Planning Joanna's Portrait

This is the finished portrait of Joanna.

20" x 24" Oil on canvas

It was a verrrrry complicated project. 

I was asked to include the following items in this portrait and wondered how on earth I was going to design this portrait to hold it all and not detract from the sitter, Joanna.

Here's what's in the portrait (besides Joanna):

A particular wooded scene

Figure sitting under a tree

Fall leaves

Foliage including herbs

Three special blue rocks

Deer antlers

Granite boulders

Gazelle

Blue jay

Wild boar

Lotus flower

Newt

Water (drops)

Wand

Trident

Snake

A circle within a triangle within a circle (symbol)

Luna moth

Sea turtle

Antique bracelet 

Antique ring

Feathers

And an adorable little pet rat named Lola

So....here's how I got it all in.....

Sketch #1

I took a reference photo, printed it out on my inkjet printer and taped it to a piece of scrap cardboard.

Then I painted on top of it (using oil paint) to determine the overall color and composition. If I'm going to show this to somebody, I am a bit more careful to make it look "good."

Sketch #2

I liked the background colors in this sketch.

I liked the two poses above but the client did not like the face so I did another photo shoot in my studio.

The picture above is complicated enough that I could sneak a lot of unrelated elements into it.

Sketch #3

This pix was from the second photo shoot. The pose was too contrived and it ultimately cut down on my background options.

Sketch #4

This is the figure I used but I didn't like the skirt so I changed it in another shoot. I lightened the foreground and added foliage to break up the form.

Basically none of these sketches worked out as is but it helped to clarify my thinking and gave the client some idea where I was going with this painting.

For the background, I used a combination of Sketches 1, 2 and 4 above. Sketch 3 shows how narrow the face is and it "looks more" like the sitter. Unfortunately I did not notice this in the original reference photo we chose. Drat.

The unassuming little oil sketch always saves the day! The little preliminary oil sketch will save a lot of time, materials and headaches.

The Unassuming Little Oil Sketch Saves The Day

I was sorting through the inevitable stack of annoying "studio stuff" that tends to collect in my corners. I found this oil sketch of my favorite model, Gwyneth. It is a "failed study" ** for a painting that I never got around to starting.

Oil Sketch for a Painting of Gwyneth

8" x 10" oil on paper with masking tape

Although I can easily fix this sketch, I'll have to put it on the back burner with the others until I have the time to give it some serious attention and make it work.

I always make an oil sketch prior to beginning a large portrait. It resolves issues of value, color, compositional elements, and background that would be a nightmare if I were to try to resolve them in the final painting.

Here's my best hard-earned advice for any inexperienced painter reading this: If an oil sketch doesn't look good - the final painting won't look good either.

An original oil sketch (however ratty around the edges) will sit on my easel as a guide to get me through the final (larger) painting.

It is an extra effort but well worth it.

This is an oil sketch that sits on my easel right now. It is only 8 1/3" x 10" but it is guiding me through a much larger historical portrait that is 25" x 30."  

The original photo reference I'm using is a faded 150 year old daguerrotype that did not show many clear details. The handbill, frock coat and background is made up...there is no way I could paint the finished piece without this little guide. 

The Oil Sketch is never meant to "nail a likeness"...that's my job for the final.

Sometimes I paint on paper, cardboard or even directly on my reference photo.

Sometimes I paint this quickie oil sketch if I have a red-hot visual idea and use it as a guide to set up and photograph the model.

** Be sure to check out the comments added below if you are wondering why I think that the Gwyneth Oil Sketch doesn't work as is.