No. 3

[Linda Brandon]

Originally Posted by Ngaire Winwood

I am starting to realise how difficult it is to get the model to get into the position each time, there was always an angle problem with her pose, different lighting on cloudy to sunny days etc. I didn't realise just how many variables changes colour, value and pose.

Hi Ngaire,

When you want to start working from live models in repeat sittings, in my opinion the easiest way to set this up is to have her/him face you in a full face position in the same chair a few feet from the same window at the same time of the day. (Put a piece of tape on the floor so that you can get yourself back in the same spot, too.) Get a good shadow pattern on the face. Take a look at that full face view and make sure you can see both ears (pull hair back if you need to) and make sure there is no tilt (hold up a knitting needle and line up the outer corners of the eyes so that they are horizontal). Anything else you add - a tilt, a rotation, a hand - just makes it harder for both you and the model to find it again during the next session. Make things really easy on yourself at first and you can work up to three-quarter face and profile poses later. You've picked a pretty tricky three-quarter pose here. I really admire your courage and your perserverance.

Alex is giving you good advice (I think I will run all my work past her, too!) The only thing I would add is to squint down and see if you can lose detail and edges in the shadow side. Keep posting these!

[Ngaire Winwood]

Linda,
Thanks heaps for your sound comments. Yes I didn't realise it would be a tricky pose until I was knee deep in it. I just like the composition for her personality. I have certainly learnt a lot and I will definitely try to make it easier on myself the next time. I found it hard to organise model and day weather to be compatible for artwork, this certainly was an eye opener for me.

I will have a better set up next time.

Alex,
I have greyed down the eyes, shoulder, and jaw (in shadow), it seems to have made a difference, I think with the focus back on her eyes again. Also blue/lavender in the hair for highlights. I hope the changes I made passes your scrutiny.