Which Chair

[Sharon Knettell]

Brenda,

Good for you!

This is a trick I have used for children which I have mentioned before.

I have a blow-up of the picture of the child I am painting on foam-core or cardboard next to my easel on my right, then I have the child sit as best as she or he can in the same light and pose. The photo is referred to as the 'good' child and the wiggly sitter is referred to as 'the evil twin'. You get the color reference from the child and the drawing from the photo.

The painting of the child in the ballet skirt was done this way. The impish quality of the girl would have been totally lost, I feel, working only from the photo.

[Allan Rahbek]

Originally Posted by Lacey Lewis

Here it is like "A."

I like this #8 version if the arm lean could be seen a little from above at a slightly diagonal angle pointing downward.

Allan

[Brenda Ellis]

Okay, I've slept on it and I'm going with "A".

Allan, I think I understand what you're saying. I think this will be accomplished by curving the arm of the chair more toward the viewer instead of going so much to the side as it does now. I will have to do a better job of explaining where her left knee is under her dress and bringing that turned spindle toward the viewer a bit more too.
Thank you all so much for your help and input!
I'll post it when I've fixed those things.

[Brenda Ellis]

I love this chair!
(just thought I'd share that.)

[Allan Rahbek]

Originally Posted by Brenda Ellis

Allan, I think I understand what you're saying. .

Yes, I am a bit cloudy now and then.
I

[Max Howard]

Originally Posted by Lacey Lewis

Here it is like "A."

Strange, that's how I invisioned it as well. Doing away with the verticles that run off of the top edge, that is.

[Brenda Ellis]

Thanks, Max.
I have tried everything in the world and am still not happy with this comp. I appreciate everyone's input. I have changed the composition quite a bit. It felt like we were seeing just enough of a chair for it to be an important compositional element but not enough of the chair to be truly satisfying and unifying.
I took new photos of the model and have something that I think will be more easy on the eyes.
I'll post it in WIP soon. Thanks, again, everyone! I've learned a few things by this one!

[Brenda Ellis]

I do not want anyone to feel that their input hasn't been heeded. On the contrary, that is why I started from scratch again. I think this is a stronger composition, as long as I keep the darks dark and the lights light. Right now I am applying layers of color, trying to keep the whole thing unified at first.
I'll post this and the reference photo in WIP soon.
Again, thank you all for helping me to rethink the composition.