The first pass at the poser for Boulevard of Bold Dreams had issues where the portrait of Actress Hattie McDaniel didn’t quite look like the actress. I have a tendency to paint bold and spontaneously but this assignment required a more photographic look. I tightened up to get the details right in the face and then let my self loosen up a bit with the background and light effects.
I did one version of the title treatment where the Oscar was in the space inside the O in Bold. I abandoned that concept preferring to keep with the light flare effects throughout.
The challenges faced with this poster have been faced for centuries as artists try to get the details of a face correct and also add some warmth and life to the painting. I decided to spare you the early versions of the painting since the details that are are off are so subtle that It might seem Like I was sharing the same image over and over.I had recently done a painting with gem like highlights on the skin and I went for that effect in this poster.
In the end the painting worked out with delicate yellows and violets throughout. I spent much of my time wrestling with the skin tones making sure the darks were dark enough and the lights light enough. The color of the skin doesn’t matter as much as the value of the skin,
Once again I didn’t have enough time to get to the show to sketch an actual production. I had read the script and therefor know it would have been a great show to sketch.