Beach portrait

[Christy Talbott]

Here's another one I just finished. It's 24" x 36" in oil. Please let me know what you think!

[Allan Rahbek]

Hi Christy,
I like the composition, the color of the dress is so delicate and works fine because of the bluish shades in the red.

However, I think that you should do something more with the brim of the water. It looks much the same from foreground to the far back. This diagonal is the most prominent perspective indication in the picture, so I think that you should indicate distance by all means! Make it more off focus behind her and more bluish and less contrasty as it recedes out in the back.

I like the color changes in the shallow water at the left.

[Michele Rushworth]

Wonderful composition and color. Can you post a closeup of the face?

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

Hi Christy, I just wanted to post a couple of images from the master of beach scenes (which you might have looked at already) as a source of inspiration.
In your work I think you should look for more colours in the dress. I slightly disagree with Alan in the sense that I would push those differences even more. At the moment it goes from light pink to strong pink, so mainly a tonal shift, but you might try and find areas where the pink becomes really yellow, or green or pure blue maybe. This will help the colour of the dress not to be isolated in the canvas (only found in one area).
The composition is very nice
Ilaria

[Alexandra Tyng]

Christy,

I like this composition very much. The diagonal of the water's edge is a strong element, and I feel the girl's connection to the sun and water. I also really like the way you've painted the water and sky in the background. There are some truly lovely passages in this painting.

A few suggestions:
1) I agree with Ilaria that the color of the dress could use some variation. If you are using a good digital camera to take your reference shots, you should be able to get quite a bit of information, especially from enlargements. If you see a color, go with it. Think out beforehand how you want the dress to look, then decide how you are going to paint it that way. Don't be afraid to try something new.

2) To me, the edge of the foaming water in the middle and close distances appears to be lifting off the sand! If you reexamine your treatment of this edge, I'm sure you will find the solutionto this problem.

3) I am not sure, but the bottom of her legs and feet appear dry. I was noticing the lovely glistening skin of the child in the first painting Ilaria posted. If you could create the same look on the girl's legs it would fully connect her with the water.

[Christy Talbott]

Originally Posted by Allan Rahbek

Hi Christy,
However, I think that you should do something more with the brim of the water. It looks much the same from foreground to the far back. This diagonal is the most prominent perspective indication in the picture, so I think that you should indicate distance by all means! Make it more off focus behind her and more bluish and less contrasty as it recedes out in the back.

Thank you Allen! Yes, I think you are exactly right! It seems i should have known that, but it didn't appear that way in my reference. It's fairly glaring at me now! Fortunately I'll be going back to the home where it resides now and will be able to make that adjustment.

Christy

[Christy Talbott]

Originally Posted by Michele Rushworth

Wonderful composition and color. Can you post a closeup of the face?

Thank you Michelle!

Unfortunately this is the best closeup I have, which is blurry. When I visit the portrait I'll make same touch-ups and take some better photos and closeups. I didn't do much detail to her face which didn't seem the point to me in this painting. But of course I want the face to be done well! C/c please!

Christy

[Christy Talbott]

Originally Posted by Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco

Hi Christy, I just wanted to post a couple of images from the master of beach scenes (which you might have looked at already) as a source of inspiration.
In your work I think you should look for more colours in the dress. I slightly disagree with Alan in the sense that I would push those differences even more. At the moment it goes from light pink to strong pink, so mainly a tonal shift, but you might try and find areas where the pink becomes really yellow, or green or pure blue maybe. This will help the colour of the dress not to be isolated in the canvas (only found in one area).
The composition is very nice
Ilaria

Thank you IIaria! I love the samples you posted! It's a good point you make about the color variation in her dress. I'll be paying closer attention to that in the future.

Christy

[Christy Talbott]

Originally Posted by Alexandra Tyng

Christy,

I like this composition very much. The diagonal of the water's edge is a strong element, and I feel the girl's connection to the sun and water. I also really like the way you've painted the water and sky in the background. There are some truly lovely passages in this painting.

A few suggestions:
1) I agree with Ilaria that the color of the dress could use some variation. If you are using a good digital camera to take your reference shots, you should be able to get quite a bit of information, especially from enlargements. If you see a color, go with it. Think out beforehand how you want the dress to look, then decide how you are going to paint it that way. Don't be afraid to try something new.

2) To me, the edge of the foaming water in the middle and close distances appears to be lifting off the sand! If you reexamine your treatment of this edge, I'm sure you will find the solutionto this problem.

3) I am not sure, but the bottom of her legs and feet appear dry. I was noticing the lovely glistening skin of the child in the first painting Ilaria posted. If you could create the same look on the girl's legs it would fully connect her with the water.

Alexandra,

Once again, thank you very much for taking the time to respond to me!

I addressed your first point in my post to IIaria.

The second point you made I noticed too- much to my dismay after looking at the photo I took! And after my husband had taken the portrait to be delivered! It is what I most dislike about this painting! But that's what happens sometimes when you are working too fast! I had softened the foam a bit by rubbing it with my fingers and meant to go back and add that essential little line of shadow underneath but neglected it in my haste. No worries though. That is the main reason I'm going back to the client's home- to make that essential adjustment! I'll also grey that foam out a bit as it recedes in the distance as Allen suggested.

Your third point is also an excellent observation. I think I know just what to do there (there is the hint of it in my photo!), and will make that adjustment as well.

Christy

[Christy Talbott]

Btw, here is a link to my flickr account with a closeup. The bottom of this painting is darker in reality, though not this dark.

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...6770942&size=l