Afternoon Reading
 

I just finished this painting. I was inspired by my mother while she was reading the Bible in the sun room when she visited me from my country this summer. I wish her keep this quiet peace during the rest of her life.

Oil on Canvas, 30x40.

Please give me some advices!!!

Hi Piety--
This is just lovely! The colors, the pose --very soothing and peaceful.

Two very small things that bother me a little:
--That little grey disc in the window on the upper left? (Not sure what it is, but it draws my eye over there)
-- The bottom right edge of her skirt appears to be outlined, perhaps that line could be softened/lost a bit just to the right of her shoe, where the skirt and floor seem to be similar values?

Again, Piety, this is beautiful. So nice to see you working in color!

Piety,
I

Piety, I am struck by this intimate portrait of your mom. It is so sweet. It has such gentle appeal and is painted so well.

Yes!
 

This is an exceptional portrait, and a beautiful portrayal of your mother. The serenity and introverted feeling really come across. I get an immediate feeling of your mother's presence. Your choice of colors--green, pink and gold--are quietly harmonious, yet there's a lot of richness in them.

I do agree that the metal disc in the upper left corner is puzzling. I'm not sure what it is, plus its placement is ambiguous because it is touching the top of the chair, yet we have to assume it is on the windowsill. Can you remove it without changing the meaning of the painting?

Alex

Thanks for warm encouragements from all of you!

I didn't realized until Terri said about those bothering things. I was just happy with "finishing" the work. And now I opened my eyes more clearly. I was bothered by them also. So I tried to fix them. I removed the white circle one(that was a souvonier silver color plate) as Alex said, softened the rim of skirt. Let me know it looks better or not.

Thanks again for nice advise.

Piety

Just Beautiful
 

Such a loving touch. Wonderful depiction of your mother. Mine is 92 and because it is difficult to move her into a light that makes a wonderful painting, the last one I did didn't illuminate her beauty. Perhaps I will post it. As much of the sage advice I have received from this Forum has been directed toward using the best photo references possible, I have not posted paintings done from poor photos.

Congratulations on a sensitive and wonderful painting of your mother.

Carol Norton

That is just lovely.

Changes
 

I really like the changes, Piety. They enhance the concept of the painting even more, if that is possible!

Carol, Kim and Alex, thanks for all of your warm words and responses! It's great to hear that.

I'm glad that removing of white plate was not hurting painting much.

Piety