WIP: Jewel in the Mirror

LADickerman · #1 04-29-2012, 04:34 PM

MY IMAGE(S):

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Title: WIP: Jewel in the Mirror
Year Created:
Medium: Acrylic
Surface: Canvas
Dimension: 6x8
Allow digital alterations?: Yes!

MY COMMENTS:
This is just the beginning...I'm trying to finish up the background before I get into the details.

MY QUESTIONS FOR THE GROUP:
I"m not sure how to get the mirror to look reflective in acrylic, as I've not been using Acrylics but a month or so. Any suggestions are most welcome.

ohanarts · #2 04-29-2012, 08:43 PM

The darker blue wall on the side would be reflected as well as the counter by her elbow. Decide what your background is and put it in out of focus a bit. After this, take a lighter shade of blue on a dry brush and draw a wide line up from her elbow.

Debzy · #3 04-30-2012, 09:29 AM

I am no expert, especially with mirrors, but I love the subject and the title, and I think it will be an adorable painting if you can pull it off! The hair and the dress are already looking gorgeous! =)) Cheers and keep working on it. Debs.

LADickerman · #4 04-30-2012, 11:04 PM

Thank you for your tips. I am hoping I can pull it off. This is my granddaughter who is now 11. It is my favorite picture of her when she was young. I've done reflections in watercolor on curved objects. I'm thinking they are easier than a mirrror.

LADickerman · #5 05-06-2012, 10:02 AM

Mirrors are really tough. Here is my modified version. Is there something else I should enhance on or am I done. My granddaughter tells me to stop. Course that's because she wants it. Its of her. LOL

Lorianne

Debzy · #6 05-07-2012, 07:24 AM

I think although her right hand is in the distance, it is a bit claw-like, and the fingers need to be a bit less pointy. I'm not sure that the reflection of her face is quite in the right line, i could be wrong? i would add some more subtle tonal changes to her left arm, rather than the outline, but it depends what you want in the painting, to be realistic or to give a general impression. I think it is delightful as it is, but if it were mine, I would do more work on it. I love the dress, but again, if it were mine I would add more variation in tone to suggest the fabric and folds. Having said that, if you are happy with it, and I can understand why your granddaughter is impatient, you have done a fine job and certainly captured the innocence of a very pretty and curious little treasure. =)) I love it. Debs.

ohanarts · #7 05-07-2012, 12:26 PM

I agree with everything Debzy had to say. Be watchful of your shading. Otherwise, very cute. Tough subject, mirrors.

LADickerman · #8 05-07-2012, 09:26 PM

Thank you Debzy and Ohanarts. I know it needs more depth. I am more of any illustrator than a painter...but I'm getting more painterly with time. This piece is a 8x10 and I need a different fine brush. I think the one I have is more like a rigor brush. I need to get something a little stiffer for that claw looking hand. I'm really new to acrylics and don't have all the tools yet. I appreciate your C&C.
Lorianne

Debzy · #9 05-08-2012, 04:50 AM

You are welcome and I hope I didn't offend you by saying claw-like? I didn't mean any offence? And yes, you would be a very good illustrator I can see that in your work. I think story books etc would be perfect for your style. However, I do like your work for a painting too, and yes sometimes brushes can make all the difference. I only recently tried acrylics for the first time myself and they do take some getting used to. They always dry darker than you think they will and can leave a painting looking bit flat. having said that, at least they can be worked over and over to lighten them up and make any changes you wish and quite easily! good luck, you have a lovely approach and style. Cheers. Debs. =))

LADickerman · #10 05-08-2012, 09:11 PM

No offense taken at all. I'm on here for honesty. If I didn't want honesty, I'd ask my family.

I noticed I had created the claw look when I tried to put some grey between the fingers to get rid of the club hand I had earlier.

Reason for my style is because I worked as an illustrator for 16 years...mostly with markers, pen and ink, and then the computer. I really want to learn to be more painterly...so I'm giving a lot of different mediums a try to see where my niche' might be. I like watercolors because it makes me be looser, but it also stresses me a little because my training and habits are to be precise and tight. I'm not to worried about it though...I have the rest of my life to learn and play.

Lorianne

AllanFink1960 · #11 05-25-2012, 05:41 PM

wow cool subject.
Very norman rockwell like image.

I would suggest lowering the intensity of the background blue, because intense colors come forward. Make it much more gray (use orange to mix with the blue) and a lot darker. Then mirror that in the mirror behind and around the girl.

You are a bit ambiguous with your source of light, so a bit stronger highlights and shadows would be good.

Keep up the good work. Off to a great start.

LADickerman · #12 05-28-2012, 04:38 PM

I am still struggling with this one. I don't know why. The wall and counter are actually white. Here is the original photo:

Now here is my next rendition:

Any C&C are most welcome.

Lori Anne

LADickerman · #13 05-28-2012, 04:40 PM

OMG...now that I seen them like this on the screen above and below each other...I can see a ton of things to change.

eyecandy2 · #14 05-29-2012, 02:30 PM

Just keep looking at that photo and see how you lose so much because you are too timid with your colors. Look at how the darker image in the mirror contrasts the reflected light on the cheek and forhead separating them. If you want those beautiful shiny highlights in her hair, you have to make the surrounding areas darker. Burnt umber and yellow ocre will help in getting you there and don't be afraid of the burnt umber. Check those skin tones and see the purples in the shadows. Maybe a little chromium green mixed into the purple to sudue it somewhat. Note that right hand and how it is in shadow. That helps to pop her blond hair. In your reflection, you made the pupil of her eye too large. Check it out. Almost everything that I have said here has to do with values. Without the variety of values, we end up with a flat and dull painting. Work on it. I'm sure you can do it and if you spoil this one, try another.

ahughes798 · #15 05-30-2012, 10:05 AM

Hey, ladickerman, you can be precise and tight in watercolour. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I guess there's a couple of memos from watercolour that I missed, especially the "Watercolour must be loose," one, LOL! You have a nice painting going on! Phil gave you some excellent advice on how to make this painting even stronger.

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