Ballerina girl - Page 2

Alexandra Tyng · 03-03-2006, 09:35 AM

Cindy, what about a boy? He could be a teenager or a little boy. You already have two girls, so someone is predictably going to ask whether you paint males also!

The main thing is figuring out who you are targeting and what kind of portraits they are most likely to commission. My intuition tells me you shouldn't try to hit too many markets at once. If you paint a man, it shows your versatility, but most (?) portraits of men seem to be job-related. So you would be hitting another market. Not that you can't do it, but people like to focus on one thing at once and you are trying to put ideas in their heads.

Michele Rushworth · 03-03-2006, 10:20 AM

Two thirds of the portrait market is kids under 10. I would paint a little boy, wearing a white polo shirt. If you can pose him outdoors, so much the better.

Cindy Procious · 03-03-2006, 04:14 PM

Thanks Alex and Michele. A boy it is. I happen to have one handy - but, he HATES shirts with collars, so I'll have to pay him handsomely to wear one.

I appreciate the input.

Alexandra Tyng · 02-25-2006, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linda Brandon

This painting has great charm without being cloying or too-precious.

My thoughts exactly! She's just sitting naturally, a regular little girl with the charm of her individual personality in her expression. There's no feeling of "little girl in ballerina outfit" cliche. I love the way you have used blue in the shadows and repeated the pink and blue. Impressive and totally engaging!

Elizabeth Schott · 02-26-2006, 11:49 AM

Cindy this is certainly a Four Forums Thumbs Up! Bravo!

Side note to a moderator... this should be moved to the pro section.

Cindy Procious · 02-26-2006, 12:20 PM

Thanks Alex and Beth, for your kind words.

Janet Kimantas · 02-26-2006, 01:47 PM

As sweet and perfect as she looks, this painting is so full of life! I feel that as soon as I looked away, her feet started swinging and her torso started twisting on the stool. And of course, I want to echo everything else already said. Lovely painting. Janet

David Draime · 02-26-2006, 02:38 PM

Cindy, this is truly an exceptional portrait. As has already been said, you've managed to paint this little girl in a way that transcends all of the lesser qualities, the cliche's that are so often associated with this particular subject matter; ie., an overly cute or sentimental portrayal. My first reaction to this piece is not: "Oh, isn't she sweet and lovely" (though she certainly is), but rather, "what an incredible painting!!" I think when an artist can detach from - or at least subordinate - the easy emotions, the sentimentality that the subject (this subject in particular) prompts in all of us, and instead focuses first and foremost on mastering the requirements of the painting itself - as a painting - that's the beginning of greatness. Then, ironically, the subject matter - even a smiling child in a tutu - will have greater depth, gravity, emotion.

And this is a great painting.

Michele Rushworth · 02-26-2006, 03:33 PM

Your best yet!

Cindy Procious · 02-27-2006, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Draime

My first reaction to this piece is not: "Oh, isn't she sweet and lovely" (though she certainly is), but rather, "what an incredible painting!!"

David, thank you for saying that. I have always wished for the ability to paint in a more artistic fashion, rather than just be a human mimeograph. Too often, (okay, always) I feel as though I have an ability to draw, but not much artistic talent.

So, this makes me feel as though I've made at least a little progress towards my goal. Thank you.

Thanks, too, Michele and Janet.