Garth,
I really like this last version on the bottom. In addition, the red, white, and blue combination adds to the feeling of patriotism.

"Bartnerlavender"--my legacy to the art world.

Good grief.

Dear Scott,

I sincerely apologize for any offense. You are a supreme colorist, and have devised a whole myriad of successful solutions to your backgrounds in a range of divergent colors and gradations. Within these solutions there are many wonderful and harmonious cool lavender hues that ideally juxtapose and frame your subjects. To simply sum it all up as a blanket color association with your name is simply unfair. Your legacy is a thousandfold more, unique and inimitable.

I am just being a hack, groping for color options at the moment, and meant no shallowness or disrespect. I should rephrase my post referencing your works, and will if you wish.

Garth

Garth, Garth, Garth!

I was only kidding. I was not offended in the least, so please don't apologize. In fact I am quite honored you would look at my work when making decisions on such an important commission. My only concern is you don't try to pull another all-nighter before the unveiling of this one.

While we're on the subject of apologies, there is someone out there in cyber space who played a Halloween prank on another forum so effectively scaring the crap out of me...and while I don't expect an apology per se, an offer to cover my laundry bill would go a long way.

:)
Oh! Sorry, Scott. I apologize.
:) No, I don't! :)
This is making me want a color named after me, too.

Garth,

I try to imagine this portrait in the company of the other judges you

Hey there Garth... I agree with Allan on #3. #4 is a close second. . .

Garth,

For what it is worth, I think I will stick my toes into this artistic hot tub.

I think your first version with the red chair is the most effective. The grey lavender introduces another complication, it should be balanced with a bright yellow, which of course is the fringe on the flag. However that in itself creates an additional problem of the color being harmonized to go with a very distracting element, the very bright flag. I find personally that the most effective (at least for me) are color compositions based on complementaries. The red could be complemented by adding dull green to his robes. I would also really tone down that flag. It is the center of attention in what could be a very wonderful portrait. The subject is terrific.

Good luck!

Such good insights.
 

Dear Heidi, Allan, Terri, Alex, and Sharon,

I certainly value all your input and insights. Thank you.

Heidi: The Chief Judge actually called me to suggest the possibility of a blue chair (which they have as well). He said he was told he looks good with blue. I don't doubt this is true, so that is why I have considered a blue toned wall.

Allan and Terri: I agree with you in principal about weaving in ochre and sienna transitions or undertones in company with the blueish lavenders. I just haven't figured out how to do this effectvely in Photoshop. This is much easier (to me) to find a solution in paint, itself. I think most of these types of chromatic decisions naturally work themselves out during the intensivity of the painting process.

Alex phoned me today (thanks Alex!); and one suggestion she had was to make the background still lighter than in these examples. I will consider that.

Sharon: You know, we must be thinking on the same wave length at the same time, because just before you posted, I was thinking I really, really like that original unalterated red wall version. It is (naturally) the most cohesive of the schemes. I feel each red (the flag, the wall, and the chair) are really distinctly different kinds of reds in reality and I should be able to keep these distinctions apparent on the canvas. This reminds me of the time I viewed Disney's The Little Mermaid in the theater some fifteen years back. I was totally awed by how fifty or more distinctly different reds could be employed simultaneously in a symphonic animation to such a great effect. I am not sure these various different reds translated well into the video and dvd releases, but the original film stock was truly stunning!

Garth

Amen to the Reds
 

Hey Garth,

I've been snooping in at all this color stuff for awhile and just now decided to be brave enough to chime in. I totally agree with your assessment of Sharon's vote on the background and, of course, the red chair. That very first shot is just perfect to me.

So....there's your "ol' Bulletin Painter's" sighting on the subject. At any rate, I just know that you will pull off another masterpiece with whatever you decide. I'm firmly in your fan club my good man. ;)


~Gear