Sara and Jordan
 

Hi Everyone,

I have received such terrific advice in the oil forum, I have decided to seek advice here too!

This is a pastel portrait I am working on, 28 x 22 inches, on sanded paper. The mother is pleased with it at this point, but I know there is always room for improvement. I have backed off on the eyebrows making them less prominent than they are in the photo. Evidently this was a good decision, because the mother is pleased with the likeness.

I have opted not to put too much detail in the dog's feet, so that more emphasis would be on the faces.

Any suggestions?

Your comments are appreciated.

Mary

The reference photo
 

Here is my main reference...

Fine tuning
 

I always find that the fine tuning is the hardest, but worthwhile. When one has put so much effort into an already successful result, as you have, why not push it to another level if one can?

These are my thoughts. You have made the hair to the left and right of the chin quite dark as is in the photo. It doesn't seem that you have matched other areas tonally in the same way.

For example, underneath the dog and the girl and also inside the dogs rear leg are equally as dark tonally in the photograph as the darkest parts of the hair. Perhaps you might like to look at these areas and match your tones similarly in your portrait. I know it is hard to tell with photos and computers, but it was just a thought.

Good luck with it.

Value check
 

Hi Rachel,

As I look at the pastel next to the photo I do notice some areas that I could push a little further as far as values go. I'll go ahead and make some adjustments. Thanks for your comments!

Mary

I keep going back and forth to look at these. I would paste them side by side on the computer to check your measurements. I think in yours her eyes are too large. They are sitting there on the face, but not going in as the sockets should. Perhaps darkening the values around the eyes would help.

It's too bad the mother liked the eyebrows played down, that's a big part of how she looks.

Hi Kim,

Thanks for your reply. I am just realizing what a wonderful tool the computer is when it comes to checking for accuracy in a portrait. It has opened a whole new perspective on things! I am now able to place the image side by side with the photo and catch things that are much more difficult to see without it. Back to work!

Mary

I would be reluctant to do any corrections to a pastel after having been told by the customer that she likes it! Pastel is very easy to overwork and demolish!

However, I refer to the line which passes through the eyes as an axis. If you carefully look at the eye axis in the reference and in the drawing, you will see that the reference is more nearly horizontal than the drawing. Then, you will see how that has affected the whole facial drawing. But, I would not touch it at this point if I were you! Corrections are harder than drawing it right the first time. :)

Better luck next time
 

Thanks for the wise advise Lon. I agree that if I attempt to adjust anything on the face after the client has expressed her approval, I may be sorry. However, I do see what you were talking about as far as the axis of the eyes goes. I'll use this tip next time around. Thanks so much!

Mary

This is very nice, capturing a bright and sparkly personality.

You

Hi Steven,

Your advice is so helpful. You are very articulate and make it easy to visualize how to make corrections.

I have indeed passed this one on to the client already who was very pleased. However, anytime I am offered advice on how to improve my work I am very grateful. I am sure I will never look at an arm the same way again!

Much thanks.