Flatter the Subject? - Page 3

Patricia Joyce · 09-24-2003, 09:28 AM

This image reads a little grainy.

Steven Sweeney · 09-24-2003, 10:52 AM

Patty,

You

Steven Sweeney · 09-24-2003, 11:13 AM

Two other things, quickly . . .

The triangular base of the nose, in this lighting, should be pretty much one value. Don't look deeply into that dark value to try to find some lights to pull out, thinking that you need them for form. You'll just wind up overmodeling.

Squint at the photo, and the shadow cast by the nose is very close in value to the base of the nose. Squint at the drawing. Very different, much more contrast. Go over to The Dark Side. Get in there and state it with authority.

That shadow line in the ear runs all the way down across the lobe in the drawing. Compare that to how it looks in the photo.

Patricia Joyce · 09-24-2003, 11:25 AM

Thanks, I see what you mean and I will make the adjustments on the right side of the face. Love how obvious it becomes when another set of eyes "scans" the drawing! Also, I did not understand that the light in the pupil is a "reflective suggestion of something the viewer cannot see". Today's revelation! I will make that adjustment also.

As far as the hair, do you mean that I should block in the form as defined by light and tonal range and then go back and take out highlights with a kneaded eraser to suggest hair? My approach was to execute a build up of "hairs" and then use kneaded erasure where necessary. But obviously -- please excuse my naivete -- I have yet to take a class in portraiture (starts next week, yeah!).

I have been living in an environment devoid of fellow artists, and only recently began a semi-formal education. So I am a hungry student. Hungry, hungry, hungry!

Your remarks and suggestions are taken seriously.

Lon Haverly · 09-30-2003, 01:57 AM

Lighting is your friend in this photo, and I would not be afraid to keep the contrast between the light and shadow strong. If you do not, the neck will look flabby. The few lines naturally occuring in his neck are quite alright. But the bland flab look will definitely not flatter. Keep the lines, the contrast, lose the bland and the flab.

Patricia Joyce · 09-30-2003, 03:26 PM

I was pleasantly suprised to see your post, Lon. You have been absent from the forum for awhile (I always look for your comments on this site!). Thank you, I will go home and look at the portrait one more time. I thought it was finally finished (I have worked on it since I posted the last image) but the neck, particularly the underchin area was still bothering me. Perhaps it is a contrast thing I need to adjust.

Nice to see you back, Lon. And congratulations with the PBS show, I will anxiously look for it here in Cleveland, Ohio. Please keep us posted.
Pat

Lon Haverly · 10-01-2003, 12:00 AM

(Well, its OPB - maybe PBS.) Thank you, Patricia!

Patricia Joyce · 11-10-2003, 03:01 PM

Finished, with some minor adjustments to shadow under nose.

Patricia Joyce · 11-10-2003, 03:23 PM

Sorry, file is too big even though it say 405 x 304??

Steven Sweeney · 11-13-2003, 09:47 PM

As long as 405 isn't the width, that shouldn't be the problem. Double-check the image size, and then just to jiggle spark plug wires a little, resave your file, making sure to save it in one of the permitted formats (even if you already did that). Let me know if that doesn't work.