WIP Critique Lili Marleen

[brian]

Experimental figure in black and white,it needs more work as it's turning out to be a bit more difficult to know when it's finished reagarding contrasts.Would welcome suggestions.
Brian

View attachment 141708

 

[swralph]

I can understand how difficult this would be but it seems to be getting there.maybe a bit more shading would make it pop

 

[Magnus]

Hi Brian, I think your figure needs more areas of white/lighter grey to make it more interesting. As it is now, it appears rather monochrome. If you look at black and white photographs you have quite a lot of light areas, especially since she is standing under the lamplight. Attaching one example, of course it is a studio photograph and your painting might be realistic but I think the bolder contrasts make for a more spectacular figure. Especially when working in a gray scale.

 

[Figure Mad]

Hi Brian, also making warm and cold greys will help to bring the figure to life, just hints, but do agree with Magnus, extreme contrasts will help, don't be afraid of going further than you would normally as it will need it...

Dave

 

[Blind Pew]

I'd go with what they guys have said, Brian. This is one of those rare occasions where more is more.

I know I wouldn't fancy it...

Good luck!

 

[brian]

It goes against the grain for me to paint extreme contrasts normally, hence the reason for some feedback.I'll just have to bite the bullet and go for it.I appreciate the info from you Magnus as i had already realised the monochrome effect I had, so what you said was helpful.I knew you would have some input Dave as I've seen your excellent contrasts on some of your figures.
I thank everybody who commented.
Brian

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

Brian, what these guys are saying, where my thoughts exactly!... with black and white, .. you may have to move out of your comfort zone! and look at high contrast!... otherwise it will just look like a grey prime, with initial shading! It is what you say! 'Black & White', you may well have to accentuate those two limited colours! A bloody hard task! unless you look at sepia! which is equally difficult.

Mark

 

[megroot]

Great start Brian, but you put some more contrast.
So I agree with the comments before me, and be sure I will follow this one closely.
It is a hard task to bring this to a satisfying end.
But beware that all the blacks are looking the same. Then you going to the picture Mark has uploaded. You can't see the difference between pants and coat.


marc

 

[Don]

Hard to know what adjustments to make really Brian, you did such a lovely job on your Templar all in grey that I have no doubt you will bring it off.

Don

 

[brian]

I've put this one on the back burner for the moment and get on with something different.Thanks for all your comments
Brian

 

[DEL]

So yet again poor Lili Marleen waits beneath the lamplight

 

[Helm]

Looks very nice Brian, you do these so well, I'm contemplating a sepia figure with a growing sense of doom
Steve