My dog wanted to be in every shot! :)

I like how the lines flow on the one above.

I added the ring to the gloved hand, but I think I would lose the flowers in the hair, or add something different to the one above.

Number 3!!
 

Hi Beth,

I am typing with one hand - due to breaking my middle finger on my drawing (left) hand so, lucky you, I'll be brief!

I absolutely love number 3 - especially with the dog in perfect composure and beautiful! I know Renee Price will love it also - she owns a Boston Terrier too. I have a shihtzu, Roxy. Anyway, I've been following this thread and really truly enjoying your photos of your teen (I paint mine too, remember?) That dress is great and the similar color in the background is interesting, even though I think I would have gone with something different - more champagne like. I totally trust Sharon though and would change it to whatever she says.

I can't paint right now for more than 5 minutes with hours of rest in between and watching everyone else paint seems to be my only choice. Please keep posting your progress!

I loved your portrait of Marius - and his story makes the painting so much more meaningful - thank you for sharing it with us.

Good luck on this painting - whatever you decide to do!

Denise

Hi
 

Hi Beth,

I think this opinion may be against the grain of other opinons on this thread, but I think the choices #2 & #1 out of the first batch are far better than any of the recent ones. My criticism would be of the new shots - The way she is sitting (facing you squarely) is less flattering to her figure, and there's nothing ladylike about it. I don't think the dog helps the matter either. She's a beautiful girl but the composition is not doing her any favors. I'm very sorry to sound negative, but between the ungraceful pose and yet the flower in her hair, the whole thing feels awkward to me.

I seem to remember that you were planning this to be a figurative work and not a portrait per se. I think these new images are intending to be a portrait and not a figuratve piece. As either, I just visualize this as being more successful if from the original selections.

I'm so curious to see your outcome from this!

Linda

I agree with Linda, Beth. Although I like no.4 from this batch.

I can't resist giving an opinion. All the following refers to the second batch. Right now, my favorite is #1, though perhaps a bit over-seductive for one so young.

In #2, she looks angry or disgusted.

In #3, the hands are not graceful and she looks rigid.

In #4, the position looks awkward, the crease in the neck is not graceful either and I could imagine she just saw a mouse and is recoiling.

In #5, I like this one, though might have been better if her hands had been down lower.

#6 and #7, I don't find inspiring.

Had to comment
 

I like #1 as a figurative piece, even if seductive. It tells a story, and 50 years from now no one will know her age.

Jean

The model as a Gumby Doll
 

Hi,

I see this has become an all SOG project!

I have been photographing models for over 30 years, stemming from my various lives as a fashion illustrator to illustrator to portrait artist and now to my current work based loosely on ballet. I can tell you that this is one of the most frustrating and difficult things to learn and do. You just want to go in and bend arms, fingers and legs to the positions you want, unfortunately you often find a human attached to them.

I find the best way to approach it is to have a rather firm mental visual of what you want, and thumbnails to show your model. Once you have a good basic pose do subtle variations on that, do not make drastic changes, a simple head change or finger movement can change a picture from ordinary to magic.

The model does not always have to be comfortable, some of the most graceful poses can be somewhat difficult.

When you look at Sargets languishing women, especially Mrs. Agnew, remember she was wearing a corset as well as all his female subjects. This gave the torso form and design. Today we have to substitute a little more erectness of posture so stomachs don't stick out and to prevent the midsection from getting scrunched.

With that said, try some more sitting poses,have her legs turned more to our right. Importantly in sitting pictures shoot a little higher than you have. This would minimize Gwen's full chin also. You can have her legs crossed, arms on either side, just don't let her slump. Some of the pictures will have a more relaxed look anyway. Replace the white scarf with a deeper lavender one to match the flower. Go for subtle changes in expression. If the dog shows up fine!

Get in there and move draping around, tuck fabric under thighs, whatever you have to do. You have to have good knees. I had to do a book cover once of two lovers lying on a couch with fur coats, silk pillows, you name it. I got them all posed and the couple started sliding off the edge of the couch. I had to crawl on my hands and knees to push them back up.

Don't be so anxious to get to the picture, use this as a very necessary learning experience.

By the way your lighting is beautiful!

Sincerely,

Foam Heads
 

Beth,

Several more notes.

A. The reason I objected to the first shot of Gwen in the chair was that the chair filled the center of the page. The light hit the hard rectangular edge and distracted your eye from the subject. The chair style, color and fabric were not compatible with the dress. A French Bergere chair in black would have provided a nice shape, a dark note to separate it slightly from the background and would have set off the dress nicely.

B. If you do use a floral bouquet, make it large enough so it will show up if you put it slightly behind a figure, instead of off to the side where it is again a distraction.

C. I always ask my clients their heights. I drag around a cheap foam head for wigs on a stand wrapped with the color of the garment. I use this to check focal lenghts, background details,lighting, see if I need some additional props, etc. I treat my models as if they are going to melt in an hour so I try to be really prepared.

Sincerely,