Mother & Child

Carol Norton · 08-05-2005, 11:51 AM

Tricia, your choice of subject matter is one of the most endearing for me. I love it, the composition, brushwork, skin tones, ... and everything about it.

Linda Brandon · 08-05-2005, 12:58 PM

I love this too, Tricia. Your color harmonies are perfect for this intimate painting and the way you've handled the skin transitions from light to shadow is excellent. REALLY a super job.

Tricia Migdoll · 08-05-2005, 05:24 PM

Thank you ladies,

You are all giving me more confidence.

Cynthia Feustel · 08-06-2005, 09:42 AM

Trica,

There are many different ways to judge a painting as successful; good composition, technique, edges, brushwork, etc. and you have certainly succeeded on all accounts. But I think that the most important thing is the emotion you evoke in the viewer. I was brought to tears remembering that intimate moment with my children ,who are now grown. What a tender memory. Thank you for touching my heart.
Just beatifully done!!

Cynthia

Brenda Ellis · 08-06-2005, 10:02 AM

Tricia,

This is lovely in every way.

The things I like best are the baby's head and hair and the background color. This background color is really good. I saw the reference photos and don't remember seeing this color (my memory isn't always trustworthy). How did you come up with it?

And I love the new take on an age-old subject. Seeing this kind of work reminds me that no matter how much our species progresses, what really matters to us is truly eternal.

Tricia Migdoll · 08-06-2005, 10:58 PM

Thank you all.

I am really delighted with the response to this.

Hi Brenda,

Originally I had the background blue, but I remebered that a background should be warm, (according to David Leffel) so I just played with the creamy green, and found that it complemented the soft skin tones.

I did do a blue background on the attached portrait. I think it worked ok because I used sepia tones to the skin, so the blue complimented.
Do you agree.?

I am still figuring why some backgrounds work & others don't.

Brenda Ellis · 08-07-2005, 04:55 PM

Tricia,

I like the background color in this one too. Possibly a a deep reddish would have worked for this also? The contrast in color works, though, and I think it's good that it's dark.

I am still learning about backgrounds too. I don't always know what works, but I know what I like!

There seems to be a great difference in style between this one and the Mother and Child, or maybe it's the difference in mood that is giving me that impression. How long ago did you do this one?

Tricia Migdoll · 08-07-2005, 05:23 PM

I did this one in March this year. It was from a B&W photo, so I didn't try working in warms & cools.

I don't really have a style yet. I just try different things, and they either work, or they don't.

I am still fumbling in the dark. Feedback helps me to understand what works and what doesn't. I find the negative feedback the most helpful.