Sukey, Whose Title Is Under Construction *EDIT: New painting added!*

[sirensrising]

*Scroll down for the finished Elspeth!*

This is part of a sibset* with another painting (the as of yet unfinished "Ghostly Elspeth, Who Is, Unfortunately, Dead") - at first I really disliked it but now I'm really happy with how it turned out, in the end. I'm in love with names and I'm compiling a big list of my "old-fashioned" favourites for just this kind of work (since girls are all I draw I might as well name them!). I think I've decided on Sukey for this one (as in, "Polly put the kettle on, etc etc, Sukey take it off again, etc etc") - Elspeth was always definite but I wasn't so sure about this one, so it's liable to change. I'm still working on a title (maybe "Sukey, When She Was More Alive" or something. Although Elspeth is definitely dead, and seems aware of it in her portrait - Sukey doesn't...I'll keep you updated.)

No scans yet, if I can get a good one tomorrow I'll upload it.


Close up with Ghostly Elspeth so far:


Sukey is very much mixed media, more so than Elspeth - watercolour background, oil painted portrait, ink (painted, not a pen - oils are so difficult) outlines.

Should I add something to the background? I'm not sure if I like it simple or if it's missing something - I wanted it a bit like an old fashioned portrait in front of that mint and grey "wallpaper". What do you think? Maybe I'll just give the wallpaper some more definition or something, or maybe give her a shadow? Or should I just leave it?
There's some progress shots on my blog too, if you're interested.
Sorry for the rambling, heh.

What do you think? 

*I picked up this word from baby name forums  I mean pair...

[SharonFish]

I like this a lot. It's got a nice strong graphic feel to it, so if you do give her a drop shadow, I would keep it very simple and maybe a bit stylized. My other thought would be to add some very thin black lines to the wallpaper to continue with the general outliniy-ness of the image. Or maybe not black but a darker version of the green to keep it from competing with the subject.

[raycheezy]

Those are wonderful. I love the mixed media in Sukey. It gives her flavor. I also love the way you describe whether or not they are dead, as though they are deciding. It reminds me of a friend who talks to his food as he makes it. It's a good thing, in case I didn't make that clear   
I like Sukey the way she is. She is the center of attention, with the background as simple as it is. If you added too much to it, she might be overshadowed slightly. Just my opinon, though. Wonderful work! You make me wish I could draw/paint/anything 2-D. I'm stuck with the 3-D stuff....

[sirensrising]

Thanks lovelies! 
One of the things I was thinking was to maybe try and wash or outline the wallpaper in the watered down black ink, to make it look more old or something, but on the other hand this way it looks very "Mixed Media"-y - I'm still not sure. I also like it simple with her as the focus, and the graphic element, so if do add anything I'll be keeping it simple, definitely.

RayCheezy, "stuck" with the 3D stuff?! How could that possibly be a bad thing! I wish I could do more 3D things. And talking to food is obviously a good thing, I understand completely 

I'm glad you like it/them and thanks for the lovely comments and ideas! 

[raycheezy]

I've always wished I could draw, that's all. I have a talent for ceramics and sewing, but I've never been able to manage painting, or drawing, or even embroidery. I collect pictures. I just wish I could make them.

[goldandapel]

i like sukey just as she is. i think a plainer background goes well with her detail and darker colors.

[sirensrising]

I think drawing is a lot about practice - that way you get better at the realistic stuff, when you draw from life, and develop your own style as time goes on (and it changes all the time, I can remember loads of my different "phases" from when I was younger ). Or, you can eschew that stage altogether and go the Rothko-esque, colour, abstract route, sort of like an "eff you" to drawing

Thanks Goldandapel! I'll bear that in mind when it's crunch-time for Sukey

[sirensrising]

So, as vaguely-mentioned, here's the scan - I'm not posting it in the original post because goodness knows that's long enough.



(Look ma, I can do watermarks! Sorry about that, but as I've mentioned before I'm starting to think about selling or making prints of my work so it's going to be a necessary evil for scans from now on, I think. I put it in a place without much detail anyway, and speaking of which I think you can see the hair and such better here)

Again, there'll probably be a clickable, much closer-up detail on my blog in about...10 minutes, haha.

[sirensrising]

And here's the finished Elspeth:

oils and ink, on 6x6 canvas board.

Comments?