Watercolor study
 

Here we are!

This is my first work. It is a study taken from a very little photo of my girlfriend, Sara. I changed the font of the light (the quality of the source photo is awful), and this is my problem: can you help me to look for the matters in this sketch?

Don't be comprehensive. I just want the holy truth. I want to improve myself and learn from all of you. If anyone want, I'll send the source photo and the chaircoal sketch.

Consider that this is a study for a future oil underpainting.

Thanks to All,
Alessandro

Congratulations, you have captured a lot of her vivacious personality in your very first portrait...a tough thing to do. And you have courageously chosen a medium (watercolor) that is difficult for many portrait artists to handle.

Could you post your original photo and your charcoal drawing?

Sometimes when we begin our work with a poor photo resource, it is nearly impossible to overcome this handicap.

Could you take another photograph? If you do, use a single source of light and have your girlfriend pose with a closed-mouth smile. A really good photo would be so much easier for you to work from and it would increase your chance of making a successful painting.

:) Ciao

Dear Karin,

Thank you for your reply. Here is the original sketch, taken from al larger image of the scannered photo.

Soon I'll send the original photo (d**n, I don't remember where I put it).

A presto!