Child's Portrait
 

This is a commission I just received for a child's portrait. I would like to get your input on the 2 photo's below. I would like to get your preference and also input/ideas for the background (too much green!).

This is my first child's portrait and I am anxious to begin. I know many of you have alot of experience in this area. I must say I was pleasantly surprised how well the photo shoot went. I ended up with 57 shots with only about 10 of which I felt weren't artistically good poses. I think I discovered that the key is shooting the pictures just prior to the subject preparing for the pose (if that makes sense?).

Thanks in advance for your recommendations!

#1

close-up#1

#2

detail#2

I like the first one, I find it much more interesting.

I am offended by her bare feet though, can't that child afford shoes?! ;)

Nice going Mike, I think I prefer the first post. I was reminded of the background in Timothy M.'s portrait.

http://forum.portraitartist.com/show...&threadid=2883

Hi Mike,

These are terrific, especially the first pose! Beautiful child, beautiful dress, beautiful setting. I like how she's doing something with her hands and the expression on her face is better in the first pose, I think.

There's an SOG artist that I think does a terrific job of these "barefoot girls in white dresses" portraits. His name is Hongmin Zou, out of Atlanta. Here's his site: http://www.hongminzou.com

On your concerns about "too much green" in the background: take a look and see how Hongmin Zou handles it. If you vary the temperatures of the greens, and vary the values of the large masses more than what is shown in the reference photos I think that will help too.

This will be a knock out sample for your portfolio!

Here's an example of how I would vary the values of the large masses in the background, with your original shown on the left. I also brought the strand of willow leaves that she is holding out from the background, too.

The first one is great. Compliments!

Peter

Dear Mike:

I do believe you have your work cut out for you. You'll have to be both portrait and landscape painter in one. And as you say, "all that green."

The first thing I would ask is: where do I want the viewer's attention to go? As it stands now, the reflected water next to grassy shore is the lightest light next to a dark. Presumably this value contrast should find itself on the child's face, perhaps the forehead. What complicates matters is the light which comes from above, not very flattering particularly under the child's eyes.

I think the best thing to do is begin with a charcoal drawing to establish the values and the overall light/dark pattern you want. Turn it upside down and see if it's in balance, if it makes a nice abstract pattern.

I'm talking like my old man here. Hope you don't mind.

S. Bartner

Many Thanks!
 

Thanks to everyone for your input so far.

Kimberly,
I love your sporty humor, thanks for the reply.

Mike,
I was hoping you would respond. I respect your opinion very much as it pertains to photography. Timothy's portrait is a great idea, not sure I want to go with that dark of a background but the "blurred" effect I like.

Michele,
I like your modified version showing the value changes and bringing out the branch (great idea!). I think I may have to do something with that highlight on the water as Scott has indicated. Maybe a value change there also.

Peter,
Thanks for the compliment!

Scott,
I think you are right on. I plan, as I do with all my portraits, to do a drawing to develop the correct values and also an oil study to capture the correct color/temperature.

Maybe I'll post both of these when completed (if it doesn't bore you guys to death!).