"Joyous Skjonn" - almost complete..? (click to enlarge)
Something seemed to have “bit” me while trying to finish this Memory Portrait of Skjonn. It has been a struggle and I am not sure why. Is it her fun loving spirit and fear that I could not capture it? Or was it the color combination of being a black Labrador with both brown and blue highlights? What are your thoughts?
Anyway, it feels like I am very close to the finish line. The orange highlights were applided to help convey her wonderful personality. Are they too obvious or too bright? Then I kept some of the royal blues for the same reason. Her hooded eyes look good and I was pleased that I was able to convey the cast shadow over her right (photo’s left) eye. Perhaps some of my trepidation was purely the ‘learning opportunity’ that Skjonn presented…? I do wonder if she yet approves of her portrait! LOL!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
The orange highlights are nice but could you tone the orange down so it isn’t quite so much of a contrast? She doesn’t look so washed out compared to the other two portaits now. Compared to the other two portaits the background seems less vibrant. The eyes are perfect and you captured her smile.
Yes, I can tone the orange down on the highlights and decrease the contrast. The background is not as vibrant because of the phenomenon we call “simultaneous constrast.” This is an important concept that many artist do not fully understand – the lightness (or darkness) of a color is dependent on the lightness (or darkness) of the color around it. It is all relevant. In this case the camera is also doing it and I am not sophisticated enough in PhotoShop to change it. In reality the background is darker. I will try another photographic approach to see if I can make it more accurate. Thanks Kirsten!