President Judge
 

Here's a current commission, being narrowed down to the ideal pose and crop. Never mind the background as it will change. The frame is borrowed from the Union League portrait because it happens to fit the same 40 x 30 inch size. It will likely be different too, but is represented here for visualization purposes.

Essentially I am looking for a comfortable, friendly portrait pose for a large courtroom. In these images, my radiant subject will be between 90% and 95% full scale. I don't want to make her appear too diminuitive, as she is of some importance. I also don't want her to be crowded into the frame at full scale. The canvas size is already a given.

The difference is subtle here, but in the top two images the photo is the same except for scale and crop. One is optimised for making her less small, and the other one makes her seem taller, with more surrounding space.

The next two are perhaps friendlier with hand positions she may prefer.

If any wish to discern and pick apart the subtleties here, please add to the discussion. I welcome all thoughts regarding these choices.

Thanks.

Garth

Garth,

My impressions are these:

I prefer the body language of the first images as opposed to the more straight on of the last.

As far as the scale - as you say the differences are subtle in the first two. However, each seem like they could use a little more space between the subject and the frame. Lately I've become a fan of giving more space around the subject. I think it imparts more importance to the subject.

I prefer the hands in the last image. the hands in the first images are not bad. I don't care for the hands in the third

I think my home run would be the first image with the fourth hands giving a bit more room to the edges.

By now you must have as many judges in your pocket as Vito Corleone.

Thanks Mike!

Valid impressions, all of them. I tend to concur about space denoting importance.

This is number eight or nine, depending on what's being counted.

Garth

Garth, I just saw this. She looks like a formidable judge, but a nice person to paint.

I would concur with Mike exactly. Her expression is much more natural and pleasant in images #1 and #2. A bit of space around her would look generous. And I like the hands in # 4 best.

The rosy color in her cheek and lips is good. I want to also suggest that you increase the coolness of the shine in her skin (to a rose-violet?) to contrast with the golden brown tones in her skin. There is so much brown in the woodwork, I think this would make her face come alive. Of course she is already alive--never mind!

I think the way she is leaning in 3 looks like she is more relaxed and comfortable, but her judges robe is cooperating better in 4 making her look slimmer and taller. Perhaps a mix of the two?

Thanks Alex, I wish I could add more space without making her too small for the wall. It's all a compromise of sorts.

Thanks Tammy, I have always liked #3 very much for those same reasons, so thanks for your vote. Actuallly 3 is chronolgically ahead of 1 / 2; even fresher and more relaxed, perhaps. 4 is the last of this selection. Sorry for any confusion.

Garth

Hi Garth,
I understand you want to pose her in a friendly manner. My take is with #1, which best presents herself professionally and personally. I mean, it doesn't help with the fact that she's dressed professionally, and that being too relaxed like in #3 and #4 doesn't present her appropriately. In fact, #4 seem a little too "c'mon..." in my point of view.
That's my take on the poses.

Hi Garth,

I generally don't give advice on the resource photos, so please forgive me if this post doesn't help you at all, or worst, if it makes things harder for you! This might indeed be my first and last attempt at helping fellow artists choosing their resource pictures :sunnysmil

Here is my personal opinion,
What is sure is that I would not use the face on #4.
I love the third photograph, the reason being that we can see a "real" smile. Her eyes don't say the same thing at all than in #1 !

(in #1 she kind of seems a bit bored and artificial, with this slight hard-dark-sad feeling into her look... I don't know if I'm expressing clearly...)

I understand, however, the importance of the commentaries that have been written by everyone until now. And there is no doubt that #1 face looks more formal. As this is meant to be a formal portrait, I therefore guess #1 position is the best, for the compositional purpose too.

To conclude, I would perharps advise you to bear in mind her inner light by looking closely at the 3rd photograph even when painting from the 1st photograph. That can help you recreate and reflect that inner light beauty on her face (you could increase a little little bit the smile on her mouth, and add something to her eyes to represent her friendly attitude).

I cannot find my English dictionary... this is so frustrating not being able to express precisely what I think !

Hope this helps you a bit

And now a word from the Judge:
 

Dear Marcus, and Karine,

I guess this boils down to personal and individual perceptions and preferences, and the reality that this varies from person to person; and it's part of the key of why life is so interesting by each of us expressing personal uniquenesses. You each have differing points of view, yet both are equally and mutually valid, to me.

1 (or 2), seems incrementally more formal and neutral in emotion, which may bode better for the formal, professonal courtroom exhibition venue. On the other hand, there seems to be a slightly greater quality of personal warmth, genuineness, compassion, and attentiveness to me in 3. Her pose is spontaneous and uncontrived, and to me , she is "listening". 3 by the way, was captured first, before 1.

The Judge herself, could go either way. She is concerned about looking more formal and professional, and feels she is perhaps somewhat relaxed in 3, or 4. She is leaning toward 1 or 2, but in general she is pleased overall by her appearance in each., as long as she is not perceived as "slouching". The image shared in 1 and 2 is less slouching, she feels. Upon second consideration she is now pleased with her hands in 1 or 2 as well. I am glad she is expressing she is comfortable with these images.

So what to do? I think I know her well enough to draw out the best qualities of several images into the painting, so that even if it is fundamentally composed out of 1, that it can contain subliminally certain "inner light" qualities of 3. What does everyone think?

Karine, by the way you write truly flawlessly in English! One would never guess you were lacking any dictionary or thesaurus. More power to you!

Not only has the Judge spoken, but you both have helped me. Thanks!

Garth

Which facial expression does she like? (Do you allow the subject input on this issue?)

At the rate you're going, Garth, there won't be any judges left in the country for anyone else to paint!