Now What - Bridal Portrait series

 

Now What

9 x 12

Oil on Raymar Panel
NFS

This is a study for a larger piece.  I decided to do a series of wedding paintings for an upcoming show.  In preparation I am doing some small studies before I tackle the larger canvases.  This source photo was taken at my niece's wedding.  I took a little poetic license with the piece but am pretty happy with the overall result.  I am sure I will adjust a bit when I do the larger piece.  

I titled it "Now What" because so often there is a let-down after all the planning and celebrating is done.  Then we get on with our lives.  

Scroll down to see the process and experimentation for this piece.  

First I blocked everything in deciding to place the groom's head behind the bride's arm for anonymity of the piece.  I originally wanted the dress to be a warm light ochre color.  I used a pthalo blue to darken the folds.  I put a red flower in the vase at her elbow which I later found distracting and not really helping the story line. 

After the block in I darkened the back walls for a dramatic effect and "dirtied" the dress to make it look rumpled and worn because it is the end of the reception.  Her curls are coming undone...the groom is more relaxed looking.  I put a bottle of champagne and an empty glass where the red flower was.  

I am not happy with the result here.  Maybe too dark?  Maybe just not working in mind.  It is not what I wanted when I began the piece. 

Here I lightened things up and I am happier...but not thrilled...soooooo...

back to the top for the one I like best.  

Stay tuned for the final larger version...in a month or so.