"Glass of Red"

Add a Comment

Comment by Dorian Aronson on February 6, 2012 at 4:39

Hi Susie

So this is the real thing!  Your wine glass, bottle and  fabric are very well done, your painting is beautiful.  Congratulations.........dor:))

Comment by Catherine Spencer on February 5, 2012 at 7:07

Wow !!   your glass looks so real ... good job.

Comment by Stuart J. Gourlay on February 5, 2012 at 5:54

Susie, you Coolpix is probably the better camera.  What you need is the least amount of glare possible.  There is less glare on an overcast day and less contrast, same in morning or afternoon, worst at noon.  The white paper is so I can set my white balance--many photographers use a neutral gray card instead and high end cameras allow you to set the light balance for your shots with that--that is way too complicated for me.  Any photoeditor should crop, color correct, brightness, contrast and sharpness correct.  I have been using Microsoft Digital Image Pro (no longer available) for years or Photoshop Elements, but gimp is a freebie and works well.  Just Google "gimp" and you can download it.  Most of it is intuitive.  If you are going to send images to competitions, you will have to learn how to resize them--some sites do this for you.  I am strongly considering doing Jo's onsite workshop to really learn more about brushstrokes and alla prima painting from him.  I have learned an awful lot already from his online courses and the videos and I have always wanted to go to Ontario (never been).   My grandfather used to tell me about Hamilton; but my dad never talked about it too much.  They all moved to the Chicago area when my dad finished high school and he went to Northwestern.  I was born in Chicago and my mom was from Moline, IL.  I moved to the West Coast when I was one and have lived here in the "land of the fruits and nuts" since (except for 4 years in Maryland when I was on active duty in the Army).  I actually like to call it "Superior" California here, but we sure do have the fruits and nuts out here.  I think my son is lucky to be raising his kids in the midwest and I kind of think he feels the same way.  I think that people in that part of the country put a little more stock in traditional values and the importance of home and family.  But out here, I am kind of a throwback.  The person who knows the most about Photoshop and photography on this site (and one of your friends too) is Barbara Sawyer--she taught Photoshop for a long time--she's the one who put me onto Picasa, and I got her to take Jo's classes.  Barb may be able to help you more with the photography than I can. Nice chatting with you.  I'm still in the process of moving all my stuff into my new studio under the house.  Stu 

Comment by susie gregory on February 5, 2012 at 4:24

i think i have a point and shott camera - not sure - i put it on a tripod..and so you use a white sheet of paper while you're taking the photo? - i always shoot in back out of the sun - i have never had a photography course and i see i have a lot to learn!!!..the camera i was using is an hp photosmart 945...but all of a sudden it's not working right...so then i've used my nikon coolpix.  which should i be using, do you think?..and i've never done anything in the "PHOTO EDITOR"..oops...i have so much to learn!!  that's why when i want a good digital of something for prints, i always take it to my guy....so are you going to take his on-site workshop?  what fun that would be!!!

Comment by Stuart J. Gourlay on February 5, 2012 at 2:59

Susie, if you are using a digital SLR camera you can get a polarizing filter for it. That will really cut the glare. If you have a point and shoot camera shoot in natural light but behind the shadow of your house and on an overcast day. I put a piece of very white paper or card stock under one edge of my painting and use this for my white balance ("adjust tint" in the photo editor) before you crop the photo. This works well for me. I am glad you like Jo's courses. I am thinking seriously about visiting him in Hamilton this year. My father was born and raised in Hamilton and came to the US in college; I have never been there. I may figure out how to combine it with a trip to see my son in Milwaukee. If you look on Jo's site, he has a B&B right down the street and a studio right there where he gives small group workshops. Stu

Comment by susie gregory on February 5, 2012 at 2:18

thanks stu - i think most of the things i posted in the workshops so far have had this problem.  the glare!..i try and take the photos outside in natural light but not with the sun shining directly on the piece - as you know i don't have a scanner and i don't have a hi def tv in my studio - both things we're looking into...and yes - i did see your message and jo's as well...i'm looking forward to the waterfalls.  i'm thinking of buying the trees - i have the first two photo reference and the buildings.  i really like the way he teaches!! thanks for your encouragement as usual!!

Comment by Stuart J. Gourlay on February 4, 2012 at 16:00

Nice still life Susie.  You have glare from your brush strokes.  You need a polarizing filter or very soft light to get rid of that.  If you had a scanner, this is a small enough painting that the soft light in the scanner will not cause the glare.  Looks like you are just about all set for the multi-object composition this month.  I have been to Simi winery on multiple occasions--they have some excellent wines.  You did see Jo's critique of your painting, I hope!  He liked your sky as well and made some specific comments.  Take a look on the site if you have not already.  And, send him anything you want.  He will be frank and to the point but in a very nice way.   Get ready for waterfalls!   Stu

Comment by Julie Wickham on February 4, 2012 at 12:17

I like how you have cropped this right down - also great work with the grapes