Photo resources for demo

[Allan Rahbek]

Hi Jean,

Follow ups are always hard to do. It looks as if boy is "acting". This can be very hard to deal with.

I had reservations to the elder shot of him for the reasons that I told. But at a second thought I would now stick to that same photo, because it seem to be the easy one, compared to the others. And it has a paintable lighting.

If you consider, and if possible, change the background to an easier one, it will save you some trouble, when sitting at the show.

Plus two other things, make the hands smaller and turn the hat a bit.
No problem when you know how to do it on a computer.

I don

[Jean Kelly]

Hi Allan, I don't know how to manipulate photos on the computer and don't want to take the time to learn. I prefer to borrow " body parts" from family members and friends! I love that first photo of Noah for all the reasons that have been noted, but am going ahead with the one in front of the water. I won't have to guess on anything, and it will appeal to a wide range of people here in Madison.

Garth, I also love the skin tones in the first photo, and I could borrow one of my grandsons for the distorted areas and new hat placement. So it could work, but I'm not very good at the subtle variances yet. Your portrait of Tom Livesey is wonderful, technique and subject in perfect harmony. I'm just not that good yet. And I don't want to try to paint in front of people and learn a new technique too!

I think I need to add a little more head room and an inch or two to the left side of the canvas, I'm also going to tone the bright red shirt down a little. I converted it to greyscale and it doesn't look bad!

Allan, I'm going back to your thread about pitfalls in photo references, and will print it out and tape it to my easel. I will do my best to give Noah some life and energy.

Jean

[Allan Rahbek]

Hi Jean,

Why not ask for help from somebody on this site, I am sure that someone will help to replace your background, if you have another, maybe even water.

And about the over sized hands, they should be easy to reduce, I mean for a proooooo.

I really think that there are so many good qualities in that first attempt that you should stick to it.

Allan

[Jean Kelly]

Allan, you made me laugh! Maybe I should just start a poll, basketball or cowboy? I'm not worried about the background in the first photo, that can easily be replaced or modified. I can also go back there and photograph the same area without all the distractions. As Chris says, it is a typical Wisconsin neighborhood.

Chris, I respect your opinion, what do you think? That hat is fixable, the hands and basketball are fixable and the lighting is the best (a happy accident).

Jean

[Chris Saper]

Jean,

I can only tell you what I would do - and that's the cowboy hat. When you learn how to use Photoshop, you can always go back in and experiment with the basketball picture.

I have always found that people respond well to the kind of lighting drama with the cowboy hat image, and as I said, this kid has beautiful hair, and I would take the opportunity to showcase it. And I don't know how you would "fix" the baseball cap.

[Jean Kelly]

Thank you Chris.

Basketball Noah...
Well I figured out that I would have to decrease his hands and the basketball by 32% for it to be right. I would also want to fix his jacket (the left side is turned back) and add the rest of the jacket to the bottom of the painting. His hands are too close to the bottom edge. Then, turn the hat and guess what his hair would do. Now to the background, I can't put him by water cause people just look different when they are close to water. So either a plain background, or soft neighborhood behind.

Cowboy Noah...
Paint it like it is. No changes, No additions, or guessing. The show is in a old historic building right on Lake Monona, 20 feet from the entrance is water. Madison is built on an isthmus, and surrounded by a total of five lakes. Water just seems right. I will soften the deep shadows.

I love the light and his expression in the basketball photo, but for a demo, I think I'm safer with the cowboy. Since I love that version also and will have fun painting it, I think that's the one I'll go with.

Thank you everyone, your input was really helpful.

Jean