Girl with hands on hips
 

Hi all-

I've been studying and admiring and learning from everyone else's paintings, so it seemed like it was time to show one of my recent commissions.

The mom seemed not at all happy with this in progress, but thankfully is delighted with it now.

Andrea

This looks joyful and alive and nicely painted. Is there a way to not show clients your works in progress? Or at least only at various points of your choosing? I can not imagine the difficulty of finishing a painting that I felt the client was unhappy with. Good for you for pulling it off so well.

Janet

Hi Andrea,
This is lovely! Excellent work in the dress and the hands. The lighting is done very well. You've really captured the personality of this vivacious, friendly girl.
I had a similar experience with a client who wasn't happy with a work in progress, but I'm glad I showed it to her at that stage because I could judge better where to go from that point. She ended up being very thrilled with the final painting, though.
I'm so glad your client loves this. She should!

I like this as well and think you did a wonderful job capturing a child's pose that is not "artificial". By that I mean those typical "portrait poses" that tend to be overdone.

Her hand must have been some challenge. Can you post a closeup of that?

Andrea,

Congratulations on such a lovely portrait! You have a painterly feel, beautiful color harmonies - I especially appreciate the way you have handled the background.

Thanks
 

Thanks guys--

I actually make it a practice to show parents the painting in progress, because I learn a lot (and hopefully save time in the long run) from their responses--they'll pick up on small details that I wasn't noticing.

The mom originally wanted a more traditional pose, but I was happy to be able to convince her that this one expressed her daughter's unique personality more clearly.

thanks for the comment on the background, Chris. I've found myself more and more putting foliage behind subjects, and am struggling with how much detail to include. I always want to put more than my clients ask for, and am probably spending too much time on them.
this one, I really tried to keep as simple as possible.

Here's a closeup of the hand, Enzie. I was happy with how it worked out. I have struggled to capture the pudginess of children's hands, and was happy with the way this one turned out.