After having a family critique session I went to work on the background. There was a consensus among the group that the back ground and the skin tones were too similar and the figures didn't "pop" enough. I had been trying to get away from my usual color palate of blues and greens, but it didn't seem to be working. Now it looks like this:
Hey look, Cobalt Blue! (Surprise, Surprise.)
I'm not sold yet. What do you think?? Do tell.
**UPDATE**
After some helpful comments (see below) I worked on the painting a bit more today. This photo is darker than the original painting. What do you think now? Am I getting closer? Just F.Y.I. this painting is a portrait of my nephew and his wife, both of Korean decent. They were married last September in a lovely ceremony. They had floating lotus flower shaped lights along the walkway. The lotus flower is a powerfully symbolic flower. It's roots in the mud and muck, it grows past all of the darkness to bloom beautifully above it all. It is my hope that my niece and nephew weather the harder times of marriage (and I'm not going to lie and say marriage is a picnic!) to emerge each time with a stronger and more beautiful bond. The lanterns behind them have the Korean symbol for love. The lantern on the left shows the whole symbol, while the one on the right only shows part of the symbol - hopefully it doesn't mean something else!!
Apart from the background giving me a bit of a hard time I have really enjoyed painting this portrait. It has all of the metaphoric, narrative symbolism that I enjoy working with. I hope they like it, too!
Perhaps there needs to be something that contrasts with the blue? Most of the colors in the painting are blue or at least have blue undertones. Maybe a tiny bit of orange or bright yellow that is close to the colors in the center of the flower somewhere in another part of the painting? A brighter color on the "globes"? Just a thought! Good luck. It's beautiful and I'm so impressed that you're able to wear so many hats so well!
ReplyDeleteThe background is now too dark and not happy enough for a wedding portrait. I would try a mix of pinkish and blue. Do you ever experiment with colours in photoshop? That is a great way to try things out.. will send you an email
ReplyDeletePS Otherwise it is lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathy & Kitty! Two very good observations. Sometimes it's really helpful to see your work through another persons eyes. I REALLY appreciate it and I'll post changes as they happen.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it looks great! Good to see! Glad you found our ideas helpful.. I only found this blog post accidentally though.. howcome it did not show up on my FB page? Oh my, these social media.. have you may be only posted it on your personal page?
ReplyDelete