Critiques of Chloe
 

Could you please let me know what you think of this painting? I'm not sure I've color balanced the jpg files as accurately as I could. The dress is more blue in the real painting, etc.

Thanks!

Closeup
 

Here's a closeup of the Chloe painting.

Just a quickie, Michele. The highlight in the (our left) eye is too light. Knock the value down one or two spots.

Peggy

Oh, you're right! Thanks. The catch light couldn't be that prominent on the shadow side.

Hi,

Just one compositional comment, the line of the inside corner of the chair only 'touches' her hair on the (for us) left side. Perhaps making the hair on the left side broader so it overlaps that line a bit more will make the composition a little more harmonic.

Peter

Michele,

I think it is a beautiful painting. It is very realistic. Your skin tones are well done too. Nice work.

Michele, I like the little girl very much. The way she is posed in the chair with just the suggestion of the stuffed animal works very well, and her hair is beautifully done. If I had to make a criticism it would be this... you have rendered the little girl very crisply. Maybe if you could take a little shine off the chair. If you add some brush stroke and softened the edges to take some of the sheen off, it might not compete so much with the crispness of the little girl. Real nice job.

Michele,

The strong point for me in your painting is the composition and, of course, the way you captured the endearing charm of Chloe! We can always find something to change or critique even in the best of portraits but why? You have said enough with this one! Well done.........L

I agree...
 

This painting needs to be in the "Unveiling" section, not the "Critique" section.

I would not disagree with Leo. There is always something to nitpick. I have too often gone back on some well intended mission only later wishing I had left well enough alone. Yours is certainly well enough to be left alone.

It is with trepidation that I step back into this discussion. There are several points that I think could be of value to improve your painting.

Although the little girl, fuzzy animal, dress, etc., are fine in this portrait, I am having a problem with the chair. The two swift highlights on the chair behind her head are too illustrative to fit with the realistic style of the front of the painting. I would eliminate those two strokes and have a flat value behind her head. I would also eliminate the white highlight on the chair next to her (our) left knee, and the white highlight next to the wood chair arm on (our) right. I would also take out the line above the (our right) chair arm, the darker line that delineates the back of the chair from the side of the painting.

The three highlights on the (our) left chair arm are all too much the same, same size, same length. You might want to vary them a little.

Everytime you have a highlight outside the focus of the painting, your eye is drawn to that highlight. The beautiful child is competing with the less important chair.

Peggy

Michele,

I would recommend take Peggy's advice over mine anyday as I am certainly no expert, but I really thought the highlights on the chair were patterns of sunshine falling on the chair maybe through some venetian blinds nearby....I kind of liked the effect it made. But maybe it's not appropriate for a portrait as rich as this one. This is a beautiful painting! Did you paint it from a photograph?

Ahhhh! Again, you can always tickle it some more, but why make it laugh! You hit this one. Beautiful work!...L

You folks are so kind! I'm pretty happy with this painting too, but I never know if I look at my work with enough critical distance to determine if it's really any good.

Now if I can only master the art of P.R. and marketing and get some commissions coming in!

I just read Peggy's comments after typing my last post. I agree, Peggy that the white areas on the chair do take perhaps too much of the focus away from the girl. Those areas are indeed sunshine coming through the window.

And yes, I painted it from a photograph which I took of this little blonde cutie. It's a sample piece which I'll hang in a show next month in the children's section of the library in an upscale neighborhood near here.

Bravo!
 

You did a beautiful job! It is a very smootheand finished style, and very soft in its colors. It is very pleasing to look at, and captures her beautifully. I agree - it belongs in the unveiling. Nothing here to criticize.

This painting is in the style of an antique Coca-Cola advertisement - or a 1930's magazine advertisement. Carefully done, well finished, and stylish.

Agreed!
 

In aviation art [and in portraiture?], we call the hair vis-a-vis the chair's arm joint a "tangent". Probably the most common compositional "error", as well as being the hardest to avoid - don't ask how I know!

Other than that little nit, and the first one by the Pro, looks fantastic!

Great expression on her face . . .