Melanie Harbin's Comments

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At 16:07 on August 26, 2012, Carol Brock said…

Hi Melanie

your portraits are amazing. Thanks for your comments on the boatshed, really helpful as it is my first workshop.

Carol

At 4:39 on June 16, 2012, Dorian Aronson said…

Hi Melanie

I am in love with that pony! After seeing your  work, there is nothing  you can't paint including a rose....................dor : ))

At 18:53 on June 3, 2012, Ruby said…

Hi Melanie. Thank you for the invite, would love to be your friend.

At 5:34 on October 23, 2011, hazel cronin said…
Hi Melanie, many thanks for your positive comment - your work is super, loved your dog on the boat - Hazel
At 13:29 on January 27, 2011, Maria S Cabrero said…
You are very welcome and have to tell you, I have never had a horse! all I know is that I love them and I think they are magnificent creatures. I love all kind of animals =)
At 13:24 on January 27, 2011, Maria S Cabrero said…
Thanks! its an honor =)
At 19:29 on January 14, 2011, Patricia Genever said…
You're welcome Melanie, and thank you for your compliments.  I appreciate them.
At 2:31 on January 10, 2011, Roena King said…
That is pretty funny..........I thought you were on the "other" site.  whoops
At 22:57 on December 18, 2010, Angeline Rijkeboer said…

Thank you for your comment on the parrots.

Have a nice day and Merry Christmas.

At 17:08 on December 12, 2010, Roena King said…

Hey there.......I am delighted that you ask me to be on your friends list.  I gladly accept. Ro  PS...Your gallery is wonderful.   I just got to look at it again when I was typing this note.

At 13:12 on September 23, 2010, Roena King said…
Melanie, I just sent you our summer - best photos - sent to my friends. All but the last one are just scroll down and a have a look see. I had a really good time taking the pic.....playing just like I knew what I was doing! ha ha ha Ro
At 13:53 on September 22, 2010, Roena King said…
Awww, you are so sweet. Thank you so much for the gift. I appreciate it so very much. Ro PS....do you like flowers? I have taken a lot of great pic this summer - nice close up ones - sent to my friends and it would only be as hard as to forward the e-mails if you think you want to look see. Same way as the birds, in a letter where you just scroll down. Ro
At 5:25 on September 21, 2010, Roena King said…
Back to the heron painting. I usually do a lot of research when I am going to do a painting so I have a ton of really good photos of birds if you think you like this idea. Interested? I can send. Ro
At 10:27 on August 28, 2010, Melanie Harbin said…
Hello Sylvain! First of all you are a fabulous artist and your portraits are very beautiful!
Regarding the color checker: I did not purchase the DVD and I think I am working with it well. You will learn on your own that you will need to hold the instrument at the same angle as the reference and capture the same lighting while trying to avoid reflection. Use only one eye and do not put a lot of paint on the checker, just enough to cover the metal completely and smoothly. If you purchase it let me know how it works out for you.
Happy painting!......Melanie
At 9:58 on August 28, 2010, Sylvain Bruneau said…
Hi Melanie!

We share the same passion for portraits and I find yours very good. I saw the ad about the color checker, and I wonder if it is easy to use or if we should buy the Carder DVD to learn how to use it.

I'm a french canadian so my english... :)
At 9:01 on August 28, 2010, Melanie Harbin said…
If reading this start on comment below.
The tool is from "The Carder Method" and is called a color checker, not to be confused with a color chart that has the same name. This cost around $15 and worth it. They sell and attest to other things that I cannot verify.
My color selection for portraits is made after careful observation. I always will use the colors in the clothing as well as the background as much as possible. Clothing definitely plays a big role for there is usually more reflection than you might think. I do not use the same palette for every portrait for every face is different. If you want to know more about the paints I use let me know and I will be happy to share whatever knowledge I have.
I have soooo much more to learn and will be happy to share as I go along.
At 8:46 on August 28, 2010, Melanie Harbin said…
If reading this start on comment below .
The book that helped me the most is "Painting Beautiful Skin Tones with Color and Light" by Chris Saper. Understanding the color of light was a breakthrough for me. I also suggest to find the artist of whom you admire the most and buy their books. I have developed my style of painting and mixing by taking little bits here and there from the artist I admire the most. I have also bought a tool that I find very useful. I bought it from a mag. ad but they have a web sight. It is a small metal viewing tool that lets you compare the paint you just mixed to the object you want to match to. It really helped me with value a lot which was a big problem. Most artist just starting portraits tend to make the skin tones to light (me included). This tool will help you correct that.
At 8:34 on August 28, 2010, Melanie Harbin said…
Thanks Peter for your coments. It is never easy for me to get the skin tones just right. I usually spend hours mixing the skin and generally mix around 7 to 9 tones for each painting. I mix one for the highlight, two for skin tone in the light, one for the turning edge, two for skin tones in shade, one for reflection, and two tones for complete shade (the darkest darks). Then I will be adjusting these tones as I paint because there can be many colors in one's face.
I am going to try not to write to much but still give enough info that might help anyone who might be interested. I can no longer see what I am typing past this line so I will have to start a new comment.
At 18:08 on August 26, 2010, Gail Runciman-Nicholls said…
Hi Melanie,
Thanks for the comments on the Western Art! Australia & America share some very similar areas and interests - especially when oit comes to horses! :-))
At 23:12 on August 24, 2010, Peni Baker said…
I could only wish that I was published somewhere. Possibly you have seen me on another site simular to this one. I'm retired and have only just begun marketing myself. I have been an artist all my life but my paintings tend to look a little like photos. Yours look like pieces of beautiful artwork. I have been searching for books that will show me how to achive the effect that you have but there doesn't seem to be anything around and I don't want to take 4 years of art study in an institute somewhere just to learn to paint more like an artist instead of a camera. Any tips for me?
Also, I found you on face book and want to add you as a friend. May I.

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