Matt

Julie Gerleman · 07-23-2002, 08:53 AM

Hello,

Here is one of my first commissions. He has already seen it and is pleased. I'm not quite pleased however, and think it could be better. Of course it's his portrait so I guess what he says goes, right?

Thanks in advance for your comments.

Cheers,
Willow

Julie Gerleman · 07-23-2002, 10:53 AM

This portrait was done in pastel in Mi-Tientes paper. The final measurements are 11x15" or so (had to crop the final piece.) The reference photo was itty-bitty, the length of his face was just over 1/2". Yikes! I chose this photo from his collection because the lighting was good, the detail was sharp (if small) and it conveys his quintessential "Mattness." If I had to do it over again (and I just may...) I'd have him pose with not so much smile so I could see his eyes more. As it was, I had to fudge it a little bit, make his eyes bigger, as he was standing in bright sunlight at high altitude and his eyes were basically these little slits! Other than that, the likeness is good, owing much to the fact that he's a friend so I already knew what the photo wasn't telling me! I'll try to post that photo soon. Thanks!

Cheers,
Willow

Lon Haverly · 07-26-2002, 03:27 PM

I like it, and I can see why the customer likes it! It is bold, in good proportion, and confidently drawn, especially considering the size of the original. I like the tan in the shadow side of the face. I also like the vignette format. Many would have drawn the coat all the way to the bottom of the page.

I like the confident strokes, the economy, the sketchiness. It has some of you in it, a phenomenon which can only occur by the choices required by time and style constraints. Some would say that this drawing was done by a man, because of its bold strokes. Proof here that that boldness is not gender restrictive.

I would only suggest a bit of outline detail on the teeth, but not so much as to take away the impressionism of them. Just a touch of the same color in the corners of the mouth above the bottom lip to suggest some detail of the teeth.

Beautiful job, Willow!

Julie Gerleman · 07-26-2002, 04:02 PM

Interesting your comment about boldness; I am always timid for about the first 1/3 of the painting process, then as soon as I start to see things shape up in a way that's pleasing I guess the painting just takes me over and I start slashing at the support!

I will check out his teeth; perhaps a bit of darker color in spotty places to hint more at the edges of his teeth against the dark-almost-black of the inside of his mouth? I'll go for it.

Thanks again for your comments and your support! It means a lot to me.

"Julie Gerleman" is my real (read: legal) name. I have been called Willow for years but now I'm edging back to Julie. Should probably change my name on site here, huh?

Cheers,
Julie

Linda Ciallelo · 07-29-2002, 12:36 PM

I agree that this is an excellent effort. The design factor is very strong. If you are going to do more portraits, you might consider investing in a camera (either digital or 35mm) to take your own photos. With good lighting, you can use the camera to compose your subject yourself. It will infinitely increase the ease of your success.

Julie Gerleman · 08-07-2002, 05:46 PM

Here is the reference photo I used for this piece. I took a digital image of the print (!) which blurred it a little.

Linda, I got a digital camera, Linda (thank you to all contributors of the "camera" page on this forum!) so the whole process of taking reference photos has been greatly streamlined.

Thanks for your comments!

Cheers,
Willow