Thanks, Mike.

Hi Julie, I love it too.

The light and how all the local colors relate to the light is masterfully rendered.

The pose / composition is very pleasing, could you tell something more about the rectangle thing?

Congratulations on a wonderful finished product! It feels good to finish a commission, doesn't it? Well done.

The boy is wonderful, but above all the mood here is marvelous. I love that light. I love that weather, the evening rolling dark clouds with long low light. I crave it and you satisfied me. A pleasure to watch.
dj*

Many thanks.

Allan, it is a way of dividing a canvas according to geometric proportions. It's not a foolproof method, but it helped me align significant lines in the composition to relate to the rectangle shape within which they were contained. Here is one link, although I prefer Aristides' book with her examples:
http://artiseternal.wordpress.com/20...e-proportions/

Natalie, yes, it was satisfying to see the mom's and grandma's delight with the finished product.

Thanks, Debra. I am glad you enjoy it.

Just Beautiful!
 

Julie, I am completely charmed by your painting! I admire every part of it, from his expression to your style. The parents of the child have a real gem!

This is one of the most intelligent and unsentimental children's portraits I have seen. You have allowed a glimpse of a future "emerging adult" while at the present depicting the boy. Bravo! Love it!

Thanks, Carol and Debra. However, I have a confession to make. The family moved to Europe before I was able to get a good reference photo. A friend of theirs took the photo, and it was a wonderful shot. My part was to work on the composition and the painting. His mom considers the painting as one way to remember their stay overseas.

This started me thinking: was it okay to post here when the reference photo wasn't mine? I feel that since I took it as raw material, refined it and produced a portrait from it, that it was okay to share the results.

Terrific, Julie!

Great feeling for the light. I'm with the other folks...I think this is one of your best.

--TE