Costuming

Linda Brandon · 09-21-2004, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michele Rushworth

Actually right now I'm painting a portrait of a man with very muscular thighs in tight white pants. You'll have to wait a couple of weeks to find out more....

Michele, you corseted wench! The mind boggles! Bullfighter? Russian acrobat?

Michael,

This is a fabulous photo, and I am so jealous! Congratulations on your commissions, too, and can we see some works in progress from you?

Sharon Knettell · 09-21-2004, 05:20 PM

Micheal,

Beautiful photo. My next painting will be of one of my former sudents, a 5'9" Japanese girl. However, she too will be a ballerina, albeit an odd one.

Linda,

Why not! You can take as many inches off your waist as you can stand, usually 2-4" for a corset beginner. There are some dedicated corset afficionados out there and they can get quite fetishy. You should see the brochure that came with my Ms. Antionette corset I got on Ebay. It put a blush on these maidenly New England cheeks.

Sharon Knettell · 09-21-2004, 06:46 PM

Michael,

I'm sorry forgot to address that part of your query. Certainly! I don't know in what way you plan to frolic, but www.meschantes.com does make a stunning corset for gentlemen.

Kimberly Dow · 09-21-2004, 10:01 PM

!!!!!

Kimberly Dow · 09-21-2004, 10:08 PM

Mu-ha-ha!

It is apparently girls-night out. Can I hear an Amen!?

This reminds me - I have a gay relative for years who has tried to get me to paint figuratives themed towards that population - on the theory that they have fewer children, are professionals and have more disposable income. I have declined, but how is that for a marketing idea?

Michael Georges · 09-22-2004, 09:27 AM

Well Sharon, corsets are not in my wardrobe, but I have a few friends who would love them.

Michele: I have a webpage for the first one already up. We have just signed the contract, and done the initial photography. I am going back this evening to reshoot the gentleman's head. The webpage is www.fineportraitsinoil.com/kennedy.htm. I put this up so the client can follow along as I work.

The other portrait is a portrait of a lady who wants to be portrayed as a victorian lady. She has had a dress custom made in the edwardian style of green satin and plans to have all of the props - from the bag to the feather fan to the dance card. I am going to paint her at the bottom of a grand staircase. The painting will be 40x60 inches. I am scared of it at the moment....

Michele Rushworth · 09-22-2004, 10:18 AM

Thanks for the info, Michael, and for the link to your site. Do you add updates to the web page as the work for your client progresses?

The painting of the lady on the stairs with all her props and costumes sounds magnificent, and intimidating. I can imagine how you must feel!

Seeing the photos of what's on your easel reminded me that I want to start a section on SOG like Cennini's "What's on the Easel" for each month. It would be great to see what everyone is up to.

Sharon Knettell · 09-22-2004, 12:03 PM

Michael,

You're a good sport. It takes courage for most men to step into a lingeree department.

You'll do just fine, I'm sure, with your next commission. May I suggest you get a hold of the only book available on William MacGregor Paxton. I got mine at my local library, there was only one in the entire state. If you have an all state library system similiar to ours you may be able to locate one. There is one available, I believe on Alibris, but it is quite pricey, as this beautiful book is no longer in print.

The reason I am suggesting this is he did a similiar painting. He had a 90's dress made and did a painting of it. It was interestingly enough, green satin. It might be worth a look.

I hope this helps.

Michael Georges · 09-23-2004, 12:00 AM

Michele: Yes, I will post updates to the page as I proceed. The page is really meant fo the client to see it and for them to get their friends and family to go to the site and view it as well. It actually works as a nice bit of advertising for me as others come and see and maybe, just maybe, want one for themselves.

BTW: Went this evening and got a better shot of his face that I will be posting in the next few days.

Sharon: Will look for the book on Paxton. - sounds interesting. I am going to be thinking "Sargeant" and "Reynolds" when I do that particular work. It might serve me to think "Paxton" too.