i-m-a-g-i-n-efx-august
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Workshops<br />
Adjusting the background towards the figure<br />
8<br />
When an image is “about” the figure, the background takes on a subservient<br />
role. I “choreograph” all secondary elements with the figure for composition and<br />
kinetic motion that redirects on to the page. Here, I need to calm the background<br />
in detail and contrast to shift the focus on to the foreground figure.<br />
Pushing the image story<br />
9<br />
I consider dressing my character in a neoclassical<br />
shroud, and then reject this in favour of elemental nudity<br />
(a possibility left open by my client). I want a weather<br />
goddess. After trying out some ideas visually, I decide to<br />
enhance the mystical quality by adding lightning, birds<br />
and a dark ribbon that I think pushes the image toward<br />
iconic and symbolic. Finding the right amount of “stuff”<br />
is an inherent balancing act.<br />
the nature of<br />
cause ‘n’ effect<br />
Whatever you do infuses<br />
all your pursuits. This is a<br />
caveat to my previous<br />
tip. Photoshop has made<br />
me fluent in aspects of<br />
image-making that do<br />
indeed inform my oil<br />
painting in a significant<br />
way. Other examples:<br />
writing about my art<br />
has clarified and focused<br />
it. Dance performances<br />
have influenced the way<br />
I portray the figure.<br />
Honing my photography<br />
skills for illustrations<br />
has changed the way<br />
I compose them, and<br />
sparked paths to<br />
personal artworks.<br />
Check with client and peers<br />
10<br />
I send the developed draft to my client and receive<br />
the coveted “I 100 per cent love it!” I’m also part of a<br />
long-time email group of trusted peers who share their<br />
works-in-progress for support and constructive criticism.<br />
This kind of support group is an awesome thing. This is<br />
the point where I’ve found their input to be invaluable.<br />
The artists who have the time, and are engaged by your<br />
image, chime in.<br />
Utilise constructive criticism, or not<br />
11<br />
I receive valuable feedback from Lars Grant West:<br />
“The ribbon feels contrived, and there are too many<br />
elements. What about bringing a magical swirl of lava<br />
up, and making birds from the lava?” Lars, Scott Fischer<br />
and Cyril Van Der Haegen: “Covering her nipple with<br />
wingtip is too convenient, so as to be an obvious<br />
distraction, seeming silly.” Donato Giancola: “Too<br />
much top-down foreshortening, and hot it all up – her<br />
and the lava. All else is sacrificial.” Donato also does a<br />
coveted visual crit “paintover.”<br />
82 August 2017