This class involves learning the complexities of painting directly from life. Dual emphasis on exploration paint and surface, as well as the figure will be developed. This course will cover the history and appreciation of contemporary painting and will cover a wide range of painting techniques. Students will work up to developing their own personal style within the confines of academic figurative art.
I love the contrast in color shifts from the ground, to the chair, to the model. My only suggestion is to maybe make the background color a tiny bit lighter so he doesn't fade in with the top portion a bit.
This piece has such control in the medium being used. The watercolor to me almost mimics oils or acrylis with its opaque quality. The figure feels warm and brings mood to the dark surrounding, I would only address frame a little more.
I think there is a lot of potential for compositional strength in this painting. However I think it would need to be adjusted to really accomplish that. I think the frame is off. Currently it feels too narrow, and while I love the height above him (because he seems to look up) he feels cramped in the space. I also love the light that is presented. It is very convincing in general, but it seems too isolated, especially considering the luminosity of the figure. I believe that bringing some of that stark light across and behind the figure would really help to accent the light that is there. In general I find this piece very appealing, and mostly for the qualities that I would work on, but adding just a little more to them would help tie it all together beautifully.
If you were to crop the top and bottom of this piece it would improve your composition. Overall your proportions are working well, the only improvement could be in the head. Your face needs more detail and the girth of the neck could be reduced in size. There needs be more of a distinction between wall and floor.
I agree with James, I really enjoy the height above him but I feel like there is too much ground beneath him, I think if it was cropped just a bit after where his foot and chair are placed that that the image would feel better balanced. I really like the hints of yellow and blue in the background. I think it would be nice to have just a bit more defining features in the hands, feet, and face. I don't know if it is because of the photo but those features blend in together for me so they should be defined more.
When it comes to compositions I love extreme dimensions and with the elongated frame, it helps to thin out your figure. His face ends up becoming almost sharp which is emphasized by the frame. I don't think there is enough variation in the value in the background, so some depth is lost because of the kind of ambiguous horizon line.
I hadn't noticed so many colours in the shadows until I zoomed in on the digital version and if that isn't just the coolest thing then I don't know what is. They really work well with the skin tones to really make him stand out. I feel like a lot of critiques have been centering around the composition, so I don't want to keep on with it. I can't recall what was discussed in class about the shining light source, but looking at it again it distracts me more than I remember. Was that intentional?
I love the way you used watercolor for this painting, it looks really nice! I think your use of cool colors is done well. Its a little bit difficult for me to critique because you have that part on there that is not painted... I can't remember if you said its done or if you didn't have time to finish. Also, the color combo used in the background compliments the orange/peach skin tones nicely and makes the figure POP!!
You have handled many aspects of this painting well, especially considering the size. The proportions are very good,your use of light/shadow/reflectivity is believable and compelling, and the figure is well grounded. I agree that the composition feels a bit narrow, but I think that cropping it (especially since its already so small) would not necessarily aid the composition of the piece of the whole. If i had to handle it, I would tape/glue this strip to a new piece of 18 x 24 watercolor paper, and fill out the remaining space with more background or light.
the fact that you placed the actual light source (and very well i might add) adds a lot of power to your piece. the proportions are well done in the arms and legs. but the head and torso comes off a little flat. your palette choice in terms of flesh tone is very good but it could use more extreme cools and warms
I feel that the length of the paper is a little bit too long for the figure and would improve the composition if the paper was cropped on both the top and the bottom. Like we discussed in class I wish that the white on the right hand corner was covered, because it's making it feel a little unfinished. I think you have your proportions of the body pretty well, but I wish there was more shading on the pectorals, as it looks a little flat right now.
This painting makes me believe the figure thrives in the shadows but loves to show himself in the light.
ReplyDeleteI love the contrast in color shifts from the ground, to the chair, to the model. My only suggestion is to maybe make the background color a tiny bit lighter so he doesn't fade in with the top portion a bit.
ReplyDeleteThis piece has such control in the medium being used. The watercolor to me almost mimics oils or acrylis with its opaque quality. The figure feels warm and brings mood to the dark surrounding, I would only address frame a little more.
ReplyDeleteI think there is a lot of potential for compositional strength in this painting. However I think it would need to be adjusted to really accomplish that. I think the frame is off. Currently it feels too narrow, and while I love the height above him (because he seems to look up) he feels cramped in the space. I also love the light that is presented. It is very convincing in general, but it seems too isolated, especially considering the luminosity of the figure. I believe that bringing some of that stark light across and behind the figure would really help to accent the light that is there. In general I find this piece very appealing, and mostly for the qualities that I would work on, but adding just a little more to them would help tie it all together beautifully.
ReplyDeleteIf you were to crop the top and bottom of this piece it would improve your composition. Overall your proportions are working well, the only improvement could be in the head. Your face needs more detail and the girth of the neck could be reduced in size. There needs be more of a distinction between wall and floor.
ReplyDeleteI agree with James, I really enjoy the height above him but I feel like there is too much ground beneath him, I think if it was cropped just a bit after where his foot and chair are placed that that the image would feel better balanced. I really like the hints of yellow and blue in the background. I think it would be nice to have just a bit more defining features in the hands, feet, and face. I don't know if it is because of the photo but those features blend in together for me so they should be defined more.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to compositions I love extreme dimensions and with the elongated frame, it helps to thin out your figure. His face ends up becoming almost sharp which is emphasized by the frame. I don't think there is enough variation in the value in the background, so some depth is lost because of the kind of ambiguous horizon line.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't noticed so many colours in the shadows until I zoomed in on the digital version and if that isn't just the coolest thing then I don't know what is. They really work well with the skin tones to really make him stand out. I feel like a lot of critiques have been centering around the composition, so I don't want to keep on with it. I can't recall what was discussed in class about the shining light source, but looking at it again it distracts me more than I remember. Was that intentional?
ReplyDeleteI love the way you used watercolor for this painting, it looks really nice! I think your use of cool colors is done well. Its a little bit difficult for me to critique because you have that part on there that is not painted... I can't remember if you said its done or if you didn't have time to finish. Also, the color combo used in the background compliments the orange/peach skin tones nicely and makes the figure POP!!
ReplyDeleteYou have handled many aspects of this painting well, especially considering the size. The proportions are very good,your use of light/shadow/reflectivity is believable and compelling, and the figure is well grounded. I agree that the composition feels a bit narrow, but I think that cropping it (especially since its already so small) would not necessarily aid the composition of the piece of the whole. If i had to handle it, I would tape/glue this strip to a new piece of 18 x 24 watercolor paper, and fill out the remaining space with more background or light.
ReplyDeletethe fact that you placed the actual light source (and very well i might add) adds a lot of power to your piece. the proportions are well done in the arms and legs. but the head and torso comes off a little flat. your palette choice in terms of flesh tone is very good but it could use more extreme cools and warms
ReplyDeleteI feel that the length of the paper is a little bit too long for the figure and would improve the composition if the paper was cropped on both the top and the bottom. Like we discussed in class I wish that the white on the right hand corner was covered, because it's making it feel a little unfinished. I think you have your proportions of the body pretty well, but I wish there was more shading on the pectorals, as it looks a little flat right now.
ReplyDelete