Tracy

JeanineJ · #1 11-15-2002, 07:07 PM

MY IMAGE(S):

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Title: Tracy
Year Created: 2002
Medium: Oil
Surface: Canvas
Dimension: 20
Allow digital alterations?: Yes!

MY COMMENTS:
Today was the second Friday with this pose. That's all we get! The model, Tracy, was melancholy. When asked why, she merely referred us to the news this morning.

MY QUESTIONS FOR THE GROUP:
The chest area was the lightest part on the model. Do you find this annoying in the composition? (Classic poses usually have the brightest light on the head.)

dhesse · #2 11-22-2002, 10:45 PM

Yes, the eye is drawn to the bright chest area which is unfortunate because the face is so visually appealing. Definitely emits a mood. Perhaps if the highlight on the forehead was the same value as the chest and the hair had a few more bright highlights it would counter and keep the eye drawn to the face.

henrik · #3 11-25-2002, 05:30 PM

Great start, and it looks like a fun model to paint with all that wild hair.

I think there are two problems with the chest area, the primary being that it is sort of equal in size to the head and (although not perfect) sort of works like a mirror image of the head. Secondly the sharp edges and high contrast between flesh and dress makes focus go to the leaf-shape created.

Another issue is that the head and hair are not "connected". The head is completely outlined with a darker band, outside of this there is the wild hair. The hair head looks superposed.

In the attached image I made the dress cover some of the chest area and I made the outline softer. I increased contrast on the face. I made some of the hihglighted strands of hair cross the darker outline of the head. I added a cast shadow from the hair on her forehead and on (our) left side to indicate volume and establish relationship head/hair.

Oh, and I made the pupils a tad darker.

(While editing I played around, and did a "what if" version where all the wild hair is removed. The result looked interesting... JeanineJ, I can post it here or mail it to you if you are interested. )

JeanineJ · #4 11-25-2002, 07:05 PM

Thank you both for valuable comments! I will make recommended changes.

henrik · #5 11-25-2002, 07:08 PM

JeanineJ said it was ok to post this too,,, so here it is.
When I was looking at the dark area surrounding the head the image of the wild hair sort of looked a bit like a wig that floating slightly above/around her, and that the dark outline was actually her own hair... ok so I was imagining... so I just got curious what it would look like if all that wild hair was removed...

The result is attached. Reminded me of madonna

or some female jesus like figure. Looks very melancholy... change dress to white and add wings and halo, and you have a perfect classic sad angel...

Anyway, do not see this as part of the critique - this was just me playing around. I do like the wild hair and the contrast it makes with the sad look.

JeanineJ · #6 11-25-2002, 09:05 PM

Dear Henrik:

I love this! How interesting the effect is. Thank you for taking time to play and post.

jnet11 · #7 11-27-2002, 11:08 AM

she seems most distorted to me, in the nose and eyes and neck

reminds me of an amyh piece. I assume you were going for realism? am I wrong?

people have strange features, I know, so I'm curious how close the likeness is.

JeanineJ · #8 12-04-2002, 02:03 PM

Jeanette, I can only report that my classmates, teacher and the model all thought I was right on with regard to features. I do not have a photo to share. If this were a commission, I would flatter her more.

I must say, I love Henrik's versions as well!

Salute to our Partners