Soft light or strong light for model?

[Michele Rushworth]

I am still very much interested in hearing more opinions on just how delineated/sharp the line should be where the shadow meets the light. I suppose it also depends on the mood I want to convey. And like so much, there is probably no magic answer.

Exactly. It depends on the subject and the mood you want. Look at paintings you like and see how they did it.

Remember, though, that when you set up a model in the light you think would be just right, it will usually turn out to be too contrasty in the photograph. That's what cameras do, whether film or digital. They increase contrast, sometimes by a huge amount.

A simple tip when shooting by window light (which is the easiest way to start in any case): In order to increase contrast between the lit and unlit sides of the face just move the subject closer to the window, to decrease contrast move him or her away from the window.

[Alexandra Tyng]

You are right, Joan, there is no correct answer. If the light moves you, go with it. Just be constantly on the lookout for a beautifully lit subject and then, if you can't take a photo right at that moment, try to replicate the light for your painting.

Personally I like the light in the two reference photos of your daughter and your mother's friend the best. The light/shadow relationship is definitely not too subtle and, in fact, is excellent for a portrait. If you're going to be painting from life in a studio with the dark green-gray walls, make sure there is a good, clear, even light coming from the window and move the person near the light source. If you take a photo, you can manually set the light meter for the light side of the face, or use spot metering taken from the light side. Were you using artificial light for both of the dark photos? That might not work very well, but I couldn't say for sure, since I've never tried it. (My studio walls are off-white.)

Alex

[Molly Williams]

I didn't read all of the post before I also adjusted your photo in Photoshop. Now, I see that somebody else has also done it. I hope it helps anyways.

I adjusted it using Levels and Selective Color. I also put two images on top of each other and erased the background out of one, so that I could adjust the colors/values on the background and face seperately.

I love this face. His smile is wonderful and the pose is very classical. The shadows fall all at the right places.

When you paint it I would be sure to keep adjusting your colors. Don't accept your scrap as the final color study. Bring mixtues of flake white and Cerulean Blue into the hightlights on the nose and bridge between eyes. Bring mixtures of Ivory Black and white into other parts of the face to cool down the temperature. Sap green is a great way to do the same thing. I would also deepen the value of the eye lashes and put some white with Ultramarine blue into the whites of the eyes.

Basically, if you can bring cools into the whites of the eyes and highlights on the face than it balances out a warm face.

Good luck. . . I would work from this scrap. I think it could be an amazing portrait!!