Sharon Knettell · 08-18-2004, 03:17 PM

OK,

Lets get the curse off the door frame.

Try airbrushing it with first a little dull pale pink. Then a little higher, say from her hip and in an arc doodle in a bush that cuts the frame somewhat. The geraniums would work if they were placed behind her. Try adding some tiny specks of red, like berries to the bush, See what happens. Try this with and without the geraniums.

I always do design doodles before I do anything, so I know where I am heading.

I broke my knee seven years ago. I know how miserable physical injuries can be to work. I also dropped my Nikon, sliding down a just waxed school corridor and dented the frame of an $600 lens.

Sorry about your accident.

Kimberly Dow · 08-20-2004, 12:06 AM

Thanks again Sharon.

I have a great bush with red/orange berries close by this spot & it would work perfect. Thank you for your help!