"t"
 

Hi -

This portrait is essentially finished, but feel free to make suggestions.
I met my deadline for the ad this picture is going in, but it will also be a sample for a charity auction, so anything to make it look its best.....
I see a few things, like the width of the nose and the values on the lips?

Having the forum down forced me to be my own best critic. I used Photoshop a lot to compare photo resources and art.

The two photo references are included as well as the art. I used the head from one and the body from the other. This is a continuation from the photo critique section.

Oh my gosh, Julie, this is gorgeous! My favorite of yours so far. You have flattered her tremendously (but no one will complain about that, I'm sure) and it will make a very nice ad for the dance publication. Great work!

Beautiful job on this Julie! I especially like the softening as you move away from the face and how you handled the hands.

Julie - this is fabulous! Congratulations. I especially love the hair - just terrific.

Thanks!
 

Well, thanks, everyone -

No fixes? I don't want so much flattering going on that she isn't recognizable. Although her mom had no complaints (but she is a friend, so she might not say anything).

Maybe I am my own worst critic. When I put it up on this site, lots of things occurred to me.

I'm happy with the hands, too, Terri. I thought they were going to give me fits, and was grateful that they flowed easily.

JULIE! WOW, how beautiful this is! I am so happy for you. You got a wonderful likeness AND made improvements. This girl and parents are going to be thrilled and you will get lots of business from it I am sure.

I do see what you are saying about the nose, but only because I am searching and don't think it is a real detraction. The only eensy bitsy nitpick is the spot of green on our right cheek seems to jump out at me, one little smudge of your finger ought to tone that down a notch.

Again, I just love it! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Little smudges
 

Hi Mary -

I'll give it a little smudge. There's a lot more nit-picking I could do with this, but I don't have the time to fiddle with it much. I also confirmed to myself that I need do a lot more drawing practice.

I've definitely learned about pastels from this -

I used Colorfix pastel paper and the tooth didn't hold up in places. Had to spray fixative over those areas to get some traction. Next time I will try to get to the store that has the Wallis paper.

I also learned that it is better to get all the darks as right as possible the first time, because when I went back into them do corrections, the dust fell into the light areas and then I had to do those parts all over again.

Next time, I will place a cloth on the floor and cover up the keyboard. I am not one of those artists who never gets a smudge on anything. It gets all over the clothes, on the face, on any surface nearby.....

Julie, are you tilting your painting slightly forward? If not do so, that way the dark won't fall onto your painting when you need to add it.

I have some Wallis paper, and I am not sure if I like it or not, it feels so different from the other sanded papers that maybe I just haven't gotten used to the feel. I really LOVE the La Carte, though the Wallis is more versatile.

Next time...
 

Hi Mary -

I will have to see if my easel tilts forward - I think it does. I was working in the back of the house, where the computer is, and didn't bother bring the easel back there. My studio is at the other end of the house.
I guess if I want to work from the computer, I will either have to move it or else set up my easel by it next time.

The sanded paper was nice - it was just by the time I added the lightest pastel to some areas, I had worn off the sand. My fault, because I overworked some parts.

Julie,

You really knocked my socks off with this one!

One comment if it isn't too late, I think you can shave a little off the cheek to our left, the one away from the viewer. Just a little.

Otherwise the skin color and composition you put together is wonderful. I saw the pictures and you have done a great job on a chubby but attractive subject.

A little off the side, please...
 

HI Sharon -

No - it's not too late. And - thanks for the compliment!

Julie,

Beautiful job! And those hands!! They are simply...masterful.

Julie,
My yes, this is your finest work to date. Very good job flattering her just the right amount.
The only thing I noticed that I might change is the intensity of the flowers. They just seem a little dull to me in comparison to the original photo. On the other hand, you may not want to draw attention away from her sweet face.
Either way, fantastic work there gal!

Julie, you did a beautiful job on this and flattered your model at the same time.

Jean

You're all very kind
 

Thanks, everyone. Heidi, you guessed correctly - I deliberately dulled down the flowers - I felt they were too bright a pink and competed for attention too much in their original colors.

