Shirt Tales

Most of this afternoon's work has been on the blouse, especially the left side sleeve. I've always marveled at the way the old masters painted such precise and beautiful folds in garments; a couple of years ago, I visited a show of work by students and contemporaries of Michelangelo, and it was a surprise to find out that the masters dipped the clothing in some sort of stiffener to preserve the folds for painting. I can't do that, but photography provides a useful means for doing the same thing. Now the trick is to very carefully observe the way light helps to model the fabric.

The Promise Of Evening, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)