First a quick rant about MODEL MAYHEM – the online site I was excited about in my last blog. After reaching out to a few models in the Reno area via this site, describing what I needed, and requesting going rates if interested, I have had zero responses. Professionally I would think some sort of response – even a ‘not interested’ – would be less rude than completely ignoring me. The site has a very ‘Facebook’ feel to it. You browse models, send them friend requests, comment on their photos, and send messages. So All I can figure is either the models I reached out to either don’t think I’m legit, they’re out of my league, or they’re just not interested. I’ll keep my account for at least another month to see if things improve, but if not I’m bailing on that place.
I finally got in some good painting time tonight. I haven’t posted in a few days, but since then I worked on the dresser top and her hat. Tonight I tackled the hand on her hip and arm. It was incredibly time-consuming and I’m still not super happy with it, but it feels good to have gotten most of it completed. That hand was a pain to paint. It looks way better than it did in the last stage.
It’s about midnight so I should probably go to bed. Maybe tomorrow I can work on the other arm and chest. I put my skin paint mixes in a little rubbermaid container and then put it in the freezer. This way I won’t have to mix the skin colors again. Once the skin is done, the only things I have left are the corset, the skirt, the hair, and the trinkets on the dresser. I still think I need to put something reflecting in the mirror and maybe darken it a bit. And the table doesn’t seem to be blending well with the paint around it, but maybe it’s because everything is still drying. I’ll save it for last. There’s a method called ‘oiling out’ where you take a makeup sponge and rub linseed oil over the dark areas to bring them all back to life (as it dries, the darks dull). Then I can see how everything looks together and adjust accordingly. At the very end I will decide if I need to scumble or glaze, and then I’ll let it dry for about a week and varnish it. At that point it will be finished.
