Orange Blossom WIP
Elitha | 11/12/2008 @995 | edit post

Hi, everyone!! It's been a while since I posted one of these, but I really need some help. This painting started out as a simple doodle, but then a story unfolded behind it and I really want to finish it and actually be proud of it (instead of the way I usually cringe and think 'Why can't I just produce ONE decent painting?') Also, because I feel that I rely on references far too often, I decided to test myself and see if I could paint an image from start to finish without a single ref. Here are the steps: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. And this is where I am right now: So far I've spent about 13 hours on it, and it definitely needs a lot more work. And because I hadn't used a single reference (something I've never done before), I know the anatomy is messed up. I think it's the way her body is angled, or something of that sort. Or maybe the head's too big, or the shoulders too narrow. And there's definitely something wrong with her hand. I just don't know how to fix any of it.. Also, what should I do with the background? I want it to be something interesting, but not distracting from the main figure. All criticism is welcome, even harsh or brutal comments (but please, don't just say that it's ugly, or that you hate it -- give me a reason why so that I can try to fix it).

Re: Orange Blossom WIP
SandraS | 11/13/2008 @051 | edit post

Great work! Her face is sooo beautiful... I can't believe how much you've improved since the last wip I saw from you! Nice color palette and good work on the dress. I like the contrast between the warm color of the dress and her somewhat cool skin. Right now her neck is way too long - which is the main error I can find here. Her shoulders might be too narrow, but maybe not. It depends on if she is a girl or a young woman. You could, however, give some volume to her chest. It looks a bit flat right now. You can try placing some vague hint of shadow on her neck. The collarbones is a bit off. Time to look at a reference? Or better, try look at yourself in the mirror and see where the collarbones end. They should end a bit higher. Then... I think you should paint her left arm too. It would look so much better if it wasn't hidden behind there. I know it's much easier to not paint it, but try to push yourself! Also, have you tried out some alternative positions for her right arm? There is something with the position that makes the whole painting look a bit out of balance. Have you tried a more frontal position of her body and arms? I ask you this because the expression she has doesn't match the soft movement of her body. But hum.... maybe it would work anyway, if her left arm was placed in that direction too.. Oh well, hope this helps! [Message edited on 11/13 @053]

Re: Orange Blossom WIP
Elitha | 11/13/2008 @172 | edit post

Sandra, thank you so much!! You have no idea how incredibly helpful you are! The arm had been bothering me since the start, but I kept thinking that it just looked funny because it was unfinished and that once done it would look fine. And then I was just too scared and timid to paint the thing over, so I stuck with it. But you're completely right, so I gave up on my whole 'paint a picture completely from my imagination' idea and took a snapshot of myself to use as a ref, and changed the position of her arm: I also made her neck a bit shorter. Is it better? Or still too long? And now I have no idea what to do with the other arm..

Re: Orange Blossom WIP
Daykan | 11/13/2008 @292 | edit post

Lena, this is really beautiful!! Yeap, the neck look a bit long and a bit thick. Face it´s beautiful!

Re: Orange Blossom WIP
SandraS | 11/13/2008 @618 | edit post

Glad it help some! The neck is still a bit too long. Don't be afraid to be drastic! When it comes to the position, it looks a lot better. But when you are painting a character, always try to put yourself in your characters place, and think about how his or her story is. How is her mood, what is she thinking? And try to think about how her position would be according to that. Even if the painting is the most simple in the world. I did some (crappy) overpaints for you, hope you don't mind. I also came to think to that her dress doesn't reveal much of her figure and what direction it's facing. Maybe some more work on the volume and gravity of the dress? The overpaint of the dress was just a test to see how it might look like... [Message edited on 11/13 @619]

Re: Orange Blossom WIP
Elitha | 11/13/2008 @683 | edit post

Sandra, thank you!! (again ) You really are amazing You have given me a lot of ideas to think over and play with. As for the character, there's actually a long backstory to go with this one, and nearly every element of the painting has symbolic meaning. In this picture, I treid to make her look slightly doll-like, or as if she's in a trance. Daykan -- Thank you! I'll fix the neck And I'll see what I can do with that dress [Message edited on 11/15 @876]

Re: Orange Blossom WIP
Elitha | 11/17/2008 @114 | edit post

small update:

Re: Orange Blossom WIP
Daykan | 11/17/2008 @242 | edit post

It´s beautiful! Now i just see some distractive area in the nose, and the eye it´s like out of focus, some little uneven. The hair it´s really nice, and the dress look good. Keep working, this could be amazing!

Re: Orange Blossom WIP
SandraS | 11/17/2008 @341 | edit post

Awesome! It's looking much better! ^_^ I like the new relaxed position of her arms, and her neck looks fine now. Keep working!

Re: Orange Blossom WIP
Elitha | 11/18/2008 @170 | edit post

Thanks guys Any suggestions as to what to do with the background? I tried a river, but I couldn't get the perspective right.

Re: Orange Blossom WIP
Daykan | 11/18/2008 @276 | edit post

A waterfall?? Or just the forest, look nice.

Re: Orange Blossom WIP
pegahoul | 11/21/2008 @788 | edit post

The face is gorgeous. This is just my taste, but i think the color is too pale