You set the bar high!
 

Awesomely inspiring! Everything about the painting gives the feeling of such competence...both of the artist and the subjects!

This is beautiful, Alex! I love the subtle directionals in the composition and the way you have placed all these wonderful fresh colors. It makes the viewer feel as if this were a table which welcomes him/her. I often find portraits of couples to be difficult to manage and your idea of being engaged in work on a common table is an excellent device.

This is a stunner! I am so impressed.

Thank you Allan, Carol, Linda and Kim! I can't tell you how much I appreciate your support and encouragement.

The colors were quite a departure for me. I'm so glad you approve. I tried to balance the bright pinks, yellows and blues with some darks and greys, keeping the chroma more intense towards the foreground.

Here are some of the sketches I did with notes. I don't know if you can see them too well this small. They are not very good likenesses but my subjects are moving while I'm sketching so it's worse than doing a ten-second gesture sketch as far as likeness is concerned, but I try to get the essence and the gestures, things like that.

VERY nice work! The creative and natural composition is so refreshing. I also like the high key colors.

Can you tell us how big this is, who commissioned it and where it will hang? Also, can you post more closeups (hands, folders, background etc.)?

Michele , thank you! I'm glad you like the color. The playfulness of their architecture seemed to ask for this kind of color scheme.

Sorry I forgot to post the dimensions--it is 28" x 38".

It was not a commissioned work, but part of a project I am doing to help Philadelphia's arts community get more recognition, and support the arts by fundraising with revenue generated by the sale of the portraits. The Venturis are donating the portrait to the Architectural Archives at the University of Pennsylvania.

Thanks for reminding me to give a littlle more background, Michele.

Here are a few closeups:

Nice, nice, nice!

Thanks, Michele :)

Alex - this is gorgeous! You are so talented & I learn so much from your post.