Julie, just noticed it, great job. Everything looks so well handled. I would tho, appreciate if you could post a closeup of the face. There's something about the eyes, they don't feel like they're staring at me. They look like they're staring just a bit away. You know how when you walk around a painting, the eyes follow you around the room, I'm not feeling that. It could just be a need for a closeup, I've had drawings not have that stare when viewed too small on a monitor.

Other than what could just be a monitor thing, congrats and good luck with the ad.

Closeup coming
 

Hi Jimmie -

I'll post a closeup when I get home tonight.

Closeup
 

Here is a closeup of the face. I couldn't comment on it at work. What do you think?

That left eye, there is not contrast between the white and the iris, which is why it was probably hard to see what was going on on the monitor. I may need to delineate the edge of the iris more. And do you think the pupil on the left hand eye tracks okay with the right eye? Feel free ....

Julie,

As far as I am concerned the eyes track. A subtle outline of the iris would work but it should be subtler than the dominant eye.

But it looks like the lower lid on the far eye should be a fuller curve, like it is on the near eye. Symmetry = beauty in most faces. Since this portrait is flattering her already and since it will be an important marketing piece for you, I'd go ahead and make the eye shapes match more.

Thanks for the closeup. It does work better now that's it's easier to see. I also agree with Michelle about the shape of the lower lid. :thumbsup:

The "eyes" have it - or do they?
 

Thanks, everyone. I will work on it a bit more and post tomorrow.

Dear Julie,

My apologies for not posting sooner. Here are some thoughts on what is already very successful!

Sharon is right about the amount of face that shows on the turning away cheek. this is easiest to see be comparing how much space lies betwee the lip and face on both photo and painting. The curve of the cheekbone, in the photo, sits about where the tip of the nose is - you might want to recheck to see of your nose is long enough.

The eyes look right to me, yet you might want to verify that the pupils are the same size - the pupil on our left looks larger to me.

I like the fact that you have placed richer color in the lips, and as result, you could probably pick out a few areas in the flowers to raise the saturation, as long as it doesn't , as you are wise to consider ,compete with the face.

I think this is the favorite piece of yours that I have seen, and I know it will look just great in the ad!

PS I know what you mean about the ColorFix - I thought: if I sneezed, the whole painting would just waft away.

Going a little nuts, but hanging in there....
 

Hi Chris -

Thanks for your note. I am almost ready to post again - I think I've fixed the eyes but that cheek is driving me nuts - first I take a little off, then put a little back, ad nauseum. I'm going to have to stop soon or I am going to mess things up. I did, due to yours and Heidi's encouragement, add a touch more color to the flowers. It will be up in the next hour, I hope.

Here it is - hope it's done....
 

It feels like I made lots of little changes. If nothing else, this is teaching me better how to look and SEE things.....

Take a look, let me know what you think. I'm tired, going to sleep, will check back later.....

Stop Now!
 

Just beautiful! Go forth with confidence and collect the check!

Ditto. The adjustments are great. The extra tiny gleam in her eye adds a lot. You went from fantastic to perfect.

You should be completely proud of yourself, it is quite beautiful and very impressive! :thumbsup:

Ready to go....
 

Thanks! It's framed and ready to put in the private school's auction as a portrait sample.

Wish me luck....this will be the third charity auction in as many months.
I offered (and am offering) a 25% off coupon for the winning bidder.
The other two coupons have had takers, but haven't heard from anyone yet.

Hi Julie-- Whatever you did, you did beautifully! This is even better than before... Good luck with the charity auctions!

Hi Julie! I am new here and I didn't feel comfortable putting in my two cents (or less) worth. I have however, been watching the thread and I couldn't resist telling you those last few minor changes you made to the eyes made a huge difference. The portrait was stunning and beautiful to begin with fo course, but the final little touches really enhanced its beauty. I really admire this piece. Good luck with the auction!

Here's my vote of confidence too, Julie. The last little touches were well worth it!

Jean

Thanks
 

Thanks, everyone. I'll let you know if any commissions come in as a result.