wow barrie...
this is a strong silouette... i can see how you might think to do that on a back pose.... and maybe the lighting was such that you wanted to do that. but i think you should experiment with trying this with more of the poses... it is really wonderful.

--
...draunaturel
* It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye. - the Fox to the Little Prince חמש-חמש

Thanks Royce, I though it turned out interesting, strong muscular masculine back, treated very gently. Funny thing is I just got finished telling someone else on DA that the key to good composition is strategic value contrast - OK, do as I say and ... . I think, as you say, the contrast here is the silloette of the back against the white paper. As always, thank you. Best, Barrie

--
Make my day by visiting my gallery.

very good barrie
and you are welcome

--
...draunaturel
* It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye. - the Fox to the Little Prince חמש-חמש

I think you are target about strong value contrast...but sometimes that just isnt what the painting is needed...I mean not the approach needed..to make some point or to give a better representation of what is there..you have to break rules..sometimes.
But I am with you on values...and feel they get underated in importance.
That said..I still sometimes cringe at making those really dark areas...really dark. It can be intimidating.

As for this painting...the softer modeling isnt at all out of place with a male body...men have curves to, but in different ways. Yeah there are those 1 percent body fat guys, but for the most part, muscles are curved, rounded and softer looking then perception tells us.

--
So if you meet me Have some courtesy Have some sympathy, and some taste Use all your well-learned politesse Or Ill lay your soul to waste, um yeah

A day without sunshine is like....night.

I'm glad that you see our softer side Kelli! I certainly appreciate those qualities in women.

--
Make my day by visiting my gallery.

i enjoy very much the way how you smearing [thats the write word?] the colors.
i love the yellow who forming the body, and the sudennly red spot.
it could be also front, not necessary back. with out the face. its reminding me of negative of silhouette.
what i like about that is, that the image looking shining!

--
hanna

brave and lovely. The colors are wonderful as are the lines.

What a wonderful critique Hanna - thank you. Yes, the colors did a lot of merging or smearing because I kept the area quite wet and encouraged mixing on the paper. Interesting observation you had that it could be seen as his front view as well. I didn't intend that, but I like the idea of this duality. Thank you for seeing and noting that. In any case, I am very pleased that you like it. Barrie

--
Make my day by visiting my gallery.

A beautiful back. I really like how the shadows down the spine have turned out
'mono-value multi-tones' ? Can I clarify my understanding ? Value - how light or dark something is. Tone - how light or dark something is. I think you experiment was to try mono-value multi-hue eg a full intensity yellow would have the same value as a watered down blue? Which is an interesting idea to try for modelling the human form.

--
"You see things; and you say 'why?' But I dream things that never were; and say 'Why not?' "- Shaw
DA Gallery [link]