Figure in progress

Sandra Jackson · 03-10-2006, 11:53 AM

I haven't posted in a few years, but I've been checking the site regularly. I've been painting portraits lately, but I just began a figurative painting this week (my first face-free painting in years). I'd like to hear any comments or suggestions you may have about it. I tend to go "blind" regarding the quality/correctness of my work when I spend too much time up close with it.

The purpose of this pose, for me, was to get this foot, hair, hand, leg in shadow and floral satin fabric in the same painting. It's a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. At this point, this painting is a figure study, but I may decide to enter it in a competition or group show if all goes well.

I am still working on the hand -I've been having a little difficulty with it. I'm also working on the robe pattern and under the hair (cobalt showing through from previous painting). There will be dark wood furniture in the background with a mirror, but the values will not change much.

*The first image is a bit distorted, making the top half larger than it would be. I'll try to get another image if this is a problem.

This painting is 40"x30". Please let me know what you think.

Thank you,
Sandra

Claudemir Bonfim · 03-10-2006, 03:33 PM

Hi Sandra,
You're doing a very nice job here. My suggestion is about anatomy, it seems to me there's some distortion in the photo source you're using, her legs are a little smaller than it should be and specially her foot is too small.
But it's beautiful anyway.

Sandra Jackson · 03-10-2006, 03:52 PM

Thank you, Bonfim. I thought distortion might be a problem. I shot it again straight-on (the glare was horrible last night at this angle). I replaced the image above with the reshoot. I hope, at this point, that I've got the drawing correct. Please let me know if it still doesn't look right. Also, I'm adding this arm as soon as I get the image worked out in Photoshop.

Claudemir Bonfim · 03-10-2006, 04:00 PM

Wow, this arm is great!

Sandra Jackson · 03-21-2006, 11:15 AM

Here is the additional arm in progress. I'm having a heck of a time with this hand, but it's shaping up slowly. I'm thinking of going over the skintones with a warm glaze after it's dry. The hand is looking a little too cool to me at this point.

Richard Monro · 03-21-2006, 11:22 AM

Sandra,
This is coming nicely. I like the repositioning of the right hand. It makes a better composition. Just make sure that the appropriate adjustment is made to the right shoulder as well. There will be a subtle change because the arm has moved down and back.

Allan Rahbek · 03-21-2006, 12:22 PM

Sandra,
what a treat to follow your struggles. I also like your cool color harmony.

I think that the long finger on the table should touch it further back, in respect to the perspective.

Allan

Sandra Jackson · 03-21-2006, 05:55 PM

I worked on the hand. Does this look right? It is so easy to mess up these digits!

When I posted this, I wasn't sure if Figurative Critiques or Works in Progress would be more appropriate. It's looking like I should have chosen WIP. But, if no one minds, I'll continue here. I'm out in the suburbs of central Texas, so it's so refreshing to have feedback from actual artists again!

Allan Rahbek · 03-22-2006, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandra Jackson

I worked on the hand. Does this look right? !

Sandra,
I think that the tip of the long finger should be higher up on the painting to look as if it is placed further away from the rim of the table. I have tried to illustrate it with some perspective lines.

Allan