The dancer

Monique McFarland · 03-19-2006, 11:51 AM

Thanks for all of your comments...this photo was taken by a professional photographer named Rick Elias out of California. I have received his permission to paint from it.....therefore, there will be no re-shooting, unfortunately. I looked back at my original post and notice I used the word "shooting" with regard to this show coming up...shooting for it...well, I realized that statement might have been misconstrued as though I was "shooting" photos for it, lol...nope, i'm "shooting" for it as in aiming for it...it was my goal, sorta thing...

I WISH I could photograph this sort of beautiful shot. I do admire his photography greatly..he is VERY talented.

A lot of times, as you all know...and have stated...many photos look wonderful as just that...photographic artwork...and do not make good paintings....being so new at this, I'm still struggling with that line in the sand. This is why I asked about this photo. I love the mood of it...just as my Rebecca painting...I like an emotion to be involved..a mysterious one is even better. I think that is what I like about this photo so much. It speaks volumes without saying a word.

I hadn't noticed the tangent in her body/chair area...hoping that won't be a problem. Her hand? foreshortening....well.....again, I HOPE that if I just paint what I see, it will read correctly...I may be setting myself up for a fall, but I'm not going to go into it with huge fears...

I have not painted in almost a month..if you saw my daily schedule with the three children and my husband's cattle business that i'm working on taxes for, you would know why!

SOOOO, I'm about ready to BUST. This week i'm going to start on this...I'm thinking on a little larger canvas..not too large, but is 16x20 large enough? should I go larger??? I want to blur a lot with this painting...this is very new to me..I'm a tight detailed painter but I do love very much the blurred look...sorta like Garth's work. You ALL know it....just breathtaking slightly blurred realism. LOVE IT.

Monique

Alexandra Tyng · 03-19-2006, 06:46 PM

Monique, this is such a striking photo and I think it will make a wonderful painting. The elements are balanced, everything off center by just enough to make it interesting, and the light is great.

The tangential lines should not be too hard to fix. You could bring the top barre up just a tad so it is above her head. Just start it a little higher on the right foreground, draw a line back at the same angle as it is to the corner, and bring it aross the back. The difference will be very subtle. The tangential line of the chair curve and her waist can be fixed by making the chair curve out more, or not as much, on both sides. These changes shouldn't be difficult.

I'm constantly amazed at the infinite variety of new ideas for compositions that people come up with every day. Have fun with this!

Monique McFarland · 03-19-2006, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexandra Tyng

Just start it a little higher on the right foreground, draw a line back at the same angle as it is to the corner, and bring it aross the back.

Boy oh boy....do I feel lost...lol....This sentence...I tried to understand what you are saying, but I'm having a highlighted blond moment and just, well, I just don't get it.... ??? Is it me? Please indulge me in a little more explanation... please? which foreground? the floor? the front of the bar? ok...I'm digging myself deeper and deeper here,

Thanks for the comments, by the way....I like that you are seeing potential in this photo..I really love it too. I have been VERY picky about what I wanted my version of "The Art of the Dance" to be...this did it for me. I'm not going to just paint a ballerina. I have an intention with my work and sometimes it becomes crippling to me. It has halted my painting desires for nearly a month...won't start without THE photo to go from. It was about to get the best of me until I settled with this one. Now I'm ready.

Monique

Monique McFarland · 03-19-2006, 07:22 PM

NOW I get it. You were looking at the larger, uncropped shot. I did not intend on using the larger version, but the cropped version with her as the focal point....shall I reconsider?????????????

I was going to use the crop as I showed it..without the other right side bars. Hadn't even considered using the full shot. THAT is what you were referring to as the foreground....AND that it was off center enough...wow.....I do need to reconsider, don't I. wow...glad I looked back at my post again. I forgot I had included the original shot..it is unlevel too..but I can fix that just as I did the cropped shot.

Thanks!!

Monique

Alexandra Tyng · 03-19-2006, 07:56 PM

Oh, Monique--sorry for the misunderstanding! Yes, I thought you were using the uncropped version. I admit having a preference for the full version, but that is just me. The cropped version with just the figure is also very fine and unique. Whichever you choose, I know it will be good. Sorry to confuse you.

Cindy Procious · 03-20-2006, 08:47 AM

Excellent, dramatic photo. Wish it was mine!

To answer your question about size - if you paint this on a 16" x 20" canvas, her head will be about 2 1/2" high. How tiny are your paintbrushes?

If this were my photo (sooo jealous) I would plan a painting at least 24" x 30".... if it were mine. IF... (green with envy).

Monique McFarland · 03-20-2006, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cindy Procious

Excellent, dramatic photo. Wish it was mine!

To answer your question about size - if you paint this on a 16" x 20" canvas, her head will be about 2 1/2" high. How tiny are your paintbrushes?

If this were my photo (sooo jealous) I would plan a painting at least 24" x 30".... if it were mine. IF... (green with envy).

Well, IF it were yours, (but it's not, lol)......would you do the uncropped whole studio version, her off centered, or would you do the cropped closer version.....that would be IF it were yours, even though it's not......

BTW....I went to your site....very wonderful work....wonderful...(this picture lends itself to your soft approach...I'll have to study your work) and also drifted off to see your husband's cartooning site...very witty and impressive..you two must be a very fun couple!!

Please do let me know which view you prefer.....the cropped version is all about her...the uncropped version (needs straightening, I think, as I did with the cropped one)..is more about the dance theme. What do you think?

AND, which size canvas for each version? When you suggested the size you did, which version was that for?

Monique