Ballerina Dressing
 

This is oil on board with a textured ground. Size is 16" x 24". Started about eight years ago just prior to giving up painting during mid-life crisis. Got all my stuff out about two months ago. I'm thinking it is done. Interested in first impressions as well as thoughtful critisism. Attaboys ok, too, if any.

Ballerina Dressing - Reference
 

Wonderful!

The only area I think might need some work is the mom's face. I know the reference for that area isn't the best but I think in the painting it could use some more definition of the of the large turning planes of her head. It looks pretty flat right now.

Otherwise, a very expressive piece. I like how you substantially departed from the color in the reference to make a unique piece that stands well on its own.

Yep.
 

Thanks, Michele, for the feedback.

"The only area I think might need some work is the mom's face. I know the reference for that area isn't the best but I think in the painting it could use some more definition of the of the large turning planes of her head. It looks pretty flat right now. "

I'll change that. Your echoing others here. I didn't want it to be a double portrait. Was hoping I could get away with the face in shadow. Must model that face a little more. A bigger version can be seen at www.buildart.com.

Bob, I really like this painting. The warm, limited palette and the mysterious mother mesh nicely with the unfinished background decisions.

It reminds me of early allegories of youth and old age. I admire the "I'm young and cute and you're not!" attitude of this little girl. No wonder it was a precursor to a mid-life crisis! The best way to get through them is to paint your way through them. Please keep posting your work.

Bob,

I really like this too. I am not qualified to critique but I wanted to share my thoughts with you.

Hi Bob,

I like this a lot, especially the way you captured the little girl's expression.

Since you don't want to make a double portrait, you can get away with more by putting in the value changes for the different planes of the face, while leaving the edges very soft and out of focus. That will be accepted more by the viewer as how we perceive what we are not looking at.

I never would have attempted a painting from that photo - but I think what you did here is fantastic.