rebel boy final pre-varnish

[ehoeveler]

Whaddaya think? Also, should I use Gloss or Matte varnish? Elizabeth

[johnwalkeasy]

Matte, I belive would be a better finsh. Gloss may ten to glare and make it hard to look at. Am trying to see what the reflextion in the eyeglass is. Also wondering is the eyeglass and it's metal work part of a custom. Like the two backgrounds on either side. This work is very good.

[Erika Takacs]

Congratulations, Elizabeth. I don't know if I'm right, but I see a provocative defiance on his face, extremely well executed. I think maybe the small area around the tip of his nose might need a bit more work, it's not as well developed as other parts of his face. I would also suggest matte finish.

Erika

[ehoeveler]

Thanks, John and Erika; The glasses are custom and yes, the reflection
is kinda iffy! Erica, I think you are right about the nose, I'll do a little touch-up. Elizabeth

[roxy-foxy]

Hi Elizabeth,
I would like to comment the painting, as I promised, but I am afraid I can't use this photo.
Please, would you post another photo? Try to minimize the reflection from the surface of the painting. I can't see the real colours especially on the dark side of the face.
Have you been inspired by the movie "Blood diamonds" or documentary "Black diamonds"? Why do you choose to paint this boy?

What is the medium? What is the size?

Regards,
Anelia

[ehoeveler]

Hi, Anelia; I know, that photo is rough ( my husband took the shot).
There was an artists call in Atlanta to donate work for the victims
of the Sierra Leone civil wars throughout the 90s'. My piece is a
portrait of a young boy conscripted into the Revolutionary United
Front, a bloodthirsty group of rebels who mainly looted, raped and
killed in their quest for supremacy. Even though the boy took part
in this vile mayhem, he is still a victim because he was ordered to
by older, deadlier soldiers. Elizabeth
PS - will try to get a better shot.

[roxy-foxy]

Hi Elizabeth,
It is not easy to take a shot which won't compromise the quality of the painting.
You didn't answer my question about the media. I hope you have plenty of time to refine your work before varnishing (on oil paints after 6 months at least). I prefer to do first varnish coating - gloss and second coating - matte , so I can keep colours unchanged and have a good matte finish.

Do you really think that "he is still a victim because he was ordered to
by older"? I would say "Yes" when you started, and "No" when you finish the painting.

Emotionally, I liked more the painting you've posted first even it is not completed it portrays a victim (innocent child), on the final version the boy has such smug expression which left no room for compassion (very well painted by the way).
Proportions of the face, light and shadows on the first version are better than in the second, especially the nose. In the final version the nose is not connected with the eye, the tip is not well defined. The background is slightly changed but in the new version it became pretty trivial (as per every textbook recommendations) and doesn't contribute to the story, in contrary on the first it builds a natural continuity. I would do some minor changes on the dark side of the mouth, on the eye, eyelid and eye
ow.

Regards,
Anelia

[Erika Takacs]

The painting is called "Rebel Boy" for a reason, and his expression is showing just that. The unfinished version had more innocence to it, true, but would you feel compassion towards the boy when you or someone you love was shot by him?

But he's still a child, and that is shown here by the way he's wearing those
oken sunglasses. A child with guns who still needs to play.

Erika

[ehoeveler]

Very good, Anelia; You and Erika are correct about the tip of the nose.
Anelia, I agree about the nose to eye, eyelid and eye
ow. I did actually make those changes at the last minute and he looks better. As far as looking innocent or not, I just kinda let that thing go anyway it was supposed to, and the predatorial look is what I got. Picture done in water-based oil on canvas.
Now, this is between you and me, girls; because I had to send this thing out quickly I sprayed it with clear Krylon to make it dry faster! It does look glossy, but still pretty and it did dry on time. Have I commited an Art no-no? Is the picture screwed?.... I'll take a photo at the show to share final adjustments. Elizabeth

[ehoeveler]

Sorry no final pic because the boy sold, and my husband took a crappy
picture at the show! Thanks for all your help, ladies. ehoeveler

[roxy-foxy]

I am really sorry Elizabeth.
Why do you always rely on your husband to take the photos? He wasn't very good previously, was he? You could sell prints if you have good copy of your painting. Do you still have the copy right?

[Erika Takacs]

Wow, Elizabeth, congratulations!!!

Erika

[ehoeveler]

I know, Anelia, but my photo
shots are worse than his! Thanks,
Erika, will be in touch. Elizabeth

[roxy-foxy]

Elizabeth,
Apparently it was a great event. I’ve seen a couple of very good works donated for the victims in Sierra Leone. I would like to see more. Usually galleries post the photos on their web sites, would you be able to give us a link to the web site of the organizers.
Thank you in advance.
Anelia

[ehoeveler]

atlemergency@gmail.com is the contact for more info. I think they
might be having another auction in about 6 months. Elizabeth

[roxy-foxy]

Thanks a million, Elizabeth.

[roxy-foxy]

I've seen their site. It is poor and outdated. There were only two events in the calendar for Fe
uary and unfortunately no word about the show. What's a pity, they could at least make a note for the sake of courtesy if they don't have time to make a gallery.

[ehoeveler]

Yeah, it's the kind of thing that was set up by doctors and health care
students at Emory College. Emory is a prestigious school, but these guys don't understand about PR and such. The show itself was pretty small, but I think these people have good hearts, they just don't know how to market! Todd Barnett, the co-ordinator is just a young physicians' assistant flyin' by the seat of his pants. He promises that the next auction will be bigger with more PR. I would like you to remember one thing, Anelia, there are no small shows when the customer buys your work! I donated the procedes of the sale (90 bucks) to Friends and as a result of this show I have a happy customer who wants to know if I have a web-site and when I'm going to have more paintings. Elizabeth

[roxy-foxy]

Absolutely agree with you, Elizabeth. I've done the same a couple of times and will do in the future. I think a bit more publicity of such great ideas won't harm, in the opposite could attract more volunteers, but we are living in real world and there are limitations...
By the way, do you have a web site?

Regards,
Anelia

[ehoeveler]

Ha-Ha, no I don't. I'm gonna whip out some more stuff, find a good photographer, and then set up a site. Elizabeth