Dean of University of Zadar
 

Here is my most recent commission, oil on panel, 32x24'

Upon uploading these jpgs I noticed that this site can not read embedded color profile (or something else is wrong) so on my monitor the uploaded jpgs appear different than both in my Windows image viewer and my PS CS3.

In brief - the reds and blues are way too chromatic here. Needles to say, the original colors are much less saturated.

Hello Valentino,

You know, even with the higher chroma colors, this is an engaging portrait. :)

You really feel the gentleman's energy and enthusiasm. You have a gift for hands that I admire.

Very nice portrait. :)

Valentino, congratulation on this commission. I find the pose that you and the client have chosen, with the raised hand - rather interesting. It relays to me that this is a man of great power and has to inhibitions of letting you know this.

Valentino, I don't think that you are the only one with uploading problems. I have noticed as well that colors and value shifts take on a life of their own when images are posted on the web. I don't know how others are doing it to get such nice uploads of their work. I have given up trying ~

Either way your portrait looks very nice!

Valentino,

Very nice portrait. I would love to know more about that raised fist! You can also see the "don't mess with me" message in his face. I think it is something about the look in his eyes and the upward curl of his upper lip.

On the technical side, I like the way you have simplified the colors and forms.

There is not too much manouvering space when it comes to academic portraits, particularly when one opts for seated pose.
I did not want to repeat myself (though I have not done too many portraits, dozen or less) nor copying usual poses, so I opted for this one which - yes - might be better suited to some high ranking politician, but...well, I said to myself - why not?
So I adjusted the light, told my sitter to seat comfortable, tilt his body on the right side a bit (to avoid the stilted pose), and clench his fist but not too tight . So, I tried nothing important to leave to a chance.

Pay attention to the thumb. When ones clench his/her fist in a (somewhat threatening) "power pose", the fist looks a bit different.
I am talking nuances here, but we understand body language pretty well, so in this way he gives impression of decisive, capable person (which he is), but I do not have impression that his expression conveys "don't mess with me" message.

I did simplified the colors and forms (thanks for the remark), changed the direction of the background shadow, and did some other minor adjustments in order to make composition stronger.

I can not bear to look at these high chroma colors anymore. Here is somewhat desaturated image. I hope it will look closer to original upon uploading.

It does.

Valentino-

Odlicno!

Very masterfully handled. You have captured the essence of a strong Croatian. Looks like he's ready to jump off that chair and tell you like it is!

Congratulations!

Stanka

Thanks, Stanka. :thumbsup:

Valentino--

Very nicely composed and rendered. I like the subtlety in the lighting also.

Grate job Valentino!

I can appreciate the way you have managed the pose which combined with the sitter makes your painting quite stunning.

Very nicely painted, Valentino. In addition to all the other comments here, I really admire how you have managed the folds of his dark robe.

Thank you. For the blue parts of the robe I used the mixture of W&N Thalo (red shade) + Schmincke Prussian blue.
Since those two paints would make (too) high chroma tints, I neutralized the mixture a bit with W&N Payne's gray and grey made with Schmincke Mars Black + Flake.
I added Mars black in the Thalo/Prussian blue mixture for the darkest parts of the robe, as well.

It's a very impressive strong portrait Valentino. Conratulations for it! I've seen your work before and think I'd recognize it anywhere. I like the unique way you seem to simplify the images.