The following is where I’m at with Jenny’s portrait. I started off with a rough drawing and painted in the grisaille ie mostly black and white until you have the main drawing and tones complete. This looks gray because the grisaille is very much still showing. This painting requires a lot more work. A good example of what needs doing is the eyebrow, it looks painted on which it literally has been but it should not look that way 🙂
The reason for the composition came from Rembrandt. He had a tendency to light his subjects very strongly from one side or from above, with this portrait I wanted something similar but I also liked the fact that it looks like Jenny is emerging from the dark. I’m not sure how it’s going to turn out yet but it’s getting there.
