The Belly Dancer

Enzie Shahmiri · 02-20-2007, 08:54 PM

Hi Janel,

What a wonderful subject!
You might consider having some lost edges when you are working with the background. By very subtly introducing some of the flesh tones and garment colors in the background, the figure will harmonize better with the background.

Janel Maples · 02-26-2007, 04:57 PM

And here is where thinking mode took me.

I still have quite a few areas where I have to push things back or bring them forward, and several where I am not happy with the color, but I thought I would post an update because the painting is so radically different than my original post.

Sorry about the shine, it is 100% wet yet.

Janel Maples · 02-26-2007, 05:07 PM

I'm sorry Enzie,

I thought I responded to your post earlier. Thank you for taking the time to do so. You were right about the edges and her not harmonizing with the background. It was really hard for me to do, but by lightening the background her edges look softer and she looks like she belongs in that spot. At least that is my opinion. At first, the thought of what it was going to take to make the change made me want to cry but now that I am well into it, I am liking it more.

Alan Melson · 02-26-2007, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janel Maples

And here is where thinking mode took me.

I still have quite a few areas where I have to push things back or bring them forward, and several where I am not happy with the color, but I thought I would post an update because the painting is so radically different than my original post.

Sorry about the shine, it is 100% wet yet.

Nice Changes in the painting. Congratulations!

Janel Maples · 02-28-2007, 10:33 PM

Thank you Alan, I needed that.

Enzie Shahmiri · 03-01-2007, 05:24 PM

The lighter background is working much better. It does make you wonder though how Caravaggio got away with placing his figures into those dark backgrounds, doesn't it?

Janel, post your reference so that we can help you point out some of the things that need to get fixed. Something is off with the arm that is raised. What an angle!

By the way I love the bottom part of the painting. She sort of fades into it, which I think looks great.

Janel Maples · 03-01-2007, 09:02 PM

Hello Enzie,

Here is the reference photo. Just so you know, I didn't post the reference with this because I wasn't shooting for an exact replica of the photo. You could go nuts with pointing out the errors. There are a lot so don't put too much time into it.

My goal in this painting was to try to paint quickly and let go a little. This painting is not a commission.

Enzie Shahmiri · 03-02-2007, 12:08 AM

Janel, it is fun to let go, but you have a nice painting going here and it is worth looking at it.

First notice what the muscles are doing and get a feel for the areas that are raised. Whatever is raised has to come forward, the rest receeds. Now to get that raised arm to look right squint at the photo reference and simplify the arm into geometrical patterns. Mentally determine the cool, warm, grayed down or high chroma values. Pick one shape and relate the other pieces in value to that one. The value shifts for the exception of the shadow should not be more than 2. For starters that should give you the shape of the arm. You can always adjust color from there.

If it makes you feel any better, I have to do the same thing on the back of "Anna" WIP section. Based on the reference photo, I am blindly groping around trying to figure out what the back is doing. So I have taken out the dust covered anatomy books and am re-familiarizing myself with the anatomy of the back. Once I know what's going on there, I will do the same thing I have recommended to you and along with a prayer, hope for the best!