Pastel of 'Dana F'
 

This is the finish to the work in progress from this thread. The final size is 24X32" on Belgium Mist Wallis pastel paper mounted on gator board. Thanks for looking.

Ya know, after looking at it, I checked to see what it would look like with less borders. (about half) What do you guys think?

Jimmie,
Dana F. is such an interesting subject. You have done a great job in capturing the image and the attitutude. Great job. I vote for the narrower borders. The wider borders make her look too "boxed in".

Great. The balance of warm and cool shades of skin tone is marvellous. What a captivating portrait.. Inspiring.

I love it Jimmie. Your paintings are compelling and edgy. I vote for the thinner borders as well.

Jimmie, it's terrific! :) . . .just love how you handled the hands, her expression, the tension at her shoulders and shadow at her hips...

I'm liking the thinner borders too.

HI Jimmie -

It looks great!

The face and personality come across much better in no. 2 with less border. On the other hand, if you are trying for the feeling of being boxed in, no. 1 works.

I personally vote for no. 2.

I also like the thinner borders, but still feel she looks boxed in. I'd move the borders a bit farther away from her.

Very nice Jimmie. I agree she's an interesting subject. Well done. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Jerome

Another compelling portrait Jimmie; I like the thinner borders too. The feeling of bieing boxed in doesn't bother me at all, she's edgy and the borders enhance that effect.

Jean

Thanks for the comments and opinions. The borders giving the boxed in feeling is ok. This girl is a very strong feminist. The red stripe can be a sign of her views and attitude. It's also a sign of freedom for me. As I explained in the "work in progress" thread, I've never been this bold with my work. The red stripe creates an abstract element because it does'nt form to the body, but still think it works. It may be a small step, but I see it as a way to enjoy my work and to take a chance, even something so trivial, not being concerned if someone else will like it. Going the same red for the borders would have been too much, so I went with a rustic red which is used in the body and the base color of the gray background.

I will keep the borders smaller, so I guess the size is now 21X32". :bewildere