The story behind this image: I was needing (wanting) a new backdrop that had a real painted look. I had a huge white canvas that I was using for location shoots.
I called my brother, who is an artist living in Charleston, SC, and asked if he would come up and paint it for me. Neither of us had ever
painted a photographic backdrop before, but the art principles must be the same we figured. A couple of hours and lots of burnt umber later it was finished.
We decided to test it. This was one of the test photographs. I loved this one because the shadows are strong, and yet fade nicely, leaving some details.
I painted it a few weeks later and now it is one of my favorites. I was especially pleased with how the feet turned out.
The color and lighting reminds me of how they look in many paintings by the Old Masters.