Thinking Beyond Your Photo Reference

A new student started my Thursday Evening Studio Class a few weeks ago. Until last year, Freddie hadn't picked-up a paint brush in nearly 30 years. She was also one my students at the American Academy of Art back in the '80s. 

(Figure 1) Photo Reference

(Figure 2) Student's Thumbnail Sketch

Fredi came to me with her photo reference (Figure 1) and herthumbnail pencil sketch (Figure 2.) We talked about composition and I told her to think through her sketch, don't just copy what you see. I always stress photos are just a starting point and you have to make it your own - you are the artist telling a story - communicating a mood, how you want them to view it, a feeling...

I presented a revised solution (Figure 3) sharing with her some key leanings. Her composition was very confining, it needed adjustments in proportion of space allowing the viewer's eye to easily move through the picture space.

(Figure 3) Popovich's Proposed Sketch

Now it was time to start painting. As far as the choice of colors Freddie had some recent experience in color, but I felt she needed to focus, so I limited her selection to a four-color palette which was easier to control:
* Cobalt Blue
* Burnt Sienna
* Olive Green
* Yellow Ochre
Then we did a paint-along demo (Figure 4). And Freddie's painting was a success!

(Figure 4) Popovich's Limited Palette Color Sketch