Folks,

Painting Lily, from Andrea's "Lily of the Lamplight" soon. I've never painted a female before and wish to avoid making her appear too masculine and gritty like most of the figures I paint. What are some techniques to use, and what pitfalls should I avoid? I paint in oils over acrylic/enamel. Thanks.

Best advice I can offer...keep your colour layers very thin...avoid too much warmth in the skin tones....and use images from a google search of similar real life females.

Regards

Ron

I agree with Ron above, also keep the contrasts of the shadows to the highlights to a minimum
Ben

Also images of oil on canvas portraits of women, I found this useful when painting my recent Amy Johnson bust.

Roger.

Hmm, I have a book on painting females, I can help out a bit, just need to access a scanner.....

Off the top of my head, it's softer tones, less contrast, and making things like cheek blush, lipstick work. (Lipstick is a bit easier of you give it a touch of gloss)

Looking at the website art, there is an implied sheen to her blonde hair, I think the skin tones done in oils while the clothes are done in acrylic would really make this one shine.

Question: are you contemplating giving her stockings or similar?

Cheers

Jamie

Hi John .... kinda depends whether or not you're painting it as ( I hope) a night scene ' underneath the lantern....'.
If you are then you've got to really go for it. Most colours in the evening and paticularly under gas lighting take on a 'greyish' hue with blueish highlights.
As to the face all you need to do is use the great Marlene Dietrich as your reference.