"N"

Julie Deane · 07-17-2005, 11:58 PM

Thanks, Chris. I have a potential problem with continuing the background painting downwards. It is done with extremely thinned paint - almost rubbed in to let the canvas shine through. The red paint of the dress has eliminated the possibility of getting down to that toned canvas. But I could extend the wall downward, using a similar tone to the painting. It's hard to see in this little jpeg, but there is a suggestion of the bottom of the frame there now. It wouldn't be too hard to continue the wall, just use thicker paint for that part.
The skin tone really did get too light - my friend is actually fairly tan, half native American, and I made her look like a paleface. Even though I can argue to myself that "it's just the lighting", I know better, and feel I need to darken up a bit.
Plus I have to fix that **** nose. This is the second portrait I have messed up on spacing in this area. I hate having "pet" goofs - that is, things that tend to show up the same time after time.
Please don't think I'm beating myself up too much over this - I like the painting too, and have hopes of making it something of which I will be proud.

Sharon Knettell · 07-18-2005, 12:18 AM

Julie,

I dunno, I like it just the way it is. I like the strong red shape with the modeled head, it successfully references the simple dark green square in the background. I do not find the nose disturbing and I like the pinky pale skin tones as a foil to the red and dark green. Leave it alone, it is a very descriptive and original portrait of an original artist. I really applaud the departure from photographic reality.

Julie Deane · 07-18-2005, 12:46 AM

Thanks, Sharon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharon Knettell

I really applaud the departure from photographic reality.

Hah! That's me all right - especially when it comes to NOSES!

Cindy Procious · 07-18-2005, 08:33 AM

I agree with Sharon. Julie, this is beautiful. It's dramatic, full of emotion, energy, and vivid life.

I wouldn't change a thing.

Julie Deane · 07-18-2005, 10:02 AM

Thanks, Cindy. I'm going to be VERY careful, and only do a little bit here and there. I stayed up too late last night, and don't do good work when tired, so I'll post it again somtime in the next few days.

Claudemir Bonfim · 07-18-2005, 12:24 PM

I like the painting very much, but there's someting about the eyes...
Is this a Dejavu for you?
I think about the dark line under her left eye, it should be 1 or 2 milimeters above the one in the painting.

Claudemir Bonfim · 07-18-2005, 12:33 PM

If you are using black to paint these details, try to mix raw umber (or natural shadows) and ultramarine blue to get a natural and dark effect. You can try also to add a little of emerald green. I almost never use black because the values become too strong.
But remember, that's a great painting!

Julie Deane · 07-18-2005, 04:31 PM

Thanks, Claudemir. I'll fix that and try your colors. I was trying to use a limited palette, but the black is awful stark.

Michele Rushworth · 07-22-2005, 10:25 AM

Claudemir points out an interesting problem with the eyes: the lower lids need to be more horizontal and not curve down so much to the left. The way they are painted makes the eyes bulge out too much.

Otherwise, this really is a "wow" painting. It reminds me of the feeling in the Sargent portraits of theatrical actresses.