Hi Jeanine,

I'm enjoying watching your portrait progress. You're certainly getting expert advice so I really don't have much to add, especially at this stage. I only have one question: do you really need the scroll with ""Samantha" on it? I checked your website (very nice work, by the way!) to see if putting scrolls into paintings was something you normally do, but it doesn't look that way. In my opinion (and you certainly don't have to agree), the scroll takes away from the simple, elegant composition, and adds an ambiguity to the illusion which you may not want. It also crowds the space. As Michele pointed out, having the dark, empty space around the girl accentuates her smallness and draws all the attention to her. My tendency would be to ruthlessly eliminate anything that doesn't fit with the concept of simple, light pink-and-white girl focal point surrounded by darkness.

Alex

SamColorLayInBackground2
 

Michele,

Thank you for your encouragement about size and placement. I needed that!


Alexandra,

I have taken your advice!

Your website is so impressive! I especially admire how each of your portraits tells a story without feeling cluttered.

Best,
Jeanine

Samantha Color Figure
 

My client returned yesterday and here is the next phase.

Looks great, Jeanine! I'm hoping you'll post some closer closeups as this progresses.

Me too! Me too! Yes, I admit I have been watching this develop and I am really enjoying it. Lovely so far. Can't wait to see more.

Samantha More for Christmas
 

Dear Alexandra and Lisa,
Thank you for the encouraging words!

To all,
This painting will be continued in mid-December. My husband and I have flown south to our home in Cape Coral, FL Florida for the winter. We will return for the holidays when I plan to go back into this with fresh eyes. It was very difficult to leave her while everything was nice and wet!

To be continued.