Playing with the wife's kimono's!

[Leopoldo1]

I am going to do a standing portrait of Carolyn, 84"X36". Today I was playing with a couple of her kimono's, trying to establish a theme for this undertaking, using a limited light source, dark background, and the play of colors of light and dark in those silk garments.......L

PS: these Japanese kimono's are so beautiful put together, that it can make the average man feel like dressing in drag! Did I actually say that!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, what helps in this chiaruscuro, is that I can make the studio totally dark except for a tiny bit of light filtering in from a north facing window. The play of shadows can be dramatic in this kind of setup.

[Matt Sammekull]

Hi Leo.

I love kimono's.... they have the power to turn any woman/girl into the most beautiful thing ever to set their foot on this planet... well sort of anyway. I am actually a sucker for the beauty of asian women and girls... they have such beautiful dark expressive eyes, along with a blue-black hair and pinkish/yellow skin, and those doll-like lips... - a treat to paint!

This is just excellent, as this must mean we will be able to follow your progress on this new canvas of yours right from the beginning. I sure hope so.

All the best, say hi to your wife,

//Matt.. sorry ... - MB

[Biki]

is this North window light cool or warm.?

[artbabe21]

Well I see the testerone is flying already & we're just getting started...LOL

Leo, I thought this thread was about you wearing her kimono, when I first read it, after all you did wear her beret...and men DO wear kimonos!
They have the most sensous feel to that silk and are very luscious to wear!!
I like them both.....will Caroline sit/stand for you? I think it's a lovely think to do!!
But I bet that's another thread?

[guillot]

I really like the first one Leopoldo!! But they are both so beautiful. I do hope you let us see what you do with this

Tina

[JamieWG]

I vote for the pinky violet!

Jamie

[bgreenaker]

Wow, absolutely gorgeous. Thank-you for posting these pieces of eye candy.

[DanaT]

You guys crack me up.

I was getting set for a Leo self portrait kimono-style!

Now let my eyes feast on these gorgeous kimonos. Actually, I like the kimono in the first one and the lighting in the second one. I bet the red would look fantastic in that light setting.

But I'm sure any one you choose would be a gem.

[Leopoldo1]

Originally Posted by Biki

is this North window light cool or warm.?

Very good question B! As a rule, the north light is indirect and is usually cool, which it was certainly today. It was very overcast and dreary!

The more I work with portraits, the more I prefer a warm light source and cool shadows. I find the warm light brings forth more life into the skin tones. I did a series of shot's of Carolyn today with the cool northern light and found myself bummed out! I substituted a warm incandescent light bulb at the northern window and liked the results better..........L

[Leopoldo1]

Yes you guys, those kimono's are certainly gorgeous and will obivously be a challenge along with my beautiful wife's face........L

[Eugene Veszely]

Originally Posted by Leopoldo

Very good question B! As a rule, the north light is indirect and is usually cool, which it was certainly today...........L

Not if you live in Australia like Biki and I do ...it is opposite

[Leopoldo1]

Originally Posted by 1chameleon

Not if you live in Australia like Biki and I do ...it is opposite

Sorry, I forgot about you wondeful down under people! That Equator, depending on what side you are on, surely mixes things up!...........L

[Eisenhower]

Leo,

I like the red and black kimono and the lighting that goes with that
one best. Asian's love red and to me red is so asian, the pink
is cute but doesn't make it dramatic enough.

Can't wait to see this WIP. Hurry Hurry!

Kelly

[prairie painter]

I love the first one, the red and black. It would be fantastic painted as is, without a model in it! But I suppose you should use the one your wife likes best, since that will be emblematic of her personality?

[Biki]

Originally Posted by 1chameleon

Not if you live in Australia like Biki and I do ...it is opposite

But I am thinking that I am picking up that sunlight in general, whether North or South, is COOL .... is that right Leo.? - and only indoor light from a bulb is warm.

sorry - still trying to get an angle on this cool/warm thing.