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11-24-2002, 03:08 PM

First of all, I object to the idea, 'I couldn't/wouldn't do it, so you couldn't/shouldn't either'. That was the attitute that prompted me to come out with 'gutless'.

Second of all, the photo reference is actually quite good. Go to the SOG main page and sift through the portrait artists there. There are no great painters there. Some are good, and a lot are average, but none are great. What I'm sure about the painters there is that they all had glowingly beautiful reference photos for their paintings. So, big deal? The quality of painting is still, on the whole, very average. The great photo reference doesn't matter, and the ability of the artist does.

The photo reference here is a perfectly simple and strong balance of lights and darks. The values are already there to make a strong painting. It rather fits Clive's way of painting even.

Clive,

Crop the photo a bit on the right, up to near that vertical fold of the shirt. You'll want to make the background a solid or near-solid dark value (like however you did it in the girl with the hat and the girl's back). Keep the picture to three or four values, the simpler the better. Bend the kid's right leg into the picture, resting it on the horse. Move the woman's right hand to the horse's mane, and point her left hand/arm towards the baby in a casual way.

If you hit the values right, the mother and child will just radiate from withing the painting, and the owners of this fine painting will spread the word about you.

Post updates on the painting please, I don't like to write here, but I stop by to look around.

John

(Message to Khaimraj Seepersad: I private messaged you, but never heard back)

11-24-2002, 03:08 PM	#2
John Finnegan Guest Posts: n/a	I stand by 'gutless' First of all, I object to the idea, 'I couldn't/wouldn't do it, so you couldn't/shouldn't either'. That was the attitute that prompted me to come out with 'gutless'. Second of all, the photo reference is actually quite good. Go to the SOG main page and sift through the portrait artists there. There are no great painters there. Some are good, and a lot are average, but none are great. What I'm sure about the painters there is that they all had glowingly beautiful reference photos for their paintings. So, big deal? The quality of painting is still, on the whole, very average. The great photo reference doesn't matter, and the ability of the artist does. The photo reference here is a perfectly simple and strong balance of lights and darks. The values are already there to make a strong painting. It rather fits Clive's way of painting even. Clive, Crop the photo a bit on the right, up to near that vertical fold of the shirt. You'll want to make the background a solid or near-solid dark value (like however you did it in the girl with the hat and the girl's back). Keep the picture to three or four values, the simpler the better. Bend the kid's right leg into the picture, resting it on the horse. Move the woman's right hand to the horse's mane, and point her left hand/arm towards the baby in a casual way. If you hit the values right, the mother and child will just radiate from withing the painting, and the owners of this fine painting will spread the word about you. Post updates on the painting please, I don't like to write here, but I stop by to look around. John (Message to Khaimraj Seepersad: I private messaged you, but never heard back)