Skip to main content

Gray (Stanley's Profile)


 

"Gray (Stanley's Profile)," 6" square, done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, one of two paintings starring this sweet little muse (the other one was shared yesterday). Inquiries may come to me.
 

 

I wanted to point out that while the nature of my subject matter dictates that I primarily work from reference photos, I make certain to also use artistic liberties to create a piece that is entirely new.

 
For instance, the background in the photo for "Gray" was dark and flat like the picture in the sidebar. Softening that background allows the viewer to notice all the other edges inside the painting, not just the profile edge. It also turns the eye into the focal point (since the eye now contains the largest area of the darkes dark).

 
I also relied on my visual memory to add details to the painting that were not present in the photograph. Hints of color inside the iris, a wash of pink underneath the lighter fur to warm up and refer to Stanley's skin, and a richer array of middle tones to five the fur density and interest, just to name a few.

 
In my book, there's far more to using reference photos than being able to copy them, hair for hair.

 
Off to a journalling class!
Toodle-loo,
Kim

 
PS My client has a couple days to make up her mind, so if you are interested in either of the Stanley paintings (yesterday's or today's) please let me know and I'll keep you in the loop. Thanks!!
 



 
What Makes a Good Reference Photo?
Part II

 
I shared a few tips yesterday, and want to continue that thread today.

 
The animal does not have to be looking at the camera. Have a friend dangle a treat just outside the picture frame, and snap some shots.

 
Butt shots are entirely ok. Wagging tails or dogs trotting off translate to nice paintings.

 
Photograph black dogs in the shade on a sunny day - give it a try and you'll be delighted at the results!!.

 
Photos taken outside in the early morning and late evening have extra drama.

 
Don't place the animal between you and a light source unless you WANT a silhouetted shot.

 
And remember to turn off your flash!!
 
 
 
 
Labels:

Comments

  1. martinealison3:17 AM

    Une belle peinture avec gray ...
    Gros bisous

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kimberly Kelly Santini9:12 PM

    Many thanks, Martine. Many, many thanks!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Picture Book "A Dog Named Blue" - now available!!

The cover of "A Dog Named Blue," now available from Blurb publishers. When I first painted Amelia I never imagined that she would be re-christened "Blue" and inspire a book. In her defense, Amelia had a number of other partners in crime - animals who's portraits seemed to fall into a specific color category and prompt color-centric names. In typical ADD fashion, my brain started spinning 100mph. What if I turned those muses' paintings into a picture book for animal loving kids? I shared my idea with three friends in the industry, and they eagerly offered their expertise. I am truly indebted to them. Illustrator and author Matt Faulkner and children's book author and literacy expert Kristen Remenar edited an early version of the draft. They suggested key plot/conceptual changes that made it oodles better. Designer Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson worked her magic, pairing the images with perfectly color...
1 comment
Read more

Tabby Kit

"Tabby Kit," 5" x 7", acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a tiny little orange striped guy from Morgue File . This painting can be yours for $289, which includes s&h inside the US. And in case you didn't see it, a little doodle of him is also available for sale here . Inquires may come directly to me .  Although it certainly doesn't FEEL like spring here (snow and ice and wind chills, brr!), I can tell that spring is coming. The mercury is rising a wee bit each day and the days are getting longer and brighter. Over the weekend we drove with the moonroof open just to feel the sun's meager and oh-so-very-welcome warmth (although the heat in the car was cranked, too, in the interest of full disclosure!). I wanted to work with spring-like colors today, and this little guy was still on my mind , so I grabbed a small panel and got to work. Of course, I also have Poppy to finish and some changes to make to another po...
Post a Comment
Read more

Dear Copyright Thieves

Dear Copyright Thieves,   Just because it's on the internet doesn't mean it's free for the taking. So let's just stop pretending the internet is a free-for-all.   Don't play the card that you didn't know - that's insulting. And don't also tell me that you meant to follow up and get permission but never got a chance to. That's insulting too. And by the way, don't you have a copyright protection notice on your own site?   And don't even try and point the finger at a third party who commissioned you to make a copy of my painting - again, an insult - you and I both know the difference between a reference photo and a painting.   And don't tell me that I asked for it because I share my artwork on the internet. I share my paintings and ideas and the stories behind them so as to encourage others to pursue  their own passions . I do not share so that those lacking integrity and morals can copy and market the images as their own...
33 comments
Read more