Sisters
 

I thought twice about sharing this with you but decided to be brave.

I did what everyone here preaches not to do and settled for a terrible resource photo. (My head is hung in shame)

But, I am in it this far, I want to stick with it. I must say, I enjoyed the challenge. I know, I am sick.

This is a 20 x 24 oil on linen.

Thanks for looking and let me know what you think.

Here is the beast I painted from.

I think I have a glare in the photo of my painting because the person on our left isn't as washed out in the painting as she appears to be. Their skin colors are very close to being the same in person.

Unfortunately I posted this too close to the time I needed to deliver it . The final result can be seen in the Unveilings (all members) section of the forum under the title "A Special Commission"

Even though I can not make any changes to this painting, if you have a suggestion I would still like to hear what it would be so I can store it in the "keep in mind for next painting" file in my brain.

Thanks.

Well done
 

I think you have done remarkably well with your iffy photo source. Good decisions include elongating sleeve and simplifying sweater. For future, I'd like to see the backgound on the left side go darker. I'm sure your clients are thrilled!

Thank you Jeanine,

It is funny that you picked out the background on the left. I played with the thought of making it darker but decided against it. This is why. The painting will hang in a very large, high ceiling, formal room with one wall that is completely windows. As you look at the painting, the windows are on the left so I wanted the girls to look as if that window was their light source. Does this change anything for you?

I hope it isn't a big distraction.

As for my clients, the girls paternal grandparents, yes, they are thrilled. However I am told their son, the girls father, is not.

He doesn't like the artist's last name.

By the way, these lovely girls are my daughter's from a previous marriage. It was a sweet commission.

Thanks again for your comments.

Light Pattern
 

While your light source is from the left off-canvas, you can still make the backgound darker on the left side close to the lit side of face. The general rule is dark (background on left)>light (face in the light)>dark (face in shadow)>light (backround on right). Rules can of course be broken, but in your case, I think it would have enhanced your beautiful painting.
And I think you have a lovely name!

Janel, I agree with Jeanine that you did a marvelous job, and I also like your decision to make the older girl's sleeve longer. It gets rid of that distracting highlight on the arm. Their faces are just great, too. I hope you have decent copies of this for yourself. And what can I say - some people are never happy. I'd think the results would have allowed their dad to rise above petty considerations. How nice that their grandparents asked you to do this! At least someone on that side has good taste...

Jeanine,

Thank you for the general rule of thumb, I did not know that and will keep it in mind for future reference. And, I like my name now too.

Leslie,

Thank you for the pat on the back as well. I was worried, because I didn't get too many remarks on it, that people didn't like it so I really appreciate the positive response. It was a challenge to do because of the reference being such a bugger.

As for their grandparents, I was so touched to get the phone call asking if I would do this for them. It says a lot.

But, it is also a great opportunity for me to get a lot of exposure. Their friends and house guests are exactly the people I want my paintings in front of. They entertain a lot and this painting is hanging in the center of where their get togethers take place. So, this was a big commission for me in more ways than one.

Deep down I know their dad likes it as well. He was a big fan of my artwork, in fact he still has artwork I created for him 15 years ago when we were married hanging in his office. He just doesn't like my current name hanging in his parents house. I chuckled to myself when I entertained the idea of making my name vibrate. Hee hee, but I would never actually do that.

Thanks again